In a stadium of over 40,ooo people, how do you keep the casual and diehard fans engaged? Sidelines speaks to the New York Mets’ in-game host, trusted with creating a party in the stands.
When you think of a Mets baseball game, you might picture home runs, a roaring crowd, and strikeouts, but for many New York Mets fans, the entertainment between the innings is just as memorable.
With nearly a decade of experience, in-game host Emily Reppert is on the mic, keeping crowds engaged with contests, mascot races, and game trivia.
Reppert says, “I think this is a great way to balance that diehard fan with the casual fans.”
“I know there are obviously a lot of fans who come just to see baseball games, but you also have fans who may be experiencing this for the first time. They may not be the biggest baseball fans, but we want to keep them entertained and engaged throughout the game.”
A baseball game is divided into nine innings with each one packed full of action and strategy.
In between these moments, as the players remove themselves from the field for a quick break and to talk tactics, Reppert steps up.
She admits that one of her favourite segments to host is the Home Run Cannon.
“We have this giant cannon that launches a t-shirt and a fan has to try to get it into the home run apple, which of course comes up when a Mets player hits a home run.
“Each time that they don’t make it, the prize increases, so sometimes that will get up to like $2,000.
“When a fan then hits that and gets to take home the money, it’s obviously pretty exciting for the fan, and for everyone,” Reppert says.
The in-game entertainment attracts large crowds of fans, new and old, and as the years have gone by, the shows have grown in size and popularity.
Reppert says, “We’ve added so much to our shows, and we’ve really taken it to the next level.”
“We have guest DJ sets on the weekend, and the Queens Crew, which is a team of dancers. We also have our MC who brings the next level of excitement and energy, he’s like our hype man.
“It’s crazy. I’ll get to work, and I’m like, ‘Am I at the ballpark, or am I at a party?’ This is all really important to me because I think I feed off of the crowd and that type of work.”
Reppert has become a beloved in-game host at Citi Field, and her professional role has grown into a personal connection.
Married to a lifelong Mets fan, she is now raising her young children to proudly chant ‘Let’s Go Mets’.
Reppert says, “Now they’re getting older, they’re understanding what I do and they get excited when they see me.”
“It was funny the other day, my four-year-old was asking me what I was going to be when I grow up. I was like, ‘Well, I have a job – I take care of you, and I work for the Mets.’
“She was laughing. She said,’ That’s not a job!’
“I think because it’s so fun and not like any traditional job, she didn’t realise, which was really cute. She also thinks it’s fun because I bring her cotton candy.”
Whether it’s through DJs, dance crews, or cotton candy, Reppert ensures that it’s not only the players making memorable moments on the field, but it’s the moments in between that keep fans coming back for more.
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