SECAUCUS, N.J.—Take me out to the ballgame could have a whole new meaning soon as a result of a recent Proof of Concept from NTT and Major League Baseball. As part of the two organization’s recently announced multi-year technology agreement, NTT successfully tested its Ultra Reality Viewing technology during Game 3 of the American League Divisional Series between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Houston Astros.

The goal of the demonstration was to verify the feasibility of a real-time, super high definition surround video fan experience of a live sporting event.

NTT installed multiple 4K cameras at Tropicana Field, the home of the Rays, that transmitted high-definition images (12K wide) in real time to a super-wide screen (90.6x469-inch) with 6ch surround sound at MLB Network’s studio in Secaucus, N.J.

“This URV technology created a uniquely transformative sensation that put the remote viewer into the ballpark and its atmosphere live,” NTT said in its press release.

NTT says that it will continue to work with MLB toward expanding use of URV technology for other fan experiences.

NEW YORK—Baseball fans may not have to go out to the ball game to feel like they are actually there with a newly announced partnership between Major League Baseball and Japan’s NTT technology company. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and NTT President and CEO Jun Sawada announced the multi-year partnership at MLB headquarters on Sept. 4.

The goal of the partnership is to create new experiences for baseball fans. As the new “Official MLB Fan Experience Partner for Ultra Reality Viewing” and “Title Sponsor of MLB Network Ballpark Cam,” NTT will be able to utilize MLB’s distribution platforms, including digital, mobile, social, offline and television.

NTT’s “Ultra Reality Viewing” will be a key part of its offering for baseball fans. URV is a real-time, super high-definition surround video synthesis technology that combines multiple 4K camera images into a 12K image in real time and transmits it to remote locations. Prototype URV experiences are being planned for select upcoming MLB games, with specific details announced at a later date.

NTT will also serve as the title sponsor for MLB’s Ballpark Cam technology, which is a network of cameras installed across all 30 ballparks used for pre- and post-game coverage on MLB Network.

“We’re excited NTT has committed to building an expanded baseball technology portfolio and we eagerly anticipate what the partnership will deliver for clubs and fans,” said Manfred. “Sharing, and executing on, a vision to leverage advanced technologies to benefit baseball fans will serve as the foundation for how our NTT partnership will explore and experiment with unique ways to create new baseball experiences.”