A new scoreboard -- finally
Anyone out there as happy as I am about the Lightning and the St. Pete Times Forum getting rid of its antiquated old scoreboard and hanging a new one that is supposed to have one of the largest LED (light emitting diode) screens anywhere in the league.
Team spokesman Bill Wickett said the scoreboard, which is not yet installed and will ultimately be paid for out of the $35-million in tourist taxes Hillsborough County has made available for the arena's upkeep, will be ready for the Oct. 4 season opener with the Devils.
Wickett also said the purchase of the scoreboard was initiated by Lightning owner Palace Sports & Entertainment well before the proposed sale of the team. HiTech Electronic Displays of Clearwater was hired to design and develop the scoreboard system.
Forget those nuts and bolts, though. For fans, the board itself is big stuff. The old scoreboard's video display was almost dirty looking; at least it was fuzzy. And it was easy to miss the action even if you were watching carefully. Well, all that should change with the new multi-million dollar board with screens that apparently are 20 feet high with another four feet of display board on top of that.
If it is anything like some of the LED boards up around the league, you will be shocked -- SHOCKED -- at the clarity.
The difference from the old scoreboard is that there will be no separate space for the score and the time left in the period except on the video board. In other words, all the game information you get will be on the boards. From what I understand, those stats will be displayed much like they are being displayed on your television screen at home when you watch a game. Think ESPN's scoreboard graphic or Sun Sports'.
May take a little getting used to, but the quality of the picture during the game and for replays should make it worth it.
The Times Forum also is putting a 360-degree full-color display ribbon on the face of the arena's lower level. On the face of the its upper level, new scoreboards will be installed at both ends.
It's about time.
Follow the Lightning through the season with beat writer Damian Cristodero and the Times sports staff. We invite your participation in the comments area.
WOO-HOO! I cannot WAIT to see this thing! For someone who spends most of the season hovering high of the game, it will be a real treat to have that much clarity during the game. It'll be like CHRISTMAS MORNING on Oct. 4th! YES!
Posted by: Stacey | August 30, 2007 at 04:45 PM
I agree, it is about time! The one they had was hard to see. This one sounds like it is going to be super. The Lightning organization has again demonstrated that they are here to keep the fans happy. A first class operation. Okay, now I really can't wait until the season starts!
Posted by: Nan | August 30, 2007 at 05:13 PM
I've never had a complaint about the old scoreboard, seemed standard to me, never jumped out as a problem. But if the new one's better, great!
Posted by: JB | August 30, 2007 at 09:54 PM
I've never had a complaint about the old scoreboard, seemed standard to me, never jumped out as a problem. But if the new one's better, great!
Posted by: JB | August 30, 2007 at 09:55 PM
I assume you're talking about the "Jumbo-tron" screen? If so, yippee! Can't wait to see it on the 4th!
Will the new 360 display be installed by the 4th also?
How about the crappy 'other games' scoreboard?
Posted by: Mike13 | August 30, 2007 at 10:44 PM
A scoreboard can do wonders for the game experience. Vancouver got their new one last year. It took some time to get used to it, but I think it makes the game experience a bit more fun for the fans. Back to the Bolts, the new owners should do their best to get the stadium looking in better shape. If you have noticed, much of the interior floors have chipped paint and many of the vendors have just unappealing booths. Yeah, I'm a pain, but little stuff like that just bothers me a bit. Last year, I saw a game at the Honda Center in Anaheim. Wow, the Spanish Tile was everwhere and impressive marble columns. That was the most nicest hockey venue I have ever seen. I have only been to Canucks and Bolts games, but that stadium was really cool. Must be the big time OC money coming in...
One thing that really gets the Canucks fans going is the really inspiring intro video before the guys hit the ice. It shows the players doing family stuff and hanging out in the locker room, all pretty much unrehearsed stuff. Then, you see them in action with the big hits and whatnot, with cool exciting music in the background. That is what the Bolts should do: sell the game as these great athletes, yet more accessable and down to earth, in comparasion to athletes in football and baseball. You know, put more effort in getting the fans pumped up before the games. If you go to a bunch of games, it seems the contests and promotions are really done in a predictable way. It's almost like a junior game in the presentation of the game. Just break up the promotions monotny and really offer something to the fans. Getting the 50/50 lottery would be cool, but that is a stretch. We'll see...
Lastly, PLEASE get rid of the snow making machine as I leave the SPTF. God, that is beyond corny! If you wear shorts to a game, you live in a southern climate, which there is nothing wrong with that. Please, no more phony snow! It is just beyond lame and really shows that maybe Tampa is not a hockey team. Please, lets get serious here! We are building a solid fanbase here. Stunts like this just relegate our passion for this great game. Simply put, no more corny gimmicks!
That's it. I wrote a novel on the subject of a scoreboard. Geez. For anyone who reads this, thanks. Go Bolts! Hope we have plenty to cheer about this year.
Posted by: bolts canucks fan | August 30, 2007 at 10:52 PM
It will be a delight to have the benefit of a new and better scoreboard; yet, now it would be even nicer if they hired someone who knew how to put together good replays - this has been a consistent weakness in this building for years.
The big screen must also be used for advertisements. We all understand that, but ads should never preempt replays of importance and controversial action if the interests of the fans are to be respected.
Posted by: Joe | August 31, 2007 at 02:04 AM
If the sale of the team goes thru I would not worry about the presentation. Anyone who created SAWS will have a cool way to present the team. He will sell the players to the community. Public Relations is a huge part of sports and sorely missed by the Bolts and the NHL. That is where I expect some MAJOR improvement. The fact that we are spending time talking about this stuff indicates the anticipation for the new year soon to be upon us. 13 days from training camp........
Da Bolts
Posted by: goldenbolt | August 31, 2007 at 05:27 AM
It's going to be an interesting year. Let the games and drama begin.
Posted by: Lightning rod | August 31, 2007 at 06:56 AM
Is anyone else amazed that tax dollars are being spent on a scoreboard? The forum is a moneymaker and I understand how with 35 million big ones going to arena upkeep. With all due respect to the public/private partnership at work here, is tax money for a scoreboard really good public policy?
Posted by: Dave | August 31, 2007 at 11:06 AM
Geez, get of the tax thing. Remember the county owns the forum and it is leased by the Lightning and as part of that agreement the bolts have a pot of money over a lenght of time, I believe 10 years. They are to use it strictly for enhancements to the Forum to attract better events etc.
Stop the whining....
Posted by: goldenbolt | August 31, 2007 at 06:36 PM
(1) New scoreboard will be awesome! Having attended games around the league, the Forum really needed an upgrade... especially the NHL Scores around the league. Wasn't last year when they just started indicating the type of penalty with the box time?
(2) The opening at the Forum is lame. There is no sense of a 'tradition' to open the game... even after 3 years people STILL don't know how to say "Let's Play Hockey" in unison!
(3) They should get someone consistent to sing the anthem too. The duo that plays guitar and the black man that sings are the absolute best I have ever heard at ANY game in the NHL.
(4) Maybe Peckam and The Chief could jello wrestle before the game at center ice and then say... "Let's Play Hockey"? LOL.
GO BOLTS!!!!
Posted by: Philip | September 01, 2007 at 07:26 PM
The intro definitely needs work. I moved down here a few years ago from Washington, DC and the Caps have an awesome intro, although they've probably revamped it a bit since Ovechkin came to town. Anyway, the "old" intro had a Mission Impossible feel to it with secret documents being carried by Secret Service looking guys. One of the guys turns out to be Olie Kolzig. I'm not doing it justice, it's pretty neat to watch.
You get my point, they definitely need to update the intro video. They always start with a weather update. I think it would be neat it they changed it to a fake weather update and said something to the effect of...
Looks like a storm is moving through the downtown area. Expect great lightning action and thunderous hits.
Posted by: Mike13 | September 01, 2007 at 09:18 PM
thank you
Posted by: Sohbet | September 05, 2007 at 06:19 AM