Whitecaps offer Google Virtual Tour of Fifth Third Ballpark

COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps have partnered with Fox Virtual Tours and Google to launch a Google Virtual Tour of Fifth Third Ballpark that allows fans to get a digital inside look at the ballpark.

Google Street View technology allows users to see 360-degree panoramas of the entire ballpark, including many seating sections to provide accurate vantage points, all of the group outing areas, the Super Suite, and the CapSized Shop. The tour also includes interesting locations that Whitecaps fans may never have directly seen before, such as the view from the playing field.

Brad Lawrence, a Google Trusted Photographer with Fox Virtual Tours (www.foxvtours.com), took several days photographing both the exterior and interior of Fifth Third Ballpark to create the virtual tour. The photos are produced using a rotating digital camera mounted on a tripod. Once the photos were taken, Lawrence uses "stitching" software that links each of the photos together to create a seamless tour.

"It was a real pleasure working with the Whitecaps on this project to bring Google Street View inside Fifth Third Ballpark," said Lawrence. "Fans can now use familiar Street View technology to explore the ballpark on Google Maps or on the Whitecaps' website, and the tour will be very useful to fans planning group outings. I'm very pleased with all the spectacular ballpark views we feature in this virtual tour, as well as fun "Easter eggs" such as the infield views with Crash and Roxy." 

Whitecaps Vice President of Sales Steve McCarthy said the Google Virtual Tour will be an invaluable tool to assist fans in selecting seats for group outings or individual ticket sales.

"We continually strive to enhance the fan experience, and our partnership with Fox Virtual Tours provided us with a simple and affordable feature to offer for years to come," said McCarthy. "The Google virtual tour of Fifth Third Ballpark will allow fans to engage with the facility in new and interactive ways."

Fans can view the virtual tour on the Whitecaps website (www.whitecapsbaseball.com), the Fifth Third Ballpark website (www.fifththirdballpark.com), the Whitecaps facebook page (www.facebook.com/wmwcaps), or by searching "West Michigan Whitecaps" on Google Maps and clicking "See inside" to start the tour. Navigate simply by clicking on the arrows or anywhere on the ground. Switch levels by clicking on a floor number.

The Whitecaps open the 2016 season on Thursday, April 7 at South Bend. The home opener is slated for Saturday, April 9 at 4 p.m. against the South Bend Cubs. Season tickets and mini plans are now on sale and can be purchased by calling the Whitecaps at 616-784-4131. Tickets for groups of 20 or more, including private party areas, will go on sale on November 19. Complete ticket information, including season and group ticket prices and perks, and the full 2016 schedule, is available at www.whitecapsbaseball.com.