Dodger Stadium
MLB - LA Dodgers
Los Angeles, California

Seat Count: 56,000
Project Type: Renovation
Original Construction: 1962
Projects Completed : Seasons 2000,
2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007,
2008, 2009
AD Scope: Sound Reinforcement, Video
Production, Broadcast Infrastructure, LED
Displays, Clubs/Suites A/V, Scoring &
Timing Systems, In-House Cable TV
Systems, Room Acoustics

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Related Profiles: Dodger Vision

Dodger Stadium renovations began in 2000 with the construction of the Dugout club, a nine-row, 565-seat area that is 25 feet closer to home plate, upgrades to the press box and Stadium Club, and the addition of 30 new luxury suites. AD provided acoustics consulting, MATV design, Broadcast ENG accommodation, audio-video for concourses, suites and clubs as well as the cabling infrastructure for the stadium and the replacement of all of the broadcast engineering and MATV wiring throughout the stadium.

Following the 2000 season, AD carefully evaluated fan surveys regarding the Dodger Stadium experience and followed up with thorough interviews of both A/V production members and team management to understand the limitations of the present system and ideas for the new one. This research resulted in a fast-tracked design solution delivered in time for the 2001 season highlighted by a unique centerfield sound cluster tailored to emphasize the talents of longtime PA announcer Mike Carlucci and organist Nancy Bea Hefley. Supplemental sound clusters were designed to be incorporated into the existing left and right field scoreboards to give the production team greater capability to offer sound effects that seem to “move” between speakers.

The third phase of the renovation included giving the video boards in the outfield and the production control room a needed upgrade. There was much discussion about the entertainment value of expanding the boards against impacting the view for which Dodger Stadium is famous and therefore fundamentally changing the experience in the stands. The Dodgers made the tough decision that bigger isn’t always better and the new boards were positioned within existing structures. Additionally, current trends in major league ballparks, would dictate that the right field scoreboard, which is reminiscent of the days when stats and scores were changed by hand, be replaced with a new large screen video display to provide the opportunity for multiple imaging; however, it was decided that going along with current trends would mean a loss of something that is uniquely “Dodgers”.

Along with the upgrade to the boards, came a significant renovation to the video production control room. With the expansion of the space, a more ergonomic layout, a new digital backbone and dedicated a/v routing and digital servers, the control room now facilitates broadcast level production.