Wi-Fi a Hit at BallparkWi-Fi a Hit at Ballpark

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Raley Field, home of the Sacramento River Cats, the national leading Triple-A baseball team, is quickly becoming one of professional sports’ most technologically advanced venues and is seeing its vision of a wireless ballpark come to fruition.

The catalyst? WiFi (wireless fidelity) technology. The stadium recently implemented wireless Internet access to customers in suites and the exclusive “Solon Club”—a valued service for business and corporate clientele. And by next season, all fans will be able to operate laptop computers, PDAs and other wireless devices from their seats for access to up-to-the-minute stats and replays. Attendees will also be able to order a hot dog and Coke—delivered right to their seats – or order tickets for future games.

While other sports teams, including major league club, are experimenting with WiFi features, Raley Field continues to be ahead of the curve.

“We’re not aware of anyone else creating a totally wireless environment at a ballpark,” says Alan Ledford, president and chief operating officer of the River Cats and Raley Field. “Our new wireless element adds significant value to the organization, especially in terms of time/cost savings and customer satisfaction.”

Fans are not the only ones to benefit from the technology investment at Raley Field. In addition to consumer email and Internet access, a WiFi network—or “hot spot”—offers a range of organizational benefits. For example, operations staff are able to adjust the stadium’s lighting and HVAC systems remotely from anywhere in the ballpark using wireless PDAs or other handheld devices, versus having to do it from a control room.

The ball club is also exploring technology systems for ticket scanning at the gates, immediate updates to seating for real time information integration, as well as monitoring and viewing the stadium’s existing security cameras – all via wireless devices. These systems are expected to be in place by the end of the year.

Corporate Information Exchange (CIE), a technology knowledge bank and services firm based in the Sacramento area, originally hatched the idea and presented the wireless concept and to executives at Raley Field.

“CIE’s vision for a “Digital Ballpark” has provided a unique opportunity to partner with the Sacramento River Cats and Raley Field. Here, we can provide added value to business operations, enhance the guest experience and showcase technology in motion,” said Ali Mackani, co-founder of Corporate Information Exchange.

For more information on Raley Field’s “Digital Ballpark” and wireless initiatives, call 916-371-HITS or visit www.rivercats.com.