Scoreboard watching now more fun at Goldeyes games

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This article was published 17/03/2024 (538 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The home of the Winnipeg Goldeyes is undergoing a makeover.

The most prominent change at Blue Cross Park on opening day will be a new state-of-the-art video screen in right-centre field.

Previously, the park featured a traditional scoreboard with a video screen above it, surrounded by advertisements. It lasted over a decade, but its picture quality — especially in sunlight — was dated.

The new display is a 2,160 sq. ft. LED board with high-definition resolution that promises clear visibility whether it’s a day game or night cap.

The Fish wanted a new scoreboard back in 2020, but the pandemic stomped out those plans. The wait has proven to be worthwhile as there has been advancements in video screen technology since.

This will be the third screen they’ve had in the 25-year history of the downtown ballpark.

It’s expected to be delivered and installed next week.

“It’s 100 per cent screen and it’s among one of the largest for outdoors that you can get,” said Goldeyes vice president and CEO Regan Katz.

“The big plus for us is that certain companies have really evolved with dealing with reflections, light balance, and things like that, which, for outdoor screens is a massive change. We’re just really excited to now be able to put something out there that competes and will be as good as your home viewing experience but from 400 feet away.”

Fans can admire the screen from the new Left Field Patio which will be situated right underneath the popular Craft Beer Corner. The seats in section A and B have been cleared out to create an inviting space for spectators to take in the action and visit with one another with pub-style tables and chairs. The area is split into two — an upper and a lower patio. The upper can accommodate up to 90 guests while the lower holds 110. The patios can also be rented for private events (between $1,600-$1,800 each or $3,000 for both).

The total cost for all the improvements is well over $1.5 million.

“When you’re in the stands, you’re sociable with the person in front of you, the person behind you, the people beside you and that’s kind of your four-person circle. Coming out and being able to have a stand and mingle room like our Craft Beer Corner, one corporations, parties, family gatherings can have to be able to stand, mingle, visit with everyone and just have that good, social atmosphere is really appealing,” said Katz, who’s entering his 26th season with the organization.

“We have two patios (already), they’re booked solid. So, the ability to extend the Craft Beer Corner, the original Craft Beer Corner, and put out two more patios that can be those spaces as well was a no brainer.”

Players have some things to get excited about as well. As a part of a league-wide initiative, the Fish are installing the TrackMan system. The days of radar guns are in the past as the new software — a combination of advanced radars and cameras — tracks in-depth ball and player data on things like home run distances, pitch velocity, spin rate, launch angle, exit velocity, and trajectory.

“The fun piece for us is we have access to it all. It’s not just to put it on a piece of paper and show it to the teams after the game. We get it real-time live, so we can feed the information to the scoreboard,” said Katz.

“If a guy has a really wide throw or throws a knuckleball, a radar gun might not track it, but the TrackMan will.”

More exciting for players is that the club purchased a sleeper bus this off-season. In the past, they’ve used coach buses which are far from ideal on long roadtrips to places like Texas. Winnipeg has by far the longest travel distances in the 12-team league.

It’s more of a semi-truck with a trailer, and Katz had the task of heading down to Wichita, Kan., to scope it out and drive it back home after the team won the bid.

In addition to players having their own bunk beds, there’s dinette areas and smart TVs spread throughout the cabin.

“My hope is there will be less chiropractor (visits) and less massages. When guys get off a 12-hour bus ride, they’re pretty rigid,” said Katz.

The Goldeyes open the 2024 campaign on the road against the Cleburne Railroaders on May 9. Their home opener takes place May 21 against the Chicago Dogs.

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

X: @TaylorAllen31