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Wireless Dreaming

November 15, 2006 1:08 PM

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The A's have notions of moving out of McAfee Colisseum. It's far from being a done deal, but they are working on a partnership with Cisco, makers of wireless everything. PC World reports that they have some fabulous concepts.

This is some pretty forward thinking. The Twins need to get on this bandwagon right away:

Cisco's Ballpark Will be Wireless Showcase

The A's aren't just leaving Oakland, they're moving to a high-tech ballpark crafted by Cisco Systems to also show off its wireless networking technology.

Cisco CEO John Chambers on Tuesday described plans for the up-to-$500 million ballpark in Fremont, California, 22 miles south of the team's current home. Our IDGNS News Service colleague Robert Mullins filed a report.

The 34,000-seat Cisco Field will feature a wireless network on which fans can use handheld devices to watch instant replays, order food and beverages, communicate with friends, and keep score. Fans will be able to buy tickets online, receive their ticket as a file on a smartphone to show at the gate, and visit kiosks inside the stadium to upgrade their seats. Stadium employees will use other handheld communicators that use radio-frequency identity (RFID) technology to locate and talk to each other.

"This is about how we take America’s favorite pastime and enable it for where the future will be," Chambers at the announcement, accompanied by A's owner Lewis Wolff, Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig and others. He added that as many as 80 technology applications have been considered for the stadium.

Completion of the new stadium, near Cisco's San Jose headquarters, may be three to five years away. Cisco is also weighing which technology companies it will will partner with to develop the platform for Cisco Field. Similar Cisco technology is deployed at Busch Stadium, the home field of baseball's St. Louis Cardinals in St. Louis, Missouri.

"This state-of-the-art ball park that is going to be built will be not only one of our treasures, but it will set the pace for ballparks that come after it," Selig said.

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Hi! How r u?
nice site!

Posted on April 28, 2007 at 2:30 PM by shadowman 1

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Seventh inning sing-along.

They can put a camera just about anywhere. (Photo by Jeff Ewer)

"Hey, Ma, it says here we go in at gate 34. Must be all the way around on the other side!" Seriously, though, this is a really inspired idea.

Plaza signage

Missing: imagination.

Larry DiVito takes a last check of everything before the game starts

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Yankee Stadium

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Grid for the ironwood louvres is in place

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Today's late-inning office.

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Dan Mehls, Mortenson Construction

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Did you notice the flowers?

Concept drawing of Coomer gate (click to enlarge)

From the Downtown Council's 2025 Plan, a Metrodome "Revelopment" and a strong indication of where they think a new Vikings stadium should go.

This is the Metropolitan Club as viewed from the future Ballpark Authority office space.

On this day, George was handling fruits and veggies right inside gate 34.

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An early concept drawing for the site

Polo Grounds facade, obscured

I think AP is in there somewhere...

View from the batter's eye seats

Look closely at the overhang. You'll see the on the right it is flush with the fence, and then it sticks out farther and farther as you move toward center. More fun for Michael Cuddyer.

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Integrating the administration building was really a great idea. Actually, there will be more things inside than just offices, but that will probably be some sweet space.

This is why I get it, even if I don't like it.

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