It Begins Today: MLB Go-Ahead Entry Lane Facial Recognition Rolls Out

Heading to a Major League Baseball game on a beautiful Summer day, there’s nothing like it. You grab a hot dog, some french fries, and a beer. Then it's time to enjoy some delicious ice cream in a little baseball helmet, and head home feeling good after the Yankees, Mets, or Phillies win.

In an attempt to make our stadium experience even more enjoyable, today, Major League Baseball and the Philadelphia Phillies are rolling out a pilot program technology that can eliminate the long lines we usually have to wait in to get into the ballpark.

By using facial recognition this program allows you to completely skip the line.

It’s called MLB Go-Ahead Entry Lane, and here’s how it works.

If you've got a face, go to the app store and download "MLB Go-Ahead Entry." Once it's downloaded you'll need to go through a quick registration process. The first thing I had to do was click “get started,” and then I had to say that I was an adult over 18.

After that, I was prompted to take a selfie for identification which connects to a facial recognition camera at Citizens Bank Park in Philly. Once I have my tickets purchased, as I walk into the park, the camera connects with my selfie and allows me to walk directly into the ballpark without showing anything other than my beautiful smile.

It’s important to point out that this process is not required. If you want to get an old-fashioned paper ticket, you can. If you prefer to show the ticket on your phone, that is still an option as well. These non-facial recognition ways to get in are still going to be offered for as long as there is a need.

It’s basically just like E-Z Pass except you’re not holding a transponder.

For those concerned about security, Major League Baseball says no data is stored and is deleted immediately after you enter the venue.

There will be some initial issues for sure, but the positives certainly will outweigh the negatives.

For one, you can never accidentally leave your ticket at home, unless you forget your face.

Play ball!!

Let the countdown to the NFL season begin. The 2023 season kicks off with what promises to be one of the hottest games of the season. The reigning Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, will go up against one of the most buzzed-about teams in the NFL right now, the Detroit Lions. The game takes place on Thursday, Sept. 7. Are you ready? I'm so beyond ready. One of the key components of a winning football team, of course, is the quarterback. Throughout the years, a handful of quarterbacks have become household names. Think Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. So, who are the best NFL quarterbacks for the 2023 season? Here are my picks.

Honestly, No. 1 shouldn't be a surprise. I won't say his name here, but you'll see it at the end of this list. I don't think anyone would argue that this young man isn't the best quarterback in the league right now. Maybe a few think he's overrated, but his numbers say something else. But, picking the rest of these quarterbacks wasn't easy. I could have gone with all the usual suspects, but I really wanted to do some research and game-watching and pick the 12 quarterbacks that I think are the strongest in 2023, instead of the typical favorites. That said, I still included some names that just couldn't be ignored. I mean, you can't make a list like this and leave someone like Jalen Hurts off.

The 2023 season should be exciting. I think we will see some surprises, which is always fun. So, who are the best NFL quarterbacks for the 2023 season? Read on for my picks. Also, I'm a sports podcaster and host a podcast about the Detroit Lions called "The Squad with Anne Erickson." Find my podcast here and reach out to me on socials here with your NFL thoughts.

I'm starting this list off with some controversy. Some might scratch their heads at me picking a quarterback from a team that's been struggling as much as the Chicago Bears for the No. 12 best NFL quarterbacks for 2023. But, I think Justin Fields is going to surprise people this season. He's a MVP-level player, and if he can get teammates with the right chemistry, this team could surprise people.

It's a coincidence that I'm including another NFL North quarterback right after Justin Fields, but here we are. Kirk Cousins has been a solid quarterback for the Vikings for years. He's a vet at this point and led the team to many victories last season. That said, Minnesota Vikings fans are waiting patiently for a playoff run.

Dak Prescott may not be fireworks all the time, but he's a super solid quarterback. He's led the Dallas Cowboys to plenty of victories, and although he's had his ups and downs, most agree that this will be a good year for Prescott and the Cowboys.

When Matthew Stafford departed the Lions in 2021, fans had a mixed reaction. Some were ready for him to be gone, while others feared that his replacement will bring more losses. But, Jared Goff came on the scene, and in 2022, boy, did he deliver. He had some of the NFL's best stats towards the end of last season.

The Cleveland Browns are one of the hottest teams int he NFL right now, and fans are betting on Deshaun Watson to get them over that hump. He had that suspension, but on the field, he's invaluable.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/3122840/deshaun-watson

Los Angeles Rams got their Super Bowl victory, and now maybe it's time for some love for the Los Angeles Chargers. Justin Herbert is leading the Chargers to victories, and he's known for having a very reliable arm and game.

Despite having injuries for a few years, Lamar Jackson, when he's healthy, is one of the best quarterbacks in the league right now. He's got something special on the field, and if he can stay healthy and consistent, then he can be unstoppable for the Baltimore Ravens.

The Buffalo Bills are favorites to make a run for the Super Bowl this year, and Josh Allen is a bit part of that. He's super reliable and has one of the best arms in the league. He's one of those guys who's just all-around talented.

Here's another controversial pick, perhaps, on my part. Some think that Aaron Rodgers' time has come and gone. But, he's still one of the strongest quarterbacks in the NFL. Now, he's super motivated, too, being with a totally new team, the New York Jets. Also, the Jets are stacked, so this will be a difficult team to beat.

Joe Burrow's stats are among the best in the league. The Cincinnati Bengals are lucky to have him at the helm, and many think this could be the team to beat this year, thanks to Burrow.

Jalen Hurts has the brawns and talent to win a championship. He stays in tip-top shape, making it very difficult to see him ever having to struggle with major injuries. He also has a strong will to fight and win, which is kind of an intangible quality that comes in very useful.

Surprise! Not. Of course this isn't a a surprise. Patrick Mahomes has led the Kansas City Chiefs to not just one but two Super Bowl wins over the past few years. Many think he'll lead them to another Super Bowl win this season. He's young but plays with the maturity of an older player. It would have been difficult to put anyone else at No. 1 on this list of the best NFL quarterbacks for the 2023 season.