Whitecaps hit a home run with 5050 Central
The 5050 Central automated raffle system will display real-time updates of prize money on Fifth Third Ballpark's new high-resolution video board, which measures an incredibly large 28 feet tall by 55 feet wide. Fans can watch as 50/50 prize money grows throughout the game, garnering excitement - and additional raffle ticket sales. Fifty percent of the prize pot goes to the designated charity running the game's raffle, while the other half goes to a lucky fan that holds the winning raffle ticket.
On Wednesday, May 9, the Michelle Lunn Hope Foundation will become the first non-profit to take advantage of the 5050 Central platform when it raises money to assure families can afford treatment for leukemia and other blood cancers, as well as for blood cancer research and education.
Whitecaps president Scott Lane said management has been studying the automated system and its effects on raffles at other events and he's convinced that the system will have a positive effect both on the charities selected to host raffles and on the excitement level amongst fans at games.
"It is a very cool thing to offer our fans - the ability to view real-time raffle sales," Lane said. "We're excited to introduce the 5050 Central automated raffling system to our fans this season, as we continue to add new high-tech fan amenities to the ballpark. More importantly, the funds raised will be used to support the local community. Thanks to the support of our fans, we anticipate being able to fund even more charities than we have in the past and we could not be more proud to do so."
Chris Meyer of 5050 Central was equally proud to be a part of this great program. "From day one, Whitecaps ownership and the front office have displayed a sincere commitment to further assisting the local community. 5050 Central is very proud to be part of this commitment. We cannot be more excited about our platform helping more of the community in West Michigan."
Raffle tickets will be sold during select home games in increments of one for $1, seven for $5, 15 for $10, 40 for $20 or 50 for $25. Some of the charities scheduled to benefit from holding raffles at Whitecaps games this season include the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan, National Kidney Foundation, Epilepsy Council of West Michigan and First Hand Aid. The Whitecaps' 2012 50/50 raffle calendar is full; however, nonprofit organizations interested in participating in the Whitecaps' 50/50 Raffle Program in the future may contact Courtney Galat [email protected]. Additional information can be found at whitecapsbaseball.com under the "Community" tab.
5050 Central is an electronic 50/50 raffle management system that drives consumer participation in raffle events while providing clear accountability for leading sports organizations. The 5050 Central system electronically captures every transaction while providing updated real-time raffle information to video screens located throughout the venue. Tickets are sold to fans through fixed touch-screen terminals and mobile devices, creating an effortless data collection system that provides accountability and eliminates human error. Sports organizations benefit through clear accountability and their associated charities benefit by sharing the revenue of larger raffle pots. 5050 Central is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pointstreak Sports Technologies Inc. and boasts some of sports' best brands as clients, such as the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Orlando Magic, Atlanta Braves, Boston Bruins, Calgary Flames, Hockey Canada and the Canadian Football League. For more information, visit www.5050central.com.
Tickets for all Whitecaps games are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com, by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131, or in person at the Whitecaps box office (open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday as well as during games). Regular ticket prices are $14.00 for premium box seats, $12.00 for box seats, $10.50 for reserved seats including the Gentex Family Section, and $6.00 for McCain Foods Lawn seating. Children 2 and under are free.
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