AAA baseball team may be first ballpark with Wi-Fi: I can't seem to recall a similar story, and the Sacramento River Cats think they're the first at Raley Field. (In Portland, Ore., a ballpark has Wi-Fi, but only through a nearby connection which caused a little controversy.)
Initially, Wi-Fi is available just in suites and the "Solon Club," their business club. (A Solon is a wise and capable leader, says the dictionary, named for the Athenian legislator.)
But next season, Wi-Fi will be ubiquitous, and they expect laptops and PDAs to show up. Even better -- peanuts, getcher peanuts! USB phone charger, getcher USB phone charger -- fans will be able to order food delivered to their seats.
In my continuing theme to find the infrastructure/information technology angle to all public-space hot spots, the ballpark says that their operations staff will use the Wi-Fi system to adjust lighting and heating/cooling remotely via handhelds. They'll also scan tickets at the gates and use it for security systems by year's end.
I grew up near Sacramento, and was ecstatic when I heard that a AAA club was coming. I've been to Raley Field many times since, but I'd never thought to bring my laptop for a trip to the Old Ballgame. My folks are season ticket holders...I'll have to get my Dad to check it out during the playoffs.
As for the the Solon Club, the name comes from the old Sacramento Solons who were the baseball club way way back in the past. Part of that whole Capital City thing.
Control the lighting via Wi-Fi? How long before a rabid home-team-fan-and-hacker decides that the lights shine only in the opposing pitcher's eyes, or that the opposing team's fans get to enjoy having the heaters on - in August?