The installation of two new videoboards and stadium-wide WiFi "are among the ongoing offseason projects at Busch Stadium that will enhance the fan experience," according to Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com. The videoboard in center field, as well as the smaller out-of-town scoreboard alongside it, "has already been removed, leaving behind exposed framework." Coming soon "will be two new HD LED scoreboards." The new main videoboard "will be almost three times bigger in size, with twice the resolution and brightness of the old board." The out-of-town scoreboard "will be about 2.5 times bigger, also with twice the resolution and brightness of the previous one." Cardinals VP/Stadium Operations Joe Abernathy said, "Technology has progressed considerably since we put this in back in April 2006. But we did get upset actually when the Cubs had a better videoboard than us. ...We don't want to be sitting behind the Cubs in anything." Langosch noted these "will be the first new scoreboards installed since Busch Stadium III opened" in '06. The ribbon boards down the line and all control room equipment also are "being replaced" as part of renovations costing over $8M. The Cardinals have also "begun upgrading some suites and replacing the lower-level green seats" (MLB.com, 1/3). In Chicago, Tim Bannon notes the Busch Stadium upgrades are "expected to be ready for the Cardinals' home opener on April 11" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 1/5).
GAME THEORY: in Chicago, Kyle Thele wrote the Cardinals' reaction is "a bit petty and unusual, especially considering" their history of on-field success compared to the Cubs, but this "is apparently how the Cardinals do their part in the rivalry" (SUNTIMES.com, 1/4). The CHICAGO TRIBUNE's Bannon notes the Cubs last season "installed new video boards at Wrigley Field." Most prominent "is the board in left field, which at 3,990 square feet is nearly twice as big as Wrigley's center-field scoreboard." The "baseball video board war" has also seen the White Sox announce in October plans for three new boards in '16 (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 1/5).
