'Bucks' returns to Coors to test Rockies fans
The 52nd overall episode of the hit MLB.com game show "Bucks on the Pond" powered by Ford brought a return to Coors Field. It was there earlier this season that new Rockies fans Tiffani and Jim Nieusma of Highlands Ranch, Colo., won $220 and ended the show with the now-familiar contestant shout, "We won some bucks with 'Bucks on the Pond!'"
Could a Rockies home game also mean some first-timer bucks for Terry West of Castle Rock, Colo., and Kala McAlpine and Karla Luna of Aurora, Colo.? The trio is the latest to face "Bucks" trivia, and in their case, it also was an initiation at Coors Field. You'll have to watch the episode released on Thursday to see whether McAlpine's cry of "We love MLB.com!" during the show was premature or whether they indeed made it 2-for-2 for Rockies episodes.
"What did you think when you were approached to play 'Bucks?'" they were asked.
"We thought it was ... I don't know," Luna said.
"Why not?" said McAlpine.
"Why not, what the heck?" added West. "We're having fun, we're here."
"Bucks" is hosted by Jeremy Brisiel and you might be a part of it this season when you least expect it. Fans at the ballpark interact with MLB.com's studio through the magic of technology in conjunction with game action inside. Shows are posted each Tuesday and Thursday. In creating a new experience for fans, MLB.com is giving people a chance to earn bucks while they spend bucks at the ballpark.
Contestants are asked a trivia question -- general knowledge and baseball -- on each pitch during a half-inning of baseball. Get the question correct and win money. Get the question wrong, and it's a strike. Three strikes and you're out.
The questions' difficulty and value increase with the number of outs in the on-field action: $5 easy questions to start, $10 medium-difficulty questions after one out and $20 hard questions after two outs. If the contestant(s) lasts longer than the team's at-bat, they win the bucks in their bank.
Cross the $100 mark during the show and it's time for "Say The Word" powered by Ford SYNC. You can wager any part of your bank on the next question, which is asked each episode by 2014 Hall of Fame candidate Frank Thomas. Answer correctly and you win, answer incorrectly and you lose that amount ... and it's another strike.
Topics covered in this episode include kids TV, Rockies history, movie titles, vegetables, Rockies sluggers, 1980s singers, movie animals, American flags, Olympic hosts, baseball fields, M words, U.S. malls, rocketry and comedic actors.
This was a good example of how teamwork helps on "Bucks," especially when the number of contestants is at least a few. After correctly answering a question about a Judd Nelson movie in the 1980s, West pointed to her two trivia mates and said, "They're too young to know that answer."
For some unknown reason, baseball questions almost always seem to be the most common stumpers since "Bucks" debuted last August. This episode is no exception.
Consuming frosty beverages at Coors was a prevailing theme for the trio at this game. Asked what they would do with the money if they won, West said it all: "Free beer!"
MLB.com has taped shows at 24 of the 30 Major League ballparks, with only three strikeouts this season prior to this episode. In addition to the Rockies, teams visited by the "Bucks" crew include the Angels, Astros, Athletics, Brewers, Cardinals, Cubs, D-backs, Dodgers, Giants, Indians, Marlins, Mets, Orioles, Phillies, Red Sox, Reds, Royals, Padres, Pirates, Tigers, Twins, White Sox and Yankees. Bookmark MLB.com/bucks and be on the lookout for the "Bucks" crew at your ballpark.