Cisco and the New York Yankees chat up $16 million stadium technology infrastructure
By Jim Duffy , Network World , 11/11/2008


Fans at the new Yankee Stadium will have an "immersive" video experience in which 1,100 high-definition screens will keep them glued to the game even when they are not at their seats.

Such was the promise this week from Cisco and the New York Yankees as they discussed the $15 million to $16 million technology infrastructure and potential for the fan experience at the stadium, slated to open in April 2009.

From a Yankees widget on their mobile phone or PDA, fans will be able to view the game from different angle around the stadium, launch instant replays, access statistics specific to the game situation, and interact with other fans in a community of shared interest, Yankees and Cisco officials said.

"This is where high-tech is going," Cisco CEO John Chambers said during the press conference.

"We're changing the fan experience. Video is the key word here."

Added Hal Steinbrenner, co-chairman of the Yankees, "We're working on fan amenities which will be second to none. The fan experience is of utmost importance to us. They will be amazed at a lot of the things available to them."

There will be no TVs in the new Yankee Stadium, just 1,100 high-definition IPTV monitors that will provide various views, angles and information on the game -- before, during and after -- with content pushed to the monitors as appropriate. Along with the live game broadcast, monitors will be capable of simultaneously providing up-to-date sports scores, Yankees trivia, news and weather from a single viewing screen.

At the conclusions of games, these monitors will let the Yankees the direct patrons to the nearest exits and provide traffic information. In the event of an emergency, all stadium monitors can be mobilized to display evacuation instructions.

On non-game days, these same monitors can be used to display customized content and information for special events such as conferences, weddings and other group activities.

The infrastructure will be "completely wireless, top to bottom;" players will have touch screen computers at their lockers; and Cisco's high-definition TelePresence virtual conferencing system will be installed at a library in the Bronx to allow students to interact with Yankee players.

"Yankee Stadium will be in a constant state-of-the-artness," said Yankee Chief Operating Officer Lonn Trost in a statement that would make Yogi Berra proud.

Cisco officials say the stadium will be the most technologically advanced stadium in the country, if not the world. They said Cisco technology is used in 60% of the sporting venues in North America, including the new Cisco Field being built in Fremont, Calif.

Fans in luxury suites can view the game from different angles by manipulating the touch screen of Cisco IP phones (compare unified communications products) in those suites. They will also be able to order concessions and Yankees merchandise for delivery to the suite.

Over time, fans will be able order food from their seats through their mobile phones, and high-definition screens on the exterior of the stadium will show what's going on inside, Cisco officials said.

Cisco and the Yankees began discussions two and a half years ago on the technological infrastructure and application for the stadium, which is replacing the venerable, 85-year-old "House the Ruth Built."

"We had to have the best capabilities" in fan amenities at the new ballpark," Trost said. "We had to step up and allow the fan experience to be improved."

"This is the front edge of what sports and entertainment will be like" in the future, Cisco's Chambers said. Like Star Trek…that's where we're going to go. This will change all of sports."

Cisco said it is in active discussions with other sports franchises about upgrading their stadium fan experience with similar capabilities.

http://www.networkworld.c...tml?page=1



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20 Greatest Moments In Yankee Stadium History
by Angela Montefinise (New York Post - 9/21/2008)

1. April 18, 1923: Yankee Stadium opens.
2. Nov. 10, 1928: "Win one for the Gipper!" (Notre Dame vs Army)
3. June 22, 1938: Joe Louis beats Max Schmeling.
4. July 4, 1939: Lou Gehrig's speech.
5. April 27, 1947: Babe Ruth bids farewell.
6. Oct. 4, 1955: Dem Bums finally win. (Brooklyn Dodgers beat the NY Yankees)
7. Oct. 8, 1956: Don Larsen is perfect in the Series (Throws perfect game)
8. Dec. 28, 1958: "The Greatest Game Ever Played" (Baltimore Colts vs NY Giants)
9. Oct 1, 1961: Maris hits 61
10. Sept. 28, 1976: Muhammad Ali beats Ken Norton
11. Oct. 14, 1976: Fans celebrate with Chris Chambliss (pennant winning, bottom of the ninth HR)
12. Oct 18, 1977: REG-GIE! REG-GIE! (Mr. October hits 3 HRs)
13. July 4, 1983: Righetti throws a no-no against Sox
14. July 24, 1983: George Brett goes batty (The "pine tar" incident)
16. Oct. 9, 1996: Jeffrey Maier "home run" (fan "helped" Jeter fly ball)
17. July 18, 1999: David Cone is perfect
18. Sept. 23, 2001: Prayer for America
19. April 20, 2008: Pope Benedict XVI
20. July 1, 2004: Derek Jeter's dive

Full story: http://www.nypost.com/sev...htm?page=0

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The last game I attended at the stadium was 9/24/1999. (Yankees vs Tampa Bay Devil Rays).
My Dad and I sat 4 rows directly behind the Yankee dugout.
Losing 3-1, they scored 2 runs in the bottom of the 9th to tie it up.
The game was won in true Yankee fashion on a bottom of the 11th inning home run by Alfonso Soriano.






...Some great memories at this place.



tA

Tribal Disorder

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