Pippins, Micro Fantasy team up for prediction contests

YAKIMA, Wash. – Pippins fans will be getting more fun and games at The Orchard this summer — and the chance to win prizes every night. But they don’t have to wait until June 1 to get in on the action.

The Yakima Valley Pippins have partnered with Micro Fantasy LLC to provide its Micro Fantasy Baseball play-by-play prediction contests for all 32 Pippins home games at Yakima County Stadium.

All spectators at Pippins home games with the Micro Fantasy app installed on their iPhones or Android phones can participate in the prediction contests while watching the games live or listening to the radio broadcasts on 1460 ESPN. There is no charge for fans to install the Micro Fantasy app, and there is no charge to participate in the contests.

Contest participants predict the results of each at-bat in real-time. Points are awarded for correct predictions. The participant with the highest point total after every 3 innings will be announced as a contest winner with prizes to be awarded to each 3-inning winner.

“We’re excited to be offering Micro Fantasy contests at The Orchard this year,” Pippins general manager Jeff Garretson said. “We’ve partnered with three great Yakima Valley businesses that will supply prizes, and it will engage fans in a new way while watching the Pippins. It’s easy, it’s fun and it’s great for fans of all ages.”

Garretson is encouraging fans to download the app and register for an account before the Pippins’ opening night on June 1.

To jump-start the fun and provide an opportunity for fans to download and experience the contests, Micro Fantasy has set up contests during three upcoming Seattle Mariners home games for participants to become familiar with how the game works.

The sample games are on April 13 (Oakland at Seattle), April 14 (Oakland at Seattle) and April 16 (Houston at Seattle). Fans can play while watching on ROOT Sports Northwest or listening on the radio.

The Pippins will provide a prize to the winner of each 3-inning Micro Fantasy game during the trial. Only participants with registered Micro Fantasy accounts are eligible to win prizes.

During Pippins games, the winner of each 3-inning Micro Fantasy contest will win a gift card from the Valley Mall, Second Street Grill or Legends Casino, Garretson said. A grand prize will be awarded to the overall points champion at the end of the season.

The Micro Fantasy app is available for download through the Apple AppStore and Google Play. An online version is available on microfantasy.com.

By Jeff Garretson

April 5, 2018