Nobody will remember whether the Miami Marlins won 5-3 or lost 6-1 ten years from now, but the memories you make at the ballpark can last forever. And like it or not, in 2021, "memories" most often end up as social-media posts.
With that in mind, the Marlins have taken it upon themselves this season to help fans document their trips to the ballpark social-media style, with a new selfie-friendly installation that has only grown since it was introduced in May.
In the team's continued efforts to enhance the fan experience at LoanDepot Park, they've sprinkled what they're calling "social spaces" across the promenade level. Fans are now able to take photos in front of a neon-illuminated baseball wall in Section 15 and stylized selfie mirrors in Section 1. Multiple installations allow fans to document their trip to the park in a unique, flashy, and, well, extremely Miami way.
"We continually challenge ourselves to innovate and infuse the Miami culture to LoanDepot Park," explains Jason Latimer, the Marlins' vice president of communications and broadcasting. "We had a great working group that threaded the concept of an Instagram playground social experience from the outside of LoanDepot Park to inside the ballpark, with four total concepts that really speak to Miami."
The open-air promenade level is already one of the most out-of-the-ordinary places to watch a game in South Florida, allowing fans to congregate, purchase food and drinks, or just browse the concourse to take in the sights and sounds, without ever losing sight of the action on the field. Now the social stations let fans take Instagram selfies all while missing none of the action on the diamond.
At each of these social stations, the Marlins encourage fans to stop, take a picture, and post it and tag @LoanDepotPark.
The social stations continue a running artistic theme at the stadium. Back in May, the team added an eye-catching art installation titled "Folklore" to the ballpark's West Plaza. The installation consists of four shipping containers colorfully painted and stacked to beckon guests to look closer, and maybe even snap a photo or two for the 'Gram.
Each "Folklore" container features elements inspired by the Marlins' City Connect uniforms, the vibrant colors representing Miami's melting pot of cultures.
The containers were painted by Puerto Rican artist Carlitos Skills, and fans have been invited to watch as the art was completed over the last few months.
According to the team, the exhibit has been a hit.
"Folklore has been a home run," says Mariah Monahan, the Marlins' marketing manager. "It has so many different photo backdrops. From the work of art on the outside from Carlitos Skills to the interior neon-light-lined shipping container, influencers can find the shot that suits their aesthetic the best."
The Marlins encourage fans to utilize the social stations and tag @Marlins, @LoanDepotPark, and #JuntosMiami. The team is always scrolling through them, and at times, fans might even find their posts shared with the crowd midgame.
"In addition to the exposure across social media, each game we highlight some of our favorite social-media posts utilizing these social tags on our main video board in centerfield," Monahan says.
If you haven't made it out to a game recently and want to take advantage of the new social experiences, don't worry; they should be around for some time. As of now, the Marlins plan to make their social stations a mainstay.
"The plan is for these backdrops to live outside and inside the ballpark," Monahan says. "Our goal is to continue to expand the number of spaces and refresh with any emerging trends, in an effort to further elevate the experience at LoanDepot Park."