Folks heading to a Lehigh Valley IronPigs game this season will be able to see replays -- and maybe even themselves -- in super high-definition that's larger than life.
A lot larger.
The minor league baseball team is installing a new 43-by-73-foot HD videoboard at Coca-Cola Park -- the largest in all of Minor League Baseball to incorporate a 16:9 HD aspect ratio.
It will contain 1,897,490 LED bulbs and triple the square-footage of the old scoreboard in left centerfield -- from 1,000 square feet on a 20-by-50-foot display to 3,162-square feet, according to the team.
Installation began this week as the IronPigs prepare for their 10th anniversary season in Allentown. The home opener will be April 6 against the Pawtucket Red Sox.
In all, eight new and larger videoboards will be in use for 2017 and they represent the largest capital improvement project in Coca-Cola Park history, the team said.
The IronPigs are paying for the upgrades and did not disclose the cost. Daktronics supplied the new videoboards.
They incorporate technology for superior brightness, contrast and viewing angles and feature the same industry-leading 15 mm HD resolution as the primary videoboard at the Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, the IronPigs said.
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Since becoming home to the Phillies' AAA affiliate in 2008, Lehigh Valley crowds have made the IronPigs record-breakers in attendance.
"The best fans in Minor League Baseball deserve the premier entertainment and fan experience that the industry has to offer," said Kurt Landes, the team's president and general manager. "Our fans will be happier than pigs in mud when they get their first look at these jaw-dropping HD displays."
Besides the primary videoboard, a new 130-feet-wide ribbon board will be placed above the leftfield signs and be among the widest displays in professional sports, according to the IronPigs.
Other off-season video upgrades include:
- First base and third base fascia displays on the club level facade. At 4-by-30-feet, they will be more than triple the size of the old fascia displays.
- Bullpen videoboard (9.6-by-19.2-feet HD-15 LED display)
- Pitch speed videoboard (15.6-by-9.6-feet HD-15 LED display)
- Time and temperature videoboard (15.6-by-9.6-feet HD-15 LED display)
- Home plate videoboard (3.6-by-7.2-feet HD-15 LED display)
The IronPigs said the new videoboards will operate in unison to enhance the game-day experience and magnify key moments such as home runs, strikeouts or on-field fan contests.
The ribbon board will provide in-game scoring, out-of-town scores, upcoming promotions and enhanced statistical information.
Jim Deegan may be reached at jdeegan@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @jim_deegan. Find lehighvalleylive on Facebook.
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