quigley0 Posted June 22, 2005 Share Posted June 22, 2005 Old ballgame has newfangled twist Here?s one for the record books. The first two innings of the July 16th game between the Kansas City T-Bones and the Schaumburg Flyers will be played virtually. Equipped with Microsoft Xbox game controllers instead of baseball gloves and bats, two video gamers will climb into recliner chairs around home plate at CommunityAmerica Ballpark and slug it out on the park?s 16- by 24-foot video screen. Their scores from playing two innings of MVP Baseball 2005 on an Xbox will stand when the T-Bones and Flyers take the field to finish the last seven innings of the game. Mike Stone, commissioner of the minor-league baseball Northern League, said the idea ?brings new meaning to the term ?fan involvement.? ? The idea for the promotion came from the 6-year-old niece of Bryan Williams, director of community relations for the T-Bones. ?It was a fun way to get my niece involved in things I do every day,? Williams said. ?Then it just grew and grew and took off.? T-Bones fans began competing last weekend for a chance to take the field. The two finalists will be chosen after competing for high scores at CompUSA stores in Overland Park and Independence. The competition continues through July 6. A playoff for the top 16 players is scheduled for July 9. ?There?s never been anything like it in baseball,? said Bryan Stoffel, sales manager at CompUSA?s Overland Park store. In addition to providing stats and players from major-league baseball teams, the Xbox version of MVP Baseball 2005 also allows players to create their own teams. The T-Bones are creating two Xbox teams with the statistics and even facial characteristics of T-Bones and Flyers players, Williams said. The gamers will be allowed to choose their lineups, and the play-by-play will be called by stadium announcers. ?Everybody in the world is going to want to do this after us,? Williams said. While the virtual baseball game is a first for professional baseball, flashy marketing isn?t new for the T-Bones. Last year, the team auctioned rights to a night in a fan?s honor on eBay. The winner found his likeness on 3,000 bobblehead dolls. ?The Northern League is known for its unique promotions, and Kansas City is setting a new standard,? Stone said. The details are still being worked out, but the Flyers will be allowed to choose which of the top gamers will play for the suburban Chicago team. There will be a lot at stake for the two players. The Flyers came from behind to beat the T-Bones in the best-of-five Northern League playoffs in 2004. ?It?s kind of a grudge match,? Williams said. SOURCE http://www.realcities.com/mld/krwashington/11944265.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thechitowncubs Posted June 22, 2005 Share Posted June 22, 2005 Go Flyers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JakeM741 Posted June 22, 2005 Share Posted June 22, 2005 lol, thats SO cool! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Argote Posted June 22, 2005 Share Posted June 22, 2005 weird :blink: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galley Posted June 22, 2005 Share Posted June 22, 2005 The Xbox version has a "create team" mode? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerLG Posted June 22, 2005 Share Posted June 22, 2005 So if one team is down 30-0 after two, the score stands? I find this a terrible stunt. What if the person playing as the visiting team tanks on purpose so the home team has an advantage? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kylejn Posted June 22, 2005 Share Posted June 22, 2005 Hmm, I'm conflicted. On the one hand, it seems like it'd be a really cool thing to see. However, stunts like these that affect the actual game are akin to throwing a wrench into a running engine. It's just gonna throw the whole minor league in that area into shambles. Still, though, it sounds sorta neat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starman Posted June 22, 2005 Share Posted June 22, 2005 I hope tickets are free that day. Anyone remember the OLD MLB commercial where two guys are watching robots play baseball? Ironic. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdsams Veteran Posted June 22, 2005 Veteran Share Posted June 22, 2005 So if one team is down 30-0 after two, the score stands? I find this a terrible stunt. What if the person playing as the visiting team tanks on purpose so the home team has an advantage? 586103450[/snapback] im sure the winner will get some prize Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vincent Posted June 22, 2005 Share Posted June 22, 2005 If i wanted to see a video game i'd stay home. I don't pay for the ticket to see a videogame i pay for something called a "sport" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rudy Posted June 22, 2005 Share Posted June 22, 2005 lame Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BroChaos Veteran Posted June 22, 2005 Veteran Share Posted June 22, 2005 honestly, i don't think this is a very good idea. i would rather watch the real teams play. i play baseball on my xbox all the time, i don't need to pay to watch others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#Michael Posted June 23, 2005 Share Posted June 23, 2005 Seriously I live like 5 minutes from Alexian field where the Flyers play....they are a great team to go and watch. Schaumburg Flyers Home Page Minor league baseball, especially the independent leagues, are great games. I just wish they were doing this here instead of at the other teams park. I would love to get the chance to take part in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quigley0 Posted June 23, 2005 Author Share Posted June 23, 2005 haha, some day, all sports will be played virtually! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JakeM741 Posted June 23, 2005 Share Posted June 23, 2005 haha, some day, all sports will be played virtually! 586106760[/snapback] doubt it :happy: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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