The Reds have launched Ballpark Express, a "first-of-its-kind automated concession pickup station" at Great American Ball Park, according to Steve Watkins of the CINCINNATI BUSINESS COURIER. Fans at the ballpark "log into the MLB Ballpark app, click on the Ballpark Express concessions pickup section and browse the offerings to place their order." They can "choose from two locations." Fans "enter their payment card information in the app." They are "notified on their phone when the order is ready, typically within two minutes or so, and they go to the station to pick up their order from one of the lockers there." Fans "scan a bar code from their phone, which allows them to open the locker and grab their order." To this point, the lockers "aren't heated or cooled." But Delaware North GM at Great American Ball Park Don Dierig said that it "hasn't been an issue so far." The Reds "began offering the convenient service on Labor Day." It will "continue for the final nine-game homestand" beginning Friday against the Pirates. The Reds in '18 will "roll it out in a much bigger way." Reds COO Phil Castellini "envisions putting one station on the upper-level concourse, one on the lower level and several at various concession stands that offer only items sold at those specific stands." But at least one station will be "able to provide food and beverages from any concession stand" in the ballpark. Castellini said that the team "originally planned to roll it out next year." But Ohio-based Apex Supply Chain Technologies "got it ready early and the Reds decided to test it now, when crowds are smaller." Castellini said that MLB "told the Reds that Ballpark Express was the best launch of a mobile application among any of its teams this season" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 9/13).
