Matt Jones is the online sports editor for the Arkansas-Democrat-Gazette and Northwest Arkansas Newspapers.
Ribbon boards installed at Baum Stadium
By:
Matt Jones
Published: Monday, March 4, 2013
Photo by Matt Jones
Stadium workers test new LED ribbon boards Monday at Baum Stadium in Fayetteville.
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas fans will notice something a little different for this weekend's baseball series against San Diego State.
A pair of 100-foot LED ribbon boards have been installed down the foul lines at Baum Stadium and will be used for the first time during the four-game series. The Razorbacks and Aztecs will play the first game of the series Thursday at 6:05 p.m.
The university contracted South Dakota-based DAKTRONICS for the work after the company also installed ribbon boards at Bud Walton Arena and Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in recent years. The total cost of the project was $340,000.
Ribbon boards could be the first of several enhancements to the stadium, built in 1996, in coming years. The UA's athletics master plan for facilities calls for additional seating and a new scoreboard, among other additions, though those projects have not been approved.
The university has approved the construction of a dual practice facility for baseball and track adjacent to the stadium that will cost more than $9 million. Officials hope to begin construction on the building this year and have it completed by February 2014.
