--- title: MLB Go-Ahead Entry | 6th Hashtag Sports Awards description: Global awards recognizing excellence in fan engagement and celebrating creativity across sports marketing, media & entertainment image: https://www.hashtagsports.com/hubfs/Assets-2024-shortlisted/aldyemzV.png --- MLB Go-Ahead Entry | 6th Hashtag Sports Awards # MLB Go-Ahead Entry [MLB](https://www.mlb.com/) The 6th Annual Awards Nominee ✨ - Best Use of Technology ![Image](https://www.hashtagsports.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Assets-2024-shortlisted/aldyemzV.png?width=1920&height=1080&name=aldyemzV.png) Share [** ](https://www.hashtagsports.com/awards/shortlist-2024/mlb-go-ahead-entry#) [** ](https://www.hashtagsports.com/awards/shortlist-2024/mlb-go-ahead-entry#) [** ](https://www.hashtagsports.com/awards/shortlist-2024/mlb-go-ahead-entry#) ABOUT THIS ENTRY MLB’s Go-Ahead Entry is a first-of-its-kind, free-flowing ingress solution for live sports and entertainment venues. It includes a combination of free-flow security screening technology and facial authentication-based ticket validation, which results in quicker, hands-free entry into the ballpark. MLB’s Go-Ahead Entry uses a camera that identifies any opted-in fan as a registered member as they walk in - alone or with their group - automatically validating tickets once identified. Fans don’t need to stop, present a ticket, or get out their phone - they just keep walking without breaking stride. As a voluntary opt-in program, fans can complete a one-time enrollment in the MLB Ballpark app, where fans simply take a selfie. Any tickets tied to their MLB Ballpark app account will be automatically enrolled for Go-Ahead Entry at any participating ballpark. ![Image](https://www.hashtagsports.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Assets-2024-shortlisted/aldyemzV.png?width=1920&height=1080&name=aldyemzV.png) How does this represent “Excellence in Engagement”? With the 2023 MLB season’s rule changes, the product on the field has changed. The faster pace and more exciting play led to game attendance being up 9.6%. Shorter games are more family-friendly, so group attendance is on the rise. However, we know from fan surveys that one of the highlights of their experience is the moment they look up and are in awe of our beautiful ballparks. That said, MLB was not capitalizing on this moment to create an emotional connection with our fans, because their gate entry experience is currently a heads-down moment, with both fans and gate attendants wrestling with phones and ticket scanners. MLB Go-Ahead Entry aims to match the evolution on the field with innovations to the fan’s first impression as they enter the ballpark, creating an eyes-up, free-flow, entry experience that deepens human connections with our fans and creates a magical ingress moment, where groups and families can walk in together without breaking stride. Objective MLB Go-Ahead Entry was designed for fans and staff to raise their eyes and experience the wonders of the ballpark as they enter the gate. MLB Go-Ahead Entry allows a family to walk into the ballpark together without having to fumble around for their tickets or even having to get their phones out of their pockets. Fans entering through Go-Ahead Entry lanes are treated like VIP members of the baseball family. Through our partnerships with leading technology providers and the power of the MLB Ballpark app, a fan’s arrival experience will be transformed into a magical moment, allowing them to enjoy what they came to see - the game and their favorite players. Strategy & Execution The first part of going to a baseball game is a fan’s first impression as they enter the ballpark. MLB Go-Ahead Entry offers fans a future arrival experience today. Fans don’t have to stop to scan their tickets or even pull out their phones to show proof for entry. Instead, MLB Go-Ahead Entry allows fans to enjoy the unique atmosphere of the ballpark from the moment they approach the stadium, whether it be alone, with friends, or with family. As the first league to install this new, first-of-its-kind free-flow ballpark entry experience, MLB is providing yet another blueprint for the sports world to adopt and emulate. **Organizations** - Major League Baseball **Links** -   Website **Credits** **[Karri Zaremba](https://www.mlb.com/)** Senior Vice President, Product – Ballpark Experience & Ticketing MLB **[Jen Kim](https://www.mlb.com/)** Senior Director, Product - Ticket Distribution MLB **[Lindsay Clouser](https://www.mlb.com/)** Senior Director, Product Communications & Operations MLB **[Sara Hoblik](https://www.mlb.com/)** Director, Product - Ticket Management & Phygital Experiences MLB **[Mike Fee](https://www.mlb.com/)** Product Manager, Access CTRL & Phygital Experience MLB **[Chris DuBois](https://www.mlb.com/)** Product Manager, Venue Experience MLB **[Patrick Callan](https://www.mlb.com/)** Senior Product Manager, MLB Ballpark App MLB **[Eric Brown](https://www.mlb.com/)** Vice President, Product Design MLB **[John Sinsabaugh](https://www.mlb.com/)** Principal Product Designer MLB **[Paul Martino](https://www.mlb.com/)** Senior Product Designer MLB **[Michael Harper](https://www.mlb.com/)** Senior Product Designer MLB **[Demian Neidetcher](https://www.mlb.com/)** Vice President, Software Engineering MLB **[Juan Garduno](https://www.mlb.com/)** Software Engineer MLB **[Sean Cain](https://www.mlb.com/)** Principal Engineer, Ballpark MLB **[Justin Ramos](https://www.mlb.com/)** Senior Software Engineer MLB **[Eunice Martin del Campo](https://www.mlb.com/)** Consultant MLB **[Byron Becker](https://www.mlb.com/)** Software Engineer MLB **[Karli Niemann](https://www.mlb.com/)** Software Engineer MLB **[Jason Jamieson](https://www.mlb.com/)** Senior Software Engineer MLB **[Doug Monsalud](https://www.mlb.com/)** Associate Software Engineer, Ballpark (Android) MLB **[Mike O’Connell](https://www.mlb.com/)** Test Engineer MLB **[Stephen Ortiz](https://www.mlb.com/)** Senior Software Test Engineer MLB **[Sanket Patel](https://www.mlb.com/)** Software Test Engineer MLB **[David Potter](https://www.mlb.com/)** Technical Project Manager MLB **[Jamie Dungey](https://www.mlb.com/)** Technical Project Manager MLB #### Celebrate in NYC Join us for the 6th Annual Hashtag Sports Awards™ on the evening of June 6, 2024 as we celebrate finalists and reveal the winners of this year's awards live during the show.   [![RESERVE SEATS](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/834568/c79439a7-e53f-4aa9-9d60-2b68caf80d89.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/834568/c79439a7-e53f-4aa9-9d60-2b68caf80d89)