Diamondbacks Offer Haptic Devices for Visually Impaired Baseball Fans

Imagine attending a baseball game and being able to experience every pitch, hit, and run through the sense of touch. This innovative experience is now available to fans at Chase Field, thanks to a new collaboration aimed at enhancing accessibility for visually impaired enthusiasts.

Following the Phoenix Suns’ successful integration of advanced technology for fans with visual impairments, the Arizona Diamondbacks have joined forces with OneCourt to introduce haptic devices at their games. These devices, resembling tablets, provide tactile feedback to users, allowing them to “feel” the game’s action through vibrations. This technology transforms the way baseball fans interact with the sport, offering a more inclusive and engaging experience.

Bringing the Game to Life

Antyush Bollini, co-founder of OneCourt, explains the device’s functionality: “So it essentially uses a combination of trackable vibrations or haptics, as well as some audio that we are generating from the data that fans can then listen to at the same time as they feel the action.” This combination of sensory inputs ensures that fans who might miss the visual cues of a live game can still enjoy the full experience.

A Commitment to Inclusivity

Taylor Merwin, who works in community relations and partner programs with the Diamondbacks, emphasizes the importance of inclusivity in sports. “I think it’s just the idea that every fan deserves to feel fully connected to this team. And, you know, some of us are blessed with the ability to see the team on the field with their eyes, but we don’t want to exclude that experience from those who can’t,” Merwin stated.

Fans interested in experiencing this technology can reserve a device on OneCourt’s website or opt for first-come, first-served availability at the stadium.