MLB.com, the official website of Major League Baseball, earlier today launched major enhancements to its live pitch-by-pitch application, Gameday, highlighted by the addition of user-controlled 3-D capabilities.

Fans now have the unique ability to control their view by manipulating away from any of the three pre-defined positions of the batter-pitcher match-up in a variety of ways, such as zooming in or out, circling around the action along a full 360 degree rotation or tilting up or down, without stopping or delaying the real-time game action. The pre-set camera angles automatically adjust based on each batter’s and pitcher’s individual batting side and throwing hand, respectively.

Additionally, Gameday now identifies every pitch thrown during a game through a color-coded scheme as well as a mouse-over feature that allows fans to see the pitch type alongside detailed data referencing the trajectory, velocity and location during a pitching sequence from release to conclusion.

This unparalleled level of detail for every pitch thrown during each game is born from exclusive real-time pitch data generated directly from every Major League ballpark using the Pitch-f/x system. The new 3-D display was created through proprietary software developed in partnership with Plug-In Media of Brighton, England.

“We are excited to launch the latest enhancements to one of our most popular applications, Gameday,” said Dinn Mann, Executive Vice President, Content, MLB.com. “These developments give fans unprecedented individual control over their interaction with the game on the field and will further their insights of the live, batter-pitcher duels that make up the heartbeat of every baseball game.”

Source: MLB.com

Grand Prize Winner Will Lead Crowd During 7th Inning Stretch of the 2008 All-Star Game

Major League Baseball Properties and Baby Ruth(R) today announced the semi-finalists in the nationwide Baby Ruth “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” Video Contest. The semi-finalists represent some of baseball’s most creative and passionate fans. The national video contest is sponsored by Baby Ruth, the Official Candy Bar of Major League Baseball, in celebration of the song’s 100th anniversary. The semi-finalists’ videos were selected by a panel of judges from MLB, MLB.com and Baby Ruth.

Through June 30th, fans will have the chance to vote for their favorite video at MLB.com/babyruth. The three videos with the most votes will be deemed Finalists and perform on Monday, July 14th at 10am EDT in the finale judging event at the 2008 DHL All-Star FanFest during the 2008 All-Star Week, where a panel of judges will choose one grand prize winner. Each finalist will receive travel and hotel accommodations plus tickets to the 2008 DHL All-Star FanFest and All-Star Game for him/herself and a guest to New York City.

The Grand Prize Winner will receive the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to lead the singing of the beloved song during the 7th Inning Stretch of the 2008 All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium, the final season at the historic stadium.

A complete list of the “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” finalists (in alphabetical order):

        NAME                    VIDEO NAME                    HOMETOWN
    Aaron Aviles             I Just Love Life             Los Angeles, CA
  Christina D'Anza        Baby Ruth, City to City         Spotsylvania, VA
     Tyler Duke                 Katie Casey                  Weston, WI
   Crystal Gibbs            Baby Ruth Checkers             Fort Bragg, NC
   Chad Gunderson             All Star Dream              Sherman Oaks, CA
   Robert Huffman      Katie Casey was Baseball Mad        Birmingham, AL
                                (Harmonica)
  Nick Straatmann         A Trip Through History          Villa Ridge, MO
    Adam Wilbur               Baby Ruth-ulele               Medford, NY
  Dave Zelechoski        What Are You Waitin' For          Lewisburg, PA

The “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” song was originally composed in 1908 by Jack Norworth and Albert Von Tilzer, neither of whom had ever been to a Major League Baseball game. The song is the third most frequently sung tune in the United States after “Happy Birthday” and the “Star Spangled Banner,” and has sold over 10 million copies in sheet music and/or records. Over the past one hundred years more than 400 musicians in every conceivable genre have recorded the song including Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, LL Cool J, The Goo Goo Dolls and Jimmy Buffett. The original lyrics are now part of the collection at the National Baseball Hall of Fame Library in Cooperstown.

Source: Major League Baseball Properties

Web site: http://www.mlb.com/
http://www.babyruth.com/