Mobile phone network T-Mobile has announced that fans at this year’s T-Mobile Home Run Derby in San Diego on 11th July will be able to step onto the field in a new virtual reality (VR) experience created for the event.

T-Mobile Home Run Derby VR Experience stars 2015 Champion Todd Frazier as he hits some long balls out of Petco Park. Using a Samsung Gear VR head-mounted display (HMD) baseball fans will be right on the field to see Frazier in action. The VR Experience will be available at Major League Baseball (MLB) All-Star Fan Fest in San Diego and in 2,200 T-Mobile stores across the US.

“Treating our customers like VIPs and changing the game is what T-Mobile is all about, and that’s exactly what we’re doing at this year’s Home Run Derby!” said John Legere, president and CEO of T-Mobile. “We’re taking the Derby out of the ballpark and letting fans step up to the plate with 2015 Champion Todd Frazier in a first-of-its-kind VR experience for the Home Run Derby. Then, fans can step out on the field with the best big leaguers through our T-Mobile Social Lounge. It’s redefining how you can get in the game, and it’s 100% all for our customers!”

Getting up close to sports stars and the action at events has helped push VR’s appeal. Companies like NextVR live-stream matches on the Gear VR, and later this Year NBC Sports will be showcasing the Rio 2016 Olympics on the headset as well. While it won’t be live, the Rio 2016 Olympics will feature 85 hours of 360-degree footage for sports fans to enjoy.

For all the latest VR sports news keep reading VRFocus.

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