ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays didn't find the win column in their home game against the San Diego Padres on Friday, but more fans said they'll be back and believe it'll now be a smoother experience getting through Tropicana Field.
The Rays debuted new technology dubbed as the "Go-Ahead Entry" on Friday.
It works using biometric data that essentially makes your face your ticket. The Rays are now the seventh MLB team to roll out the League’s Go Ahead Entry system.
"I thought it was a great idea," Steve Sclar, a fan attending Friday's game, said. "You're able to get in quicker."
Users can sign up through the free MLB Ballpark app, snap a selfie, and then that biometric data is used to authenticate the ticket holder.
It’s estimated using the app increases the speed of getting through the line and to your seat by about 68%.
MLB says the Go-Ahead Entry system uses facial authentication, not facial recognition. So, it's just scanning the person entering, not the crowd, adding it’s also not connected to any other database.
“The solution is secure. We do not store any images of fans in our system,” MLB’s Senior VP of Ticketing Karri Zaremba said. “The image is discarded right after it's taken, and a numeric token is what's stored on the device.”
Fans like Sclar said he hopes other teams could also adopt the new technology to make the entry process there much faster.
Sclar's wife echoes the benefits of the new technology in place.
"It will expedite the entry. You don't have to be fumbling with your phone, holding up the line, looking for it," Pam Sclar said.
Using Go-Ahead Entry is completely voluntary.
The Rays said they have five of the system kiosks, so fans who want to try it will find them at just about any gate they choose to enter the stadium.
Fans who use the system between now and Sept. 5 may also get two free tickets to any remaining regular season home games.