Fort Myers, FL – March 23, 2015 – JetBlue Park at Fenway South: Mookie Betts (50) of the Boston Red Sox during a spring training game
(Photo by Allen Kee / ESPN Images)
Major League Baseball and Google’s Daydream are debuting on Thursday an original virtual reality series entitled “On the Verge,” providing an up-close look at some of baseball’s best young talent.
The first episodes — available in the MLB.com At Bat VR Daydream app for Daydream View and cardboard headsets and also in 2D on MLB’s YouTube page — feature Boston Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts, Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Josh Bell, Minnesota Twins pitcher Jose Berrios and San Diego Padres outfielder Manuel Margot. Not one of them has yet to reach his 25th birthday.
Featuring millennial players by having fans use technology can help baseball engage a new generation of fans looking for immersive content. “On the Verge” provides just that not only with game action in 360-degree VR shot from the dugout and stands, but also with storytelling.
For Margot, that meant being able to tell his story in Spanish so fans could learn about his journey from the Dominican Republic and also on the basepaths as he studies the tendencies of pitchers and navigates the early part of his career.
Fans can feel like they’re on the field, near the cage during batting practice and even in the Fenway Park clubhouse while other players are changing in the background.
Jump, Google’s platform for VR video capture that provides cameras that don’t take up much space and automated stitching, was used to capture these moments, according to Google director of VR video Matt Apfel.
Google has previously collaborated with MLB on the MLB.com At Bat VR app that provides viewing live games in a virtual environment and the MLB.com Home Run Derby VR video game.
And more is to come with additional “On the Verge” episodes to be released later this season.
