Professional Baseball Fields Going Big w/ @Daktronics Displays
Gail Chiasson, North American Editor
The New York Mets, which play at Citi Field, and the Chicago Cubs, which play at Wrigley Field, both announced major new partnerships with Daktronics of Brookings, South Dakota.
Rendering of Citi Park’s new display
The New York Mets is installing a new Daktronics high definition Citi Field centerfield video display that is 62% larger than the original display. The new display, set to debut on Opening Day, April 13, will measuring 5,670 sq. ft., up from the current 3,500 sq. ft.).
The installation puts the Mets in the top 10 largest displays in professional baseball and makes Citi Field one of the few baseball venues to feature more than one video capable LED display in the seating bowl. The installation brings the total square footage of all displays in the Mets’ super-system to more than 17,000 sq. ft..
“As we look forward to a great season on the field in 2015, these significantly bigger and higher resolution video boards are state-of-the-art in size and LED technology and reinforce our commitment to provide our fans a superior experience when attending games at Citi Field,” says Jeff Wilpon, Mets COO.
The new true high definition video display in center field will measure 54 feet’ high by 105’ wide and feature a 13HD pixel layout resulting in more than 1.5 million pixels. This product provides superior brightness to combat direct sunlight and incorporates components for multiple levels of protection from the elements.
In addition, two ribbon displays along the left field fascia of the seating areas will measure approximately 5’ high by 234’ wide and 5’ high by 49’ wide respectively. The larger display will feature sponsor messaging and the other display will track strikeouts of opposing batters by Mets.
“Providing new displays for Citi Field is a great opportunity for Daktronics,” says Jay Parker, Daktronics vice-president of live events. “Adding this new main video display, which features the premier outdoor LED technology in the industry today, shows a commitment to providing fans and players with the highest level of excitement and entertainment at every baseball game.”
Over at historic, 100-year-old Wrigley Field in Chicago, Daktronics will install new LED video display technology. The new display in left field will measure 42’ high by 95’ wide and the new display in right field will measure 29’ high by 71’ high.
Like most Daktronics digital sports boards, the two displays will feature variable content zoning which allows them to show one large image to highlight live video and instant replays. Each display can also be separated into multiple zones to show any combination of scoring information, up-to-the-minute statistics, graphics and animations, and sponsor messaging and advertising.
Additionally, Wrigley Field will receive two outfield fascia wall displays measuring 6’ high by 74.5’ wide, two ribbon displays measuring 3.5’ high by 180’ wide – one along the first baseline and one along the third baseline – and two pitch displays along the first and third baselines measuring 3.5’ high by 14.5’ wide. All of these displays, which have a 13HD pixel layout, can show versatile content to supplement the main video displays, highlight out-of-town scores and statistics, showcase sponsors throughout the game and feature a multitude of other game information..
Also included in the installation will be four fixed-digit scoreboards in the lower seating level concourse to provide the traditional statistical information to fans while they are away from their seats.
Reece Kurtenbach, Daktronics CEO, says, “I’m confident that this installation will complement the aura of Wrigley Field by paying homage to the nostalgia of Cubs baseball and excite their fan-base at the same time.”
To integrate and control the new video displays being installed, the Cubs are receiving Daktronics powerful Show Control system, which provides a combination of display control software, video processing, data integration and playback hardware for a user-friendly production solution.
And a nice touch: As part of the agreement, Daktronics and Cubs Charities will provide additional standard scoreboards with control systems to local youth baseball fields as part of Cubs Charities’ Diamond Project. The Diamond Project provides funds to non-profit, neighborhood-based organizations to support capital improvement projects that improve the quality, safety and accessibility of local baseball fields or indoor training facilities.
Follow DailyDOOH