The Phoenix Suns introduced technology to enhance the game-day experience for people with visual impairments earlier this year. Baseball fans now have that same option at Chase Field.
The Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation collaborated with OneCourt to provide haptic devices in the form of tablets to help baseball enthusiasts feel the action on the field. Vibrations from the device indicate pitches, hits and runs.
Antyush Bollini is a co-founder of OneCourt.
“So it essentially uses a combination of trackable vibrations or haptics, as well as some audio that we are generating from the data that fans can then listen to at the same time as they feel the action," he said.
Taylor Merwin, a community relations and partner programs coordinator with the Diamondbacks, says their goal is to provide more opportunities to enjoy the sport.
“I think it's just the idea that every fan deserves to feel fully connected to this team. And, you know, some of us are blessed with the ability to see the team on the field with their eyes, but we don't want to exclude that experience from those who can't," he said.
Reservations for the tech can be made on OneCourt’s website or on a first-come, first-served basis at the ballpark.
