The new video display at Minute Maid Park will the the second largest of its kind |
Size counts. This image shows the size of the old video display at Minute Maid
Park compared to what will be the new display come 2011. Note the new
ribbonboard that will also be a new addition to the ballpark for next season
(source: Houston Astros) |
The Houston Astros will install two new, high-definition video boards and a large ribbonboard at Minute Maid Park in time for the start of the 2011 Major League Baseball season, Astros President of Business Operations Pam Gardner announced on Thursday.
The new primary video board will be located in right field and will measure 54 feet high and 124 feet wide, making it the second-largest board of its kind in the Major Leagues. The Astros current video board is 26 feet high and 45 feet wide. A smaller video board will be installed in left field, and a ribbon board stretching from foul pole to foul pole (over 1,000 feet long) will also be added.
“We’re extremely excited about the changes,” Gardner commented. “It is time. Our current video board has served us well, but it is time for us to make these upgrades, which will increase the entertainment value for our fans. We’re adding a second board in left field so that the fans in right field can enjoy a video board, which has not been the case in the past.
“Everything will be HD, which is the way the world is going. You have to stay fresh. We view Minute Maid Park as our home. It’s our home that we welcome our fans into.”
PREMIUM CLUB SEATING AREA TO BE ADDED
Gardner also announced today that the Astros will be adding a new, premium club seating area on the lower press box/main concourse level behind home plate for the 2011 season. This seating area will include an upscale bar and dining experience option for fans.
“We envision the new seating area to be kind of a fun, hip, space for our fans that will be located in a prime viewing location in the ballpark,” Gardner said.
The lower press box, which had been for the writing press, will be moved up to the broadcast level press box. All media will now be on the same level, which is the case in several Major League ballparks.
The Astros announced that more details and information on the Astros new video boards and renovations will be released later this month.
 Maury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey, as well as a contributor to FanGraphs and Forbes SportsMoney. He is available for hire or freelance. Brown's full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network.
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