SF Giants are installing wireless replays at their home park

[Argo]

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SAN FRANCISCO -- Peanuts, hot dogs and wireless instant replays. It's the future of baseball.

SBC Park, home of the San Francisco Giants, is already a giant wireless hotspot. Next season, the team plans to offer Wi-Fi users instant replays on demand, possibly even of different angles on controversial plays.

"We're charting new territory here so it's really going to be up to what our fans want," said Bill Schlough, vice president and chief information officer of the Giants.

Since the ballpark launched its wireless network in April, the first major sports venue to do so, a few hundred spectators per game have brought along their laptops or handheld computers to use the free service, Schlough said.

They're logging on to check e-mail or visit a customized Web site that offers live streaming video of other baseball games, stats and historical footage.

Either way, experts say it's a sign of things to come.

"Wireless capability is in the planning docket for every major facility in professional sports because it's becoming ubiquitous in most public areas," said Paul Swangard, managing director of the University of Oregon's James Warsaw Sports Marketing Center.

In addition to instant replays, the Giants plan to add a wireless feature so fans can order food online for delivery right to their seats.

Apple pie, anyone?

That's awesome, I wish more ball park would do that. Plus the fact that they already have wireless is amazing.

 

[loup garou]

I think it's a step in the right direction for the future, but I don't think I'd ever bring a laptop to a baseball game. Hell, I don't think they'll let you bring a laptop into Yankee Stadium!

 

[dquan97]

I think more people probably would bring a PDA with wireless capabilities. Some of the hardcore fans will bring a laptop though...maybe both

 

[SP33Demon]

It's neat, and would make ordering food easier than waiting for an usher to come and take your order like they do at FedEx Field (Redskins), and having someone bring the food to your seat. However, I haven't seen this technology implemented at ANY baseball game so it'll be nice. They should also allow these people at SF to be able to listen to the play by play Audio from mlb.com, especially for people in the nosebleeds.

 

[ThePresence]

Cool stuff.

 

[imported_Strang]

That's cool. I definitely wouldn't take a laptop, though. Too many beverage related accidents go on at stadiums (and I don't think my laptop could handle a foul ball off the lid).

 

[axelfox]

Does this mean higher ticket prices?

 

[joelmold]

Originally posted by: axelfox
Does this mean higher ticket prices?

SBC underwrites wireless internet access, so I assume they are paying for this too.

from my experience quite a few people bring their laptops and pdas to games, especially during the day. it's close enough to downtown you can run over to a game and not miss much work!

 

[maddogchen]

Go Giants!!!

 

[pmoa]

damn it! that was my master's thesis! I have the project implemented in the carrier dome as well!



Its on the current projects page...its called orangeNet.

my design!