• Loading stock data...
Monday, July 14, 2025

MLB Gives Fans Ability to Cheer — or Boo — Virtually During World Series

  • When the 2020 MLB season began without fans, the league rolled out its ‘Cheer At The Ballpark’ feature.
  • The feature, which allows fans to cheer, boo or clap virtually, saw more than 71 million fan reactions on MLB.com this season.
cheer-at-the-ballpark
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

When the 2020 MLB season began in July with empty stands, the league still managed to bring its homebound fans into the ballpark to cheer — or boo — during games. 

MLB’s “Cheer at the Ballpark” feature resonated with baseball fans so much, the league has decided to incorporate it into this year’s World Series. 

The league launched “Cheer at the Ballpark” ahead of Opening Day on July 23 across the MLB.com website, Gameday app and various social media links. It allows fans to engage with their team’s games by alerting scoreboard operators at ballparks about their reactions. The operators receive a live interface reflecting fans’ thoughts, enabling them to adjust the type of artificial fan noise inserted into the relatively empty stadiums. At Globe Life Field — the site of this year’s World Series between the Tampa Bay Rays and Los Angeles Dodgers — Game 1 drew 11,388 fans, roughly 28% capacity at the 40,000-seat ballpark

For those logged in, other fan-interactive features on “Cheer at the Ballpark” include users being able to see what percentage of them are rooting for certain teams while the three reactions — cheer, boo or clap — appear on screen, akin to the heart emojis that circulate on an Instagram Live video. The cheering option pops up alongside the Gameday score graphic and pitch-charting visual, and appears on all 30 clubs’ team websites. Teams can then share links across their various social media platforms. 

With “Cheer at the Ballpark,” Vasanth Williams, chief product officer at MLB, says that its postseason presence is meant for the majority of people who are unable to attend this year’s Fall Classic.

“What we think about every day is, ‘How do we bring the excitement of baseball to the fans — no matter where they are?’” Williams said. “Just because we have [28%] of the fans doesn’t mean that the problem’s solved and fans are back. It’s not, and we still think we have to solve [that problem].”

Originally, the feature’s shelf-life was the regular season — but that changed come October. Entering the Wild Card Series, MLB made the decision to extend the feature into the postseason after it generated more than 71 million fan reactions on MLB.com during the regular season. 

“It’s not the same as sitting next to your best friends in the stands, but to create a sense of fan community and a sense of engagement and their favorite teams, it will help reinforce what will be a unique season,” Chris Marinak, chief operations and strategy officer at MLB, told ESPN in July.

Entering Game 2 of the World Series, Williams says that “Cheer at the Ballpark’s” popularity has increased considerably throughout the postseason. He was unable to comment on the feature’s exact growth, but stated that engagement has risen series-by-series, beginning with the Wild Card games and through the Fall Classic.

digital-bobbleheads-mlb

Sports Look to Keep Fans Engaged By Embracing Digital Bobbleheads

MLB teams have begun creating their own digital bobbleheads to keep supporters…
October 6, 2020

Regardless of how the season ends, Williams has already said that “Cheer at the Ballpark” will continue on into the 2021 campaign. While knowing that 2021 will look — and provide — different challenges than 2020, he and his team have already begun strategizing numerous ways to improve the feature. Following the World Series’ conclusion, those talks will only accelerate as MLB waits to figure out where most fans will be tuning into games next season.

“This is the time where we really think through these problems, get feedback and then regroup and figure this one out,” Williams said. “That’s how we’re thinking about it. You’ll see an evolution of it in some way, depending on where we are in this ongoing cycle. I do expect some kind of an experience that will continue to evolve that for the fans, and not have it be exactly the same product as it was before.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

MLBPA Chief Says League Missing Chance to Build On Success

Union leaders again call out perceived moves toward a salary cap.
exclusive

Cal Raleigh’s $11M Season a Steal As He Slugs His Way Into..

The Mariners star considers himself an everyday guy, while his play isn’t.
Phillies

Replacements Have MLB at Whopping 80 All-Stars

Players have criticized the replacement process as a popularity contest. 

MLB’s HR Derby’s $1M Prize Tops Salaries for Three Rising Stars

Three derby competitors could more than double their 2025 salary.

Featured Today

May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sydney McLaughin-Levrone (USA) reacts before the women's 100m hurdles during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field
exclusive

Track’s New Money Is Running Into Old Problems

The sport’s big-money era has hit some speed bumps in 2025.
Bobbleheads are seen at Vintage Indy Sports, Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Speedway. The local sports memorabilia store opened recently.
July 12, 2025

Baseball’s Bobbleheads Are the Center of the Collectibles Universe

Baseball’s most important keepsake drives long lines—and big business.
Rimouski, QC - JUNE 1: Final Game of the 2025 Memorial Cup between the Medicine Hats Tigers and the London Knights on June 1, 2025, at the Colisée Financière Sun Life in Rimouski, Qc.
July 11, 2025

CHL Is Facing a ‘Pandora’s Box’ of Questions Amid NCAA Talent Departure

As players defect to college, the Canadian Hockey League won’t cede ground.
Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.
July 9, 2025

The Torpedo Bat Business Is Still Going Strong: ‘Here to Stay’

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.

UFC’s Vegas Sphere Fight Should Set Records

The MMA fight has big aspirations and a budget to match.
August 13, 2024

Duael’s One-On-One Racing Brackets Are Yet Another Stab at Saving Track

Duael will debut in March 2025 with the inaugural Duael 100.
September 8, 2024

Guardian Caps Make NFL Debut

Multiple NFL players wore Guardian Caps over their helmets Sunday.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
August 11, 2024

Guardian Caps Have Arrived in the NFL—Ahead of Schedule

Colts star Jonathan Taylor strapped one on for Sunday’s preseason game.
August 5, 2024

How Omega Timing Determined Noah Lyles Won Olympic Gold

Omega touches every corner of the Olympics.
The Adidas ball has changed over the years.
July 25, 2023

The Most Advanced Tech at the Women’s World Cup Might Surprise You

This year’s OCEAUNZ introduces connected ball technology to the women’s game.
Sponsored

Rewriting the Sports Media Playbook

WSC’s highlight automation improved Clemson’s content strategy and overall growth.