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Bat Around™ Gamifies the Batting Cage Experience for Baseball and Softball Enthusiasts and Newcomers

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3 years ago

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New batting cage software and app combine the thrill of swinging a bat with a live video game experience, bringing a new level of fun to the sport

NEW YORK, Jan. 4, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Batting Challenge Holdings, Inc. officially debuts Bat Around™, a new batting cage software and app that gamifies the batting cage experience for teams, players and novices, at the American Baseball Coaches Association conference in Nashville, Tenn. Jan. 5-8, 2023. Bat Around is part baseball and part video game, inspired by some of the greatest hitters in Major League Baseball history, including David Eckstein, Fred McGriff, Matt Holliday, Luis Gonzalez and more.

 

With Bat Around, we are introducing a whole new level of excitement to baseball and softball.

The game is for all ability levels and brings fun and competition to batting cages. The beta version of Bat Around is powered by HitTrax and is available at batting cage test locations in Colorado, Florida, Georgia and New York. The Bat Around app is now available for download through the App Store and Google Play for iOS and Android phones.

“We get so consumed with teaching people a swing and chasing metrics that we forget the game is supposed to be fun,” said Clint Hurdle, Bat Around co-founder and former MLB manager and player. “With Bat Around, we are introducing a whole new level of excitement to baseball and softball, reinforcing strategy and overall hitting skills through a game that is fun to play for anyone wanting to swing a bat.”

“Bat Around is a new player in the “sporttainment” industry and is perfect for growing usage at batting cages, challenging existing players and introducing new people to the game,” said Matt Farrell, CEO of Batting Challenge Holdings. “We’re looking forward to expanding Bat Around’s availability across the U.S. to batting cages and entertainment venues.”

The game is designed to help teams make batting practice more fun and purposeful through competition, allow players to try news skills or improve existing ones, and encourage novices to grab a bat for the very first time and take a swing. It is an exciting way to connect with people and the ball to have a good time while improving skills.

Bat Around is inspired and advised by some of the greatest hitters in Major League Baseball, including:

Sean Casey—3x MLB All Star, TV personality on MLB NetworkJeff Cirillo—2x MLB All Star, 1,598 hits, 343 doubles (5x 30+)Darnell Coles—World Series Champion, Washington Nationals hitting coachDavid Eckstein—World Series MVP, 2x MLB All Star and 2x World Series ChampionLuis Gonzalez—World Series Champion, 5x MLB All Star, 2,591 hits, 596 doubles, 354 home runsTravis Hafner—250 doubles (5x 25+), 213 HR (4x 24+), 731 RBI (4x 100+)Matt Holliday—7x MLB All Star, 4x Silver Slugger, National League batting and RBI champFred McGriff—2023 Baseball Hall of Fame electee, 5x MLB All Star, 3x Silver Slugger, 2x HR Champion, World Series ChampionJuan Pierre—2,227 hits and led National League 2x in hits, World Series ChampionRyan Spilborghs—Career .272 and popular TV/radio broadcasterKevin Young—Two seasons 40+ doubles, three with 20+ HR and two 100+ RBI

This list of clutch hitters comprises the Bat Around Hitting Legends Council, who advise on the game and will be featured throughout the app, providing pro tips to players.

“Bat Around makes batting practice better because it takes the tradition of just swinging and turns it into a game and a competition that everyone loves,” said David Eckstein, two-time MLB All Star and World Series MVP. “With this game, we have the opportunity to put a bat in everyone’s hand, and they are going to enjoy hitting!”

When playing Bat Around, hitters move through six rounds of play, keeping the practice fresh and fun, while developing different hitting skills and game strategy. The initial six rounds include:

Liñas – barrel it up and hit a line drive to centerAround the World – hit two balls to left, two to center and two to rightLunchbox – go to work and move runners in various situationsGamer – the pressure is on to score runs in three minutes or three outs, whichever comes firstLaser Show – just hit it hardWalk-Off – the dream scenario of bases loaded, two outs, bottom of the ninth

Other features of the game include the Bat Around Metric, known as BAM™, measuring overall skill. Players will see their stats in the app and can track how they performed in each skill. BAM is also a handicap system allowing people with different ability levels to play each other and compare stats.

The game is accessible to all levels, and hitters can play off a tee, soft toss, front toss, pitching machine or live pitching on three skill levels.

The Bat Around app features your stats, including your BAM, and a digital player card that allows users to create their own digital baseball card that can be shared. Pro tips can be accessed through videos from the Hitting Legends Council, whose members have more than 25,000 collective professional hits. A future version of the game will feature leaderboards showing how players rank against others.

“Bat Around brings out fun and competition,” said Fred McGriff, who was recently elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame class of 2023. “When you see kids and adults step into the box, they are immediately energized, have fun and enjoy the competition.”

Bat Around is featured for the first time at the American Baseball Coaches Association conference in Nashville, Tenn. Jan. 5-8, 2023. Show attendees can see and demo the game and app at booth number 75.

To learn more about Bat Around, visit www.letsbataround.com or follow us on Instagram at @letsbataround.

About Batting Challenge Holdings

Batting Challenge Holdings, Inc. is a New York-based company specializing in sports technology mixed with innovative games. Follow Batting Challenge Holdings on LinkedIn.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bat-around-gamifies-the-batting-cage-experience-for-baseball-and-softball-enthusiasts-and-newcomers-301713470.html

SOURCE Batting Challenge Holdings, Inc.

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HashKey Cloud Partners with EAG to Support the Ethereum Application Ecosystem through ETH Staking

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57 minutes ago

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April 20, 2026

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HONG KONG, April 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — HashKey Cloud, the digital asset infrastructure service platform under HashKey Group, announced a partnership with the Ethereum Applications Guild (EAG) during the Hong Kong Web3 Festival. The collaboration introduces an ETH Staking support solution for the EAG community.

The initiative aims to provide EAG community members and the broader community of Ethereum builders with transparent and verifiable staking infrastructure. While ensuring users maintain full autonomous control over their assets, the solution uses a specific contribution program to direct a portion of staking rewards toward supporting the growth of EAG and the native Ethereum application ecosystem.

This partnership represents an extension of HashKey’s long-term commitment to the Ethereum ecosystem and provides a new pathway for supporting the development of the application layer.

Reinvesting ETH Staking Rewards into the Ecosystem to Build Long-term Support Mechanisms

EAG is a global non-profit collaborative organization dedicated to driving innovation, adoption, and real-world impact for Ethereum-native applications. By connecting developers, institutions, and various participants, EAG explores and builds open, transparent, and sustainable collaboration mechanisms for the application layer.

The concept of EAG originated from three years of continuous practice by ShanHaiWoo centered around AI, the Ethereum ecosystem, and public goods. The core mission is to establish a sustainable support mechanism for the growth and real-world implementation of native applications. This partnership leverages ETH Staking infrastructure to allow participants to support network operations while simultaneously contributing to ecosystem building.

Launching the EAG Contribution Pool to Meet Staking Needs

According to the cooperation plan, HashKey Cloud will provide the underlying technical architecture and a dedicated frontend interface for the EAG Contribution Pool (DAPP). This DAPP will serve as the interaction interface embedded within the EAG official website or other partner wallets and platforms, making it easy for users to participate directly in ETH Staking.

Node Model: Supports the 0x02 withdrawal credential node model.Capacity: Minimum 32 ETH per node, supporting up to 2048 ETH.Asset Control: Users maintain constant control over their assets. HashKey Cloud does not touch, control, or withhold user funds. It only provides node operation and technical support.Reward Mechanism: When a node has not reached the 2048 ETH limit, rewards are not withdrawn. Once it exceeds 2048 ETH, rewards flow into the user’s exclusive Withdrawal Vault. Users can manually claim rewards or use the Claim & Contribute mechanism to automatically distribute rewards based on preset parameters.

Connecting Infrastructure to the Application Ecosystem

This partnership aims to bridge infrastructure capabilities with community needs. It provides professional, verifiable ETH Staking services while shifting ecosystem support from one-time donations or short-term grants toward more sustainable, ongoing contribution mechanisms.

Moving forward, both sides will continue to collaborate on Ethereum application layer construction, encouraging more developers, communities, and institutions to participate in the long-term development of native applications.

About HashKey Cloud
HashKey Cloud is an institutional-grade staking infrastructure under HashKey (3887.HK). It focuses on providing secure, auditable multi-chain staking services for global institutions, asset managers, and professional investors. Its services include ETF/DAT Staking, Prime Staking, VIP Staking, API Staking, and Prime Yield, helping clients efficiently manage on-chain assets and returns.

About Ethereum Applications Guild (EAG)
The Ethereum Applications Guild (EAG) is a global non-profit organization dedicated to accelerating Ethereum-native applications with real-world impact. EAG connects developers and institutions to build transparent collaboration mechanisms. Through application acceleration, open co-creation, ecosystem partnerships, sustainable funding, and global events, EAG connects builders, institutions, and ecosystem stakeholders to foster the sustainable growth and broader reach of the Ethereum applications ecosystem.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/hashkey-cloud-partners-with-eag-to-support-the-ethereum-application-ecosystem-through-eth-staking-302747026.html

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Step inside Efficient, Healthy, Sustainable Buildings at the 2026 Passive House Network Conference

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57 minutes ago

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April 20, 2026

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Hotel Marcel will host building science experts from around the world on June 4th & 5th in an event that showcases why Passive House is the building-performance gold standard.

NEW HAVEN, Conn., April 20, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — The 2026 Passive House Network Conference, held on June 4th & 5th in New Haven, CT, invites Passive House architects, designers, developers, and other building enthusiasts from around the world to exchange ideas, share experience, and accelerate the adoption of the world’s most rigorous building efficiency standard. Hosted by The Passive House Network (PHN), the conference highlights the Passive House standard as a solution to the variety of housing, climate, and cost challenges facing the building industry today.

“We’re inviting everyone to profit by experience, because there is nothing more valuable than shared experience,” said Ken Levenson, Executive Director of PHN. “Practitioners around the world are finding that Passive House is the way forward for comfortable, sustainable, and resilient buildings.”

The event will take place at Hotel Marcel, the first Passive House Certified Hotel in the country–an ideal building to act as both host and exemplar for this event. Opened in 2022, the all-electric building features EV charging stations, a solar-paneled parking lot, and a gas-free kitchen. The brutalist masterpiece was originally completed in 1970 as a corporate headquarters by Marcel Breuer before its renovation to the Passive House EnerPHit standard and rebirth as an award-winning hotel. Experts involved in the renovation will attend the conference and present on the process, including Bruce Becker, the architect, developer, and owner of the building.

“It seemed to me that this was a perfect opportunity to build a hotel that really was part of the solution to the climate crisis,” Becker said. “I’m happy to take what I’ve learned and share it with architects and developers who have the same goals, and the 2026 PHN Conference is the perfect place to do that.”

Other highlights of the conference program include a showcase of Passive House buildings from around the world, including Senior Housing in Spain, Social Housing in Ireland, and a New York University student residence retrofit. The conference will showcase developments in building materials, like adobe and mass timber, and highlight how Passive House makes financial sense by increasing value and providing climate resilience.

“We’re inviting everyone to profit by experience, because there is nothing more valuable than shared experience,” said Ken Levenson, Executive Director of PHN. “Practitioners around the world are finding that Passive House is the way forward for comfortable, sustainable, and resilient buildings. This conference will celebrate that and share these discoveries so everyone can benefit from a better built environment.”

Over 30 expert speakers will share their perspectives during the two-day event. Registration is now open, and a full program is available to view on the Conference Webpage.

For more information on The Passive House Network, visit https://passivehousenetwork.org/ or email kim@passivehousenetwork.org.

Media Contact

Kim Ravold, The Passive House Network, 1 6094101308, kim@passivehousenetwork.org, https://passivehousenetwork.org/

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/step-inside-efficient-healthy-sustainable-buildings-at-the-2026-passive-house-network-conference-302746459.html

SOURCE The Passive House Network

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PEPSI MAX® RECRUITS GLOBAL STARS TO CREATE THE ‘PEPSI FOOTBALL NATION’: WHERE FANS DEFINE THE RULES

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57 minutes ago

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April 20, 2026

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Sir David Beckham, Mohamed Salah, Vini Jr., Lauren James, Alexia Putellas and Florian Wirtz star in Pepsi MAX’s latest brand film – along with a cameo appearance from chef Gordon Ramsay.The campaign is anchored in the rituals of football, from legendary chants to the shared passion of the global community.Pepsi MAX will launch a browser extension to ensure Rule #1 ‘It’s Football, Not Soccer’ is correct across the web and kicks off a fan-debate with Reddit.

LONDON, April 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Ahead of a summer of sport, Pepsi MAX® has brought together football legends in a brand-new film to celebrate the traditions, rituals and shared passion of fans beyond the 90 minutes.

Following the launch of the Pepsi Football Nation platform, a multi-year global platform designed to bring football culture into everyday life for fans across the globe, the campaign film is inspired by the conversations that keep the spirit of the game alive.

The film opens with Sir David Beckham handing the playbook to the fans, inviting them to dictate the “rules” of the Pepsi Football Nation. Viewers are taken on a high-octane journey through a world where fan debate reigns: from local hangouts to unexpected matchups, Florian Wirtz speed parking with accuracy, to the disbelief of a referee who checks it on VAR, Lauren James teaching a university lecture on breaking the offside trap, and blockbuster movies starring Vini Jr., Alexia Putellas, and Mohamed Salah.

Fans throughout unveil the “rules” that are central to the Pepsi Football Nation, brought to life by the Pepsi global roster: Rule #7: Superstitions are Sacred, Rule #33: Who is the “King of Skill”? Rule #84: You Must Wear Your Winning Jersey to Work. Rule #100: Everything Gets Settled on the Pitch.

To celebrate the film, Pepsi MAX is supporting fans tackle Rule #1 of the Pepsi Football Nation: “It’s called Football, Not Soccer”. Fans will soon be able to download a free web extension that automatically replaces every mention of the word “soccer” with “football.” Whether reading global news or scrolling through searches, fans can ensure the “beautiful game” is always described in the best possible way.

Fan debate also lives in chats, fan pages and blogs. That’s why Pepsi MAX is bringing the debate to Reddit, the world’s fastest-growing hub for football discourse. This activation will allow fans to define their own rules and rituals, empowering the community to dictate how the game is celebrated worldwide.

Eugene Willemsen, Chief Executive Officer, International Beverages at PepsiCo, says: “Football has always gone beyond what happens on the pitch during the 90 minutes. It lives in conversations, rivalries, and traditions that bring fans together every day, across communities, markets, and generations. Pepsi Football Nation celebrates that culture and the many ways fans experience the game beyond the match itself. For decades, Pepsi MAX has been at the heart of the game; now, we’re honoring the shared experiences and ‘rules’ that unite fans worldwide.”

The Pepsi Football Nation celebrates the culture of football on and off the pitch. Fans worldwide can watch the full film on Pepsi MAX’s social channels, including:   X (Twitter),  Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube.

Player Quotes

Mohamed Salah: “Fans are what makes the beautiful game great, so having a world where they write the rules just feels right. Love being part of the Pepsi Football Nation and celebrate football’s rituals.”

Vini Jr.: “For me, football is about joy and expression, so joining the Pepsi squad to celebrate the game’s culture and passion was easy. I regret not asking the fans sooner!”

Lauren James: “I’ve always had my own approach to big games, whether playing or watching. So to see all these football culture quirks come together in one campaign was great.”

Alexia Putellas: “There’s something special about football culture beyond the pitch. Rituals that are shared by players and fans. I jumped at the chance to help Pepsi bring those traditions centre stage.”

Florian Wirtz: “Football is so much more than a game. There’s passion, there’s debate, there’s traditions. So, it was fun to tell the rules that fans live by every day.”

Notes to Editors

Browser extension privacy

The web extension will work locally in your browser to replace the word “soccer” with “football” on the webpage you are currently viewing. It does not collect, store, or transmit any personal data. No browsing history, cookies, form inputs, or account information is accessed. The permission to “access data on all websites” is required solely so the extension can read the text on the page you are viewing and make the word replacement. No data leaves your device.

About PepsiCo

PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated nearly $94 billion in net revenue in 2025, driven by a complementary beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Lay’s, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. PepsiCo’s product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and drinks, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning with pep+ (PepsiCo Positive). pep+ is our strategic end-to-end transformation that places sustainability at the center of our business strategy, seeking to drive growth and build a stronger, more resilient future for PepsiCo and the communities where we operate. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com, and follow on X (Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @PepsiCo.

Credit List:

PEPSI IB

Head of Production: Kane Phillips

Senior Producer: Eleanor Fitzgerald

BIG TIME CREATIVE

Production Lead: Inas Nagy

FILM

SAUVAGE.TV

Director: Ernest Desumbila

Executive Producer: Eva Laffitte

Producer: Isidor Arjona

Post Producer: Yukio Montilla

SOCIAL

SAUVAGE.TV

Director: Pere Sala

Executive Producer: Eva Laffitte

Producer: Pablo Gershuni

Post Producer: Yukio Montilla

SOUND DESIGN

Immersus 

Sound Designer: Alex Nicholls-Lee

PHOTOGRAPHY

Madeleine Penfold Studios

Photographer: Madeleine Penfold

Executive Producer: Rhiannon Reid

Video – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2959969/Pepsi_Football_Nation.mp4
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2959970/Pepsi_Football_Nation_1.jpg
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2959971/Pepsi_Football_Nation_2.jpg
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2959973/Pepsi_Football_Nation_3.jpg
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2665176/5923853/Pepsi_Logo.jpg

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/pepsi-max-recruits-global-stars-to-create-the-pepsi-football-nation-where-fans-define-the-rules-302747015.html

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