The "major role technology is playing" could lead to very different blueprints for baseball venues built in the coming years, according to Andrew Seligman of the AP, who writes under the header, "For Ballpark Design, It Could Be Different Game In The Future." AECOM Sports Design Dir of Architecture Mike Wekesser "mentioned the annual Festival of Lights in Lyon, France, where images depicting its heritage are projected onto centuries-old buildings and the city gets transformed for four days." Wekesser, with regard to how that could work at a ballpark, said, "The exterior skin could be constantly changing, be a reflection of what's going on in the stands or going on within the community." Seligman wrote this feature could "allow teams to project images of their players, broadcast interviews, discuss the most recent game, promote the history and direction of the franchise." It also "could serve as ad space." Populous Founder & Senior Principal Earl Santee "anticipates noticeable changes at ballparks" even in the next few years, including "video boards with 4K screens." Another change could be "virtual-reality clubs that might allow fans to try to replicate that diving stop they just saw" a player make. Santee: "You could walk into it and all three dimensions of the room would be part of the game. You could be the guy in the outfield. One wall is the outfield, you've got fans on three sides. You go in there and you feel like you are completely part of the game." Seligman noted it is all "part of a design trend away from large club spaces." In their place "are more gathering spots that are smaller in capacity, allowing teams to provide a greater variety of experiences at the ballpark" (AP, 4/22).
