Safeco Field, built in 1999 and located in Seattle, Washington, houses the world’s second largest open/close roof with natural grass, is the Seattle Mariners home field and hosts more than 2 million fans per year. The street display being installed in the field today is a combination of SANYO’s proprietary waterproofing, dust protection and cooling technology, which can be used outside even while weather happens. The display features high brightness and advanced cooling control mechanisms. Weatherproof monitors will allow the stadium to display contents for ads or public information with clarity and brightness even outdoors.

“This 82-inch LCD monitor will give us a new way to provide information to our fans at Safeco Field without having to worry about the effects of weather.  We are very happy that SANYO chose to make its entrance into the North American digital signage market here at our home ballpark,” said Bob Aylward, Executive Vice President Business Operations, Seattle Mariners.

The growing digital signage market allows additional streams of income from innovative advertising options, and the digital signs are often seen in areas where people gather, outdoors, outside a store, at street intersections, etc. The signage serves a dual purpose, providing pertinent information to customers and the general public, as well as conveying sponsor messaging. Digital signage is very big in North America and Europe. Along with the proliferation of digital signs, there is also a shift to network the devices, and it is estimated that the market for digital signage will continue to grow to a market scope of approximately $2 billion in North America, and is said that it will expand to about $10 billion by 2015 (according SANYO forecasts).

“It is our privilege on this occasion to have the Mariners install our first large 82-inch LCD Weatherproof Street Display,” commented Mitsuru Homma, Executive Vice President of SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. “With this prominent appeal to our latest innovation in digital signage, this type of large monitor has officially made our presence known in the North American digital signage market.”

SANYO, on this occasion, officially is bringing the product as a digital signage option to North America. While the product is developed and manufactured by SANYO Electric, the sales for the product and services will be handled by the regional sales headquarters, SANYO North America Corporation.

The Mariners are slated to purchase and install approximately 250 SANYO TVs in their stadium this fiscal year, and when combined with the TVs already installed, the number of SANYO TVs in Safeco Field will be 656 units.

Main Features of 82” LCD Weatherproof Display

1. Industry’s top class 82”, high brightness (1300 cd/m2) LCD panel, with flexibility to adjust brightness dependent on ambient lighting conditions (1300 cd/m2 to 280 cd/m2)
2. Waterproof, dust-proof design with reinforced glass to allow installation outdoors in a variety of environmental conditions
3. Built-in heat pipe and compressors to create a unique cooling system, allowing placement or installation even under sunlight conditions outdoors

Components of the multi-year sponsorship agreement include:

• Presenting sponsor of out of town scores on Safeco Field’s new LED Out of Town Scoreboard,
• Prime advertising signage on the Out of Town Scoreboard (12’ 2” x 11’ 8” lighted “Built Ford Tough” sign on the right side of the scoreboard),
• One half inning per game on the home plate rotational signage,
• Title sponsor of the popular Hat Trick video board feature,
• Presenting sponsor for two weekend homestands during the season,
• Ford vehicle on display at Section 142 of the Main Concourse.

The Northwest Ford Dealers agreement also contains the first social media components of a sponsorship package for the Seattle Mariners.  Mariners pitcher Ryan Rowland-Smith and catcher Rob Johnson will drive various Ford vehicles over the course of the season.  Rowland-Smith, who has 5,215 followers on his Twitter feed http://twitter.com/hyphen18, will post comments about his driving experience.

“The Mariners and Ford have both been on a bit of a roll lately and this new partnership comes at a great time for both organizations.  We’re glad to welcome Ford to Safeco Field as one of our newest corporate sponsors,” said Bob Aylward, Executive Vice President Corporate Business, Seattle Mariners.

“As Chairman of the Northwest Ford Dealers I can say we are thrilled to be teamed with the Mariners.  It is a perfect union, the Mariners are coming off a great 2009, and have strengthened their lineup, as has Ford Motor Company.  We have quality that is second to none, and a lineup of vehicles that fit with the diversity of baseball fans.  From Hybrids, to family haulers, to work trucks, to horsepower, Ford has it all.  We are looking forward to a long partnership with the Mariners, and the first of many World Series crowns in 2010,” said D.J. Tapley, Skagit River Ford owner and Chairman of the Northwest Ford Dealers.

Fans will also get an up close experience with Ford products at 24 Mariners home games this season with the Street Team mobile multi-media exhibit.  The 40-foot long trailer, pulled by a Ford F-450, has computer kiosks with access to the Northwest Ford Stores website (www.compareford.com), two video gaming systems, flat-screen TV monitors and wheel and tire displays.  Each appearance by the Street Team will also feature 7-8 Ford vehicles all on display across from the Safeco Field Home Plate Gate for every Saturday and Sunday home game.

Fans at Seattle Mariners games at Safeco Field this season will find a new line-up at concessions stands.  In addition to long-time favorites, there will be an emphasis on fresh, local and healthy options, and a focus on affordability.

Not to worry, garlic fries, Ivar’s clam chowder and hot dogs are still available, but for the more adventuresome palate, Centerplate, the exclusive caterer for Safeco Field, offers fans a variety of new offerings.  Some of the highlights are:

• Philly cheese steaks with hand cut fries, beef and lamb gyros, Greek salad, prime rib nachos,
• Dungeness crab sandwich, blackened salmon sandwich, peel & eat shrimp bucket, gluten-free halibut & chips
• Seattle’s own all natural, handmade Cucina Fresca pasta,
• An expanded vegetarian menu, featuring whole fresh fruit, gluten-free, vegan and organic selections including fruit smoothies,
• Deli option to build your own meals with grab-n-go sandwiches and sides of pasta, potato or coleslaw salads and chips,
• Hope’s Country Fresh Cookies, house-made cupcakes and caramel apples, chocolate dipped Rice Krispies Treats.

Value Menu

A Value Menu will be available at all games and there will be rotating special offers throughout the season.  The value selections will be available at the concession stand near Section 105, which is located close to the Center Field Bleachers and the Family Section at 103.  The second location is near Section 319 on the Upper Concourse.  The items available at the value locations include:

• 12 oz soda for $2.50
• 12 oz Aquafina water for $2.75
• Small hot dog for $3.50
• 4 oz bag peanuts for $2.50
• Small Cracker Jack for $1.75
• Small Popcorn for $2.50
• 16 oz beer for $5.50
• 20 oz beer for $6.50
• 130 oz popcorn tub with one free refill at all Rolling Roof stands

In addition to the value menu locations, fans can also get $2 hot dogs at all 10 Value games during the season, which offer $5 ticket discounts.

Blazing Bagels

Also joining the Safeco Field lineup is Blazing Bagels, which will operate a street level store near the flag-ship Seattle Mariners Team Store near the Left Field Gate.  Blazing Bagels will offer a selection of deli sandwiches, bagel dogs, sides, assorted bagels and schmears.  The Safeco Field store will be open Monday-Friday from 7am-3pm, during all Mariners games and for major events in the stadium district.  Blazing Bagels, which bills itself as “The Best Bagels East of New York,” has two other locations in Redmond on 176^th Ave. Northeast and in Bellevue at 108^th Ave. Northeast.

Wonderful Pistachios

Grown in California, Wonderful Pistachios will be available at Rolling Roof stands and beverage portable stands throughout the ballpark.  Wonderful Pistachios are roasted and lightly salted for a delicious all-natural, healthy snack.

Organic

The concession stand at Section 132 on the Main Concourse is being re-branded “The Natural,” and will feature a full selection of organic and vegetarian items.  In addition to the Garden Burger and veggie dog, there will be a hummus platter, rotating vegan soup, fruit juice and whole fruit, gluten-free “Kind Plus” snack bars, organic gummy snacks, and organic smoothies in strawberry, Very Berry, mango and peach.

Local Connections

Seattle’s own Cucina Fresca pasta will be featured in four dishes at the Bistro stand at Section 216 of the Wells Fargo Terrace Club.  The pasta bowls will come with a choice of toppings including vegetarian.  Bread from Essential Baking Company will be featured in sandwiches such as the Dungeness crab sandwich, available at the Sound Seafood stand, which will be served on garlic artisan French bread.  Essential Baking is an organic, artisan bakery with locations in Madison Valley and Wallingford.

The hand-cut French fries, available at the Fielder’s Choice stand at Section 136, are made with Kennebec potatoes grown by Bud-Rich Potatoes of Hermiston, OR.  The potatoes have high starch content and are prized for their firm yet creamy consistency and slight nutty flavor.  Kennebecs are multi-purpose potatoes, but are becoming the top choice in culinary circles for French frying.

Another new potato treat is Skinny Skins, house-made rustic potato chips served with sour cream, chives, cheese sauce and bacon bits.  Skinny Skins will be available at the Bases Loaded concession stand at Section 212 in the Wells Fargo Terrace Club and at the Field Grill stand in the Bullpen Market.

New foods with a new look club and a winning attitude make Safeco Field the place to be this season.  Hope to see you at the Ballpark!

The Community Shield concept comes from football clubs in Europe which annual hold matches with all proceeds benefitting local community organizations.  Proceeds from this match will benefit the team’s four community partners:  Boys and Girls Club of Washington State, Save the Children, Seattle SCORES and Washington Youth Soccer.

Are you a Sounders FC fan?  Will you be at the match?

The Mariners kick off their spring season later today in Peoria, Arizona.  Here is the official press release:

The Seattle Mariners will officially open Cactus League play with a 1:05 p.m. MT/12:05 PT spring training game against the San Francisco Giants.

Right-handed pitcher Doug Fister (3-4, 4.13 with Seattle in 2009) will make the start for the Mariners. The Giants will counter with two-time reigning National League Cy Young award winner Tim Lincecum (former University of Washington star).

Also scheduled to pitch in the Cactus League opener is Kanekoa Texeira (RHP), Ricky Orta (RHP), David Pauley (RHP), Mike Koplove (RHP), Jesús Colomé (RHP) and Chris Seddon (LHP).

The game will be carried live on the radio in the Seattle area on ESPN 710 Seattle and the Mariners Radio Network.

Manager Don Wakamatsu has announced the following starting lineup for the Cactus League opener: