Giants' Ballpark Pitches Wireless Access to Internet Fans

The Associated Press ^ | Mar 31, 2004 | Anon West Coast Stringer

[Pharmboy]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - If Barry Bonds ties Willie Mays' career home run record at home in the next few weeks, Giants fans will spread the news with e-mails and instant messages - without ever leaving their stadium seats. When SBC Park opens Thursday for the first of three home exhibition games leading up to the regular season, 121 wireless access points will provide high-speed Internet access in all concourses and seating areas.

The ballpark, known until this year as Pacific Bell Park, will become one of the world's largest public Wi-Fi "hot spots" for people with laptops and handheld computers.

Fans who bring Wi-Fi-enabled devices may use the ballpark's network for free during the 2004 season. SBC Communications Inc., which installed the equipment with Nortel Networks Corp., may charge for access next year.

San Antonio-based SBC charges $7.95 per day for its wireless Freedomlink network, or $19.95 per month.

"When we opened SBC Park in 2000," said Giants executive vice president Larry Baer, "our goal was to be one of the most technologically advanced sports facilities in the world."

AP-ES-03-31-04 1740EST

[Pharmboy]

Freepin' at the ballpark! Excellent!

Now I can win all those arguments about stats...

[billorites]

I'd like someone to recommend a good portable device for accessing web pages on my wireless network.

My laptop's too big, most I've played with are.

I just want to surf in my Lazy Boy without an anchor in my lap.

[Pharmboy]

My company issued a Dell Latitude to me
and it's light and a pleasure to use (CD-ROM and floppy drive are peripheral). Strongly recommend (I have NOTHING WHATSOEVER to do with Dell; I had been a Tosh user for years, but now I swear by Dell).

[kaktuskid]

"SBC Park"...sounds like some Korean guy (just like the old 3Com Park!)

[lewislynn]

The game's so boring the fans need something to do for a couple of hours.

[JamesWilson]

I bought a wireless Dell Axim with foldable keyboard last month. It's one of the coolest things I've ever owned. Everyone who sees it LOVES it and wants to try it. Rather inexpensive, too. I carry it in my pocket everywhere.

[cyborg]

I have a Compaq handheld and a Dell laptop. Not good for someone who already has a crippling Internet addiction :-)

[JamesWilson]

I have a Compaq handheld and a Dell laptop. Not good for someone who already has a crippling Internet addiction :-)

I know! Never start playing that d*mn Jawbreaker game, either!!! It's worse that Tetris!

[cyborg]

I would hate to get a caption pic of Ole Crusty when the bases are loaded. A loud yell would disturb the players ;-)

[ninergold3]

To us true Giants fans it will always be The Belle aka Pac Bell Park

[xrp]

Hearing how security in professional sports' stadiums might start get like airport security, I really don't see myself bringing my laptop along so "security" gimps can wand it, me and my loved ones just for going to see a bunch of overpaid crybabies play a kid's sport.

[bootless]

Never called it 3Com. It's the Stick.

Never gonna call it SBC Park. It's PacBell Park. Period.