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Six from Six: Gameops.com Team Reviews

In 2006 Gameops.com will feature six game reviews from six teams around sports. We have selected teams across different sports, leagues, levels and markets to hopefully give readers a good variety of subjects.

For these game reviews, we visited each team for a game with one goal: Find six things each team is doing well and discuss how other teams can find similar success by following their lead.

The entire Six from Six Series is now available in a printable document on the Gameops.com Store.

Six from Six: Pittsburgh Pirates (MLB)

Game Notes

PNC is a spectacular ballpark, with a view of the bridge, boats going by and the skyline of downtown. The right field bleachers give way to the Allegheny River and like San Francisco, it has its own version of a wet home run.

The reviewed game had a lively and enthusiastic Friday night crowd. Nearly a full house enjoyed a good game and post-game fireworks added to their show. It was a night that if you were a fan sampling the event, you would certainly come back.

The game was July 28th, 2006 and was reviewed by Gameops.com Editor Jon Cudo.

The Lessons from the Pirates

Lesson 1: Spice up your most reoccurring elements
Lesson 2: Use different combinations of technology, performers and sponsorship
Lesson 3: Have fun with your contestants
Lesson 4: Sell your board first, then sell everything else
Lesson 5: Building on your success
Lesson 6: Profit from your elements

Pittsburgh Pirates – Six From Six

Lesson 1: Spice up your most reoccurring elements

Lesson 2: Use different combinations of technology, performers and sponsorship

Lesson 3: Have fun with your contestants

Lesson 4: Sell your board first, then sell everything else

Lesson 5: Building on your success

The Pirates Pierogies are the live race version here in Pittsburgh, like the famous sausages in Milwaukee. Live races are not new and a lot of teams have adapted and connected their local flavor to a race and/or sponsor. The live races can be campy, funny, interesting...and they can take on a life of their own.

The Pirates go above and beyond with their live race, not only varying the endings, but producing video storylines and connecting different themes. On this night, the we saw the Pierogies get caught up into video games. Each of the four was shown in a video game like Asteroids or Donkey Kong. It really made this version special.

I really loved this piece at the Pirates game. It is derivative of a lot of races but it is also very unique, custom to the town, funny, interesting and was both a video and live event. It was one of the elements you could see that the Pirates Staff has had a lot of fun with.

Lesson: Continue to update and freshen your proven material.

Lesson 6: Profit from your elements

The entire Six from Six Series is now available in a printable document on the Gameops.com Store.

As noted in the introduction, anyone who was sampling the Pirates on this night would have been entertained. The show is enjoyable and full, while not overpowering. They have a well-balanced show that a purist and a non-baseball fan could both enjoy.

Other notes from PNC Park

Personalized open of the city, with the destruction of the current teams along with national league rivals done with a pirate ship theme.
Organ Music – very effective to the crowd. Good variations. Very sporadic, yet very effective with the crowd.The organ is really effective here. Used about once every other inning.
Scoreboard graphics are very well done. Pirates scroll, font and symbols connect it all.
Host out in the college cover does trivia. Trivia was hard, which I like.
Interactive team is also very into the show. Loading t-shirts have that extra something as they worked the crowd. Unlike Detroit it doesn't feel as much like they are really super into the game…rather, it comes across that they really enjoy performing.
Barry Bonds is not popular in Pittsburgh.
I love the old school flat hats circa Bill Madlock.

Thanks to Pirates Game Operations Director, Eric Wolff, for his hospitality and flexibility. I had a difficult trip to Pittsburgh and he and the Pirates staff were very helpful and accommodating.

Lesson 1: Build around a Theme (Blue Jackets)
Lesson 2: Great Script Writing Makes a Great Show (Blue Jackets)
Lesson 3: Listen to the fans (Blue Jackets)
Lesson 4: Use Pre-Game to enhance your show (Blue Jackets)
Lesson 5: Use time wisely (Blue Jackets)
Lesson 6: Honor fan participation (Blue Jackets)
Lesson 7: Music ties the show together (Blazers)
Lesson 8: Multiple openings keep the games fresh (Blazers)
Lesson 9: Allow flexibility in your game script (Blazers)
Lesson 10: Connect with the sport and league (Blazers)
Lesson 11: Use simple effects for bright results with lighting effects (Blazers)
Lesson 12: Position Yourself for Success (Blazers)
Lesson 13: Careful placement of elements (Shock)
Lesson 14: Be creative with your premium Items (Shock)
Lesson 15: Setting up powerful moments (Shock)
Lesson 16: Cultivate your staff into your best fans (Shock)
Lesson 17: Stand until you score, bonding your fans (Shock)
Lesson 18: Using Different Voices When Talking to Your Fans (Shock)
Lesson 19: Know your fans and connect with them (Rangers)
Lesson 20: Tell your fans about your players (Rangers)
Lesson 21: Shock your fans (Rangers)
Lesson 22: Customize the music you use the most (Rangers)
Lesson 23: Play off your competition (Rangers)
Lesson 24: Have a back-up plan for EVERY contest (Rangers)
Lesson 25: Spice up your most reoccuring elements (Pirates)
Lesson 26: Use different combinations of technology, performers and sponsorship (Pirates)
Lesson 27: Have fun with your contestants (Pirates)
Lesson 28: Sell your board first, then sell everything else (Pirates)
Lesson 29: Building on your success (Pirates)
Lesson 30: Profit from your elements (Pirates)
Lesson 31: Premiums that make a difference (Devil Rays)
Lesson 32: Make your building as interesting as possible (Devil Rays)
Lesson 33: REAL fans get the good stuff (Devil Rays)
Lesson 34: The pre-game matters (Devil Rays)
Lesson 35: Introduce your teams (Devil Rays)
Lesson 36: Keep an eye on the future (Devil Rays)

Six From Six Series from Gameops.com

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The entire Six from Six Series is now available in a printable document on the Gameops.com Store.

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