ANC Sports takes Nationals to the next level (next season)

By Andrew Lippe

ANC Sports Enterprises and Mitsubishi Electric Diamond Vision Systems have collaborated to create a high-definition scoreboard and a video display system for the Washington Nationals new ballpark. Nationals Park will unveil these state of the art creations when the stadium opens on opening day 2008.

Located in right centerfield will be an astonishing 47- by 101-foot high definition video screen “The video screen is not HD but receives an HD signal,” says Chris Mascatello, ANC Sports Executive Vice President, technology sales and services. It uses line doubling so images are displayed in an enhanced resolution. The Video screen is part of a LED display that also features game and team statistics as well as sponsor graphics. Rotational signage will also be along both baselines, and behind home plate. The LED Displays are operated by ANC’s VisionSOFT software.

“ANC’s in-house software platform is the fifth in a generation of playback control systems,” Mascatello says. “You can control the multiple displays from one operating system.” The master control operates by sending commands to servers throughout the ballpark. They have built in intelligent buttons which are designed to be very open and can communicate to anywhere in the stadium.

“The plug-in can also communicate to triggers or cannons,” Mascatello says. Cannons are often used during home run celebrations. An example of ANC’s software in effect can be seen in AT&T Park when they send off those loud triggers for Barry Bonds home runs.

The stadium will have four fascia displays located on the main level, the club level, and above the home and visitors bullpens. New to Nationals Park will also be two 51-foot long LED video screens and an out of town scoreboard located on the right center field outfield wall.

“The out-of-town scoreboard will be the first in the league to use our StatsLIVE technology,” Mascatello says. StatsLIVE includes a touch screen tablet, a virtual rendering of the playing field and updated MLB stats. The game statistics tracks pitching location and has unparalleled degree of precision and the company plans on building a StatsLIVE for the NBA and the NHL. ANC this year will also help illuminate the All Star Game this year, which is in Barry Bonds’ home ball park in San Francisco.