Mariners announce Virtual Baseball Bash
SEATTLE -- Good news, Mariners fans. Despite the limitations of in-person gatherings, the club still plans to host its FanFest -- only this year, they're bringing the fun directly to you.
The club announced on Thursday that the Virtual Baseball Bash will feature 60 events with access to an assortment of 60 Mariners players, coaches, scouts, front-office staff, broadcasters and other personnel, including manager Scott Servais, general manager Jerry Dipoto, American League Rookie of the Year Award winner Kyle Lewis, Gold Glove Award winners J.P. Crawford and Evan White, veterans Marco Gonzales and Kyle Seager and touted prospects Logan Gilbert, Jarred Kelenic and Julio Rodriguez.
• More on Mariners' Virtual Baseball Bash
The Bash begins Tuesday and runs through Jan. 30, with events taking place on Mariners.com, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Twitch.
Fans can subscribe to Mariners Mail to become an insider, with perks including a daily lineup, reminders and even avenues to participate in some of the interactive events.
Here is the full schedule (all times PT):
Tues., Jan. 19
• 10:30-11 a.m. -- Preview show
Join Aaron Goldsmith to hear what the Mariners Virtual Baseball Bash is all about.
• 11 a.m - noon -- Dipoto media session
Fans will have a seat in the virtual interview to hear members of the local media discuss the 2021 season, beginning with Dipoto.
• 1-1:30 p.m. -- Virtual clubhouse chat
Left-handed pitchers Nick Margevicius and Justus Sheffield will join Mariners broadcasters in a moderated discussion.
• 3-3:30 p.m. -- Twitter Takeover (Taylor Trammell)
Mariners No. 5 prospect Taylor Trammell will take over the team's social media account and interact with fans.
• 4-5 p.m. -- Virtual clubhouse chat
Dipoto will join Mariners broadcasters in a moderated discussion.
• 5-6 p.m. -- Mariners Care Virtual Community Tour
Tune in as the club virtually visits Northwest Washington and British Columbia.
Wed., Jan. 20
• 3-3:30 p.m. -- Instagram Takeover (Carson Vitale)
Major League field coordinator Carson Vitale will take over the team's social media account and interact with fans.
• 4-4:30 p.m -- Twitter Takeover (Sam Delaplane)
Mariners No. 20 prospect Sam Delaplane will take over the team's social media account and interact with fans.
Thurs., Jan. 21
• 10-11 a.m. -- Coffee ‘Servais’ Q&A
Grab a cup of coffee and join the Mariners manager for a Q&A.
• 11 a.m.-noon -- Media session
Fans can listen in as Crawford, Gonzales and Seager will speak with members of the local media.
• 1-2 p.m. -- Virtual clubhouse chat
Mariners director of player development Andy McKay will share his collection of motivational books.
• 2-2:30 p.m. -- Twitter Takeover (Shed Long Jr.)
Second baseman Shed Long Jr. will take over the team's social media account and interact with fans.
• 3-3:30 p.m. TikTok Takeover (Sam Carlson)
Right-hander Sam Carlson (No. 15 prospect) will take over the team's social media account and interact with fans.
• 3-4 p.m. -- Spanish media session
No. 2 prospect Julio Rodriguez, closer Rafael Montero, catcher Luis Torrens, infielder José Marmolejos and reliever Andres Munoz will join the local Spanish media.
• 6:30-8 p.m. Mariners Virtual Bingo
Rick Rizzs will host, and there is limited space, but fans can register here.
Fri., Jan. 22
• 10-11 a.m. -- Coffee ‘Servais’ Q&A
Grab a cup of coffee and join the Mariners manager for a Q&A.
• 2-2:30 p.m. -- Instagram Takeover (Justus Sheffield)
Sheffield will take over the team's social media account and interact with fans.
• 3-3:30 p.m. -- Twitter Takeover (Joey Gerber)
Right-hander Joey Gerber will take over the team's social media account and interact with fans.
• 4-4:30 p.m. -- Instagram Takeover (Mitch Haniger)
Right fielder Mitch Haniger will chat with fans while grilling dinner.
• 5-6 p.m. -- Mariners Care Virtual Community Tour
Tune in as the club virtually visits Southwest Washington and Oregon.
Mon., Jan. 25
• 10-10:30 a.m. -- Preview Show
All you need to know for week two of the Mariners Virtual Baseball Bash.
• 12-12:30 p.m. -- Virtual Clubhouse Chat
Mike Cameron and Dan Wilson, two key members of the 116-win team in 2001, relive the historic season.
• 1-1:30 p.m. Instagram Takeover (Marco Gonzales)
Gonzales will take over the team's social media account and interact with fans.
• 2-2:30 p.m. -- Virtual clubhouse chat
Lewis and White will join Mariners broadcasters in a moderated discussion.
Tues., Jan. 26
• 10-11 a.m. -- Servais, Sheffield media session
Fans will have a seat in the virtual interview to hear members of the local media discuss the 2021 season.
• 1-1:30 p.m. -- Instagram Takeover (Ty France)
Designated hitter and infielder Ty France will take over the team's social media account and interact with fans.
• 2-2:30 p.m. -- Virtual clubhouse chat
Featuring a new game called "Take it to the Grave," reliever Kendall Graveman will join Mariners broadcasters in a moderated discussion.
• 4-4:30 p.m -- TikTok Takeover (Justin Dunn)
Justin Dunn will offer a wide-ranging tour of his extensive shoe collection.
Wed., Jan. 27
• 10-11 a.m. -- Media session with McKay, prospects Gilbert, Kelenic and Hancock
Fans will have a seat in the virtual interview to hear members of the local media discuss the 2021 season.
• 12-12:30 p.m. -- Virtual clubhouse chat
Rodriguez will join Mariners broadcasters in a moderated discussion.
• 1-1:30 p.m. Instagram Takeover (Taylor Trammell)
Trammell will take over the team's social media account and interact with fans.
• 2-2:30 p.m -- Virtual clubhouse chat
Catcher Tom Murphy and right-hander Chris Flexen will join Mariners broadcasters in a moderated discussion.
• 3-4 p.m. -- Virtual clubhouse chat
The Mariners' top pitching prospects -- Gilbert, Hancock and Kirby -- will discuss their development.
• 4-4:30 p.m. -- Twitter Takeover (Nick Margevicius)
The starting pitcher will take over the team's social media account and interact with fans.
• 6:30-8 p.m. -- Mariners Super Trivia
Hosted by Gary Hill, fans can test their Mariners knowledge. Limited space is available, and fans can register here.
Thurs., Jan. 28
• 10-11am -- Coaches media session
Fans can listen in as pitching coach Pete Woodworth and hitting coach Tim Laker chat with members of the local media.
• 12-12:30 p.m. -- Virtual clubhouse chat
Mariners broadcasters and members of the 2001 team remember the historic season.
• 2-2:30 p.m. -- Haniger media session
Fans will have a seat in the virtual interview to hear members of the local media discuss the 2021 season.
• 4-4:30 p.m. -- Twitch Live: MLB the Show
Two Mariners go head-to-head in this fan-favorite video game.
• 7-8 p.m. -- 2001 20th anniversary roundtable
Rizzs leads this celebration complete with video highlights, memories from players and more -- Bret Boone, Cameron, Norm Charlton, Tom Lampkin and Aaron Sele will be on hand.
Fri., Jan. 29
• 12-12:45 p.m. -- Virtual workout
A lunch-hour workout led by the Mariners' strength and conditioning staff.
• 2-2:30 p.m. -- Virtual clubhouse chat
Utility man Dylan Moore joins to play a game of "Moore or Less?"
• 3-3:30 p.m. -- Instagram Takeover (Ryan Stiles)
Home clubhouse manager Ryan Stiles gives a virtual tour inside the Mariners' Spring Training facility in Arizona.
• 4-5 p.m. -- Inside Corner: Happy Hour Edition
Round out the work week with happy hour and the return of last year’s hit series featuring Goldy and Gonzo.
Sat., Jan. 30 -- Kids Day
• 9-9:30 a.m. -- Moose-led virtual workout
The Mariners' mascot will host a streamable workout.
• 11-11:30 a.m. -- Kids press conference (Jake Fraley)
• 12-1:30 p.m. -- Mariners Bingo: Kids Edition
Limited space, register here.
• 3-3:30 p.m. -- Kids press conference (Shed Long Jr.)
Mariners Care virtual community tour also announced
The 2021 event, held through Mariners Care and presented by ROOT Sports, will feature live online interactions with Seattle players and broadcasters, allowing fans to join the conversation by contributing questions. Select personnel will also visit patients and hospitals around the region virtually. The club also plans to add skills clinics for youth baseball and softball players and a virtual story time for kids, with those plans being announced soon.
• More on the Mariners Care virtual community tour
Events will be accessible through the Mariners' YouTube Channel, but fans from each region will have access to special links that will allow them to submit questions for the live sessions. Community partners and Mariners season-ticket members from each area will participate in the sessions, and fans in each region will be eligible for prizes.
Here's a tentative breakdown of the tour schedule (all times PT):
Tues., Jan. 19
Fans: Northwest Washington, British Columbia
• 3-3:30 p.m. -- Canuck Place Children’s Hospice, Vancouver B.C. (Non-public event for patients, family and staff of Canuck Place)
• 5-6 p.m. -- WATCH here: Live Q&A with Rick Rizzs, outfielder Braden Bishop and infielder Ty France
Fri., Jan. 22
Fans: Southwest Washington, Oregon
• 5-6 p.m. -- WATCH here: Live Q&A with Rick Rizzs and pitchers Justin Dunn and Keynan Middleton
Wed., Feb. 3
Fans: Central and Eastern Washington
• 5-6 p.m -- WATCH here: Live Q&A with Rick Rizzs, pitcher Wyatt Mills and outfielder Jake Fraley
Wed., Feb. 10
Fans: Alaska, Idaho, Montana
• 5-6 p.m. -- WATCH here: Live Q&A with Gold Glove first baseman Evan White and utility infielder Dylan Moore
“Connecting with our fans this offseason is more important than ever,” Mariners executive vice president and general counsel Fred Rivera said. “Because we can’t travel to two dozen communities to sign autographs and meet with fans in person, we’re going to utilize the technology many of us are using as we work from home to reach out to our fans across the region and get everyone primed for the start of baseball. With activities planned throughout the year, we look forward to seeing our fans in person as soon as it is safe to do so.”