About baseball scoreboards
Over the last few decades, baseball scoreboards have improved tremendously thanks to advancements in LED technology and software control systems. Today’s scoreboards do a better job of providing clear, reliable game information and keeping fans engaged than ever before.
For venues looking to enhance the experience for fans, LED video scoreboards are a particularly good solution, one that offers high visibility and dynamic content potential.
If you’re looking for a baseball scoreboard for sale, keep reading to learn the 5 facts you need to know before buying. But first, let’s take a brief look at what a baseball scoreboard is, as well as a couple of category distinctions.
What is a baseball scoreboard?
A baseball scoreboard is a display system that provides real-time game information, which includes scores, balls, strikes, outs, and innings.
There are different kinds of baseball scoreboards, including basic electronic LED scoreboards that you typically see at local recreational or high school games and higher-end LED video scoreboards commonly found in collegiate and professional stadiums.
Let’s look at the differences between these two types.
Basic electronic LED scoreboard
Basic electronic LED scoreboards use high-intensity LED bulbs that are typically encased in durable aluminum or steel housings. These scoreboards have large, clearly defined digits. They also have minimal maintenance needs, making them an ideal choice for smaller facilities with limited budgets.
Basic electric LED scoreboards, unlike their more advanced video scoreboard counterparts, lack the ability to show dynamic content like replays or animations. This is a big distinction.
LED video scoreboard
LED video scoreboards, meanwhile, use modular LED panels, which are constructed from various materials that depend on the specifications and use. There are substantial differences between indoor and outdoor video scoreboards. For instance, outdoor video scoreboards usually have high IP ratings and high-contrast LEDs for visibility in sunlight.
LED video scoreboards represent a higher-end product genre with more advanced software and much more dynamic display capabilities. Baseball facilities today, especially at the university level, need LED video scoreboards. The ability to generate revenue by running advertisements is a key benefit that can’t be overlooked. Moreover, LED video scoreboards offer a much greater degree of flexibility than basic electronic scoreboards.
Now that we’ve provided some distinctions, let’s move on to the 5 facts that you should know before buying a baseball scoreboard.
5 Facts to know before buying a baseball scoreboard for sale
1. Brightness and visibility heavily impact the audience experience
When it comes to baseball scoreboards, visibility is absolutely essential to keeping fans engaged. This is true whether you’re using a basic electronic LED scoreboard or a high-tech video display.
For basic electronic LED scoreboards, choosing a product with high-intensity LED bulbs, high color contrast between the digits and background, and an anti-glare front is the right choice. This will definitely pay off in the long run, especially when it’s sunny outside and you’ve got people squinting against the glare of the sun.
For LED video displays, choosing a system that offers brightness of 5,000 nits or more is necessary to maintain visibility outdoors.
Your scoreboard’s placement is also a key consideration.
2. Software can make or break your scoreboard experience
Operating a baseball scoreboard requires training, especially if you’re using a software system that includes multiple complex features. Here is where simplicity and ease of use become critical.
After all, imagine a scenario where your staff is struggling to update a score in real-time because the interface requires multiple steps just to input basic information. Or picture a staff member trying to adjust the game clock under pressure, only to get stuck on an unnecessarily complicated menu.
These are the kinds of things that can make or break your experience with a scoreboard. Common sense will tell you that you need a user-friendly system that allows you to focus on the game, not the equipment.
It’s worth noting that sometimes software developers go overboard in their effort to optimize every possible feature by adding layers of unnecessary complexity. This kind of overoptimization can backfire, especially when the system hasn’t been tested thoroughly enough in the real world. A scoreboard system should be intuitive, reliable, and perhaps most importantly, well-tested.
3. Installation of a baseball scoreboard can be costly
When you buy a new baseball scoreboard, especially if it’s a large model or a video scoreboard, you’re going to be looking at a significant investment. This includes the cost of installing the scoreboard, which depends on a few key factors.
The first factor is general location, which plays a big role, primarily because different sites require different levels of installation to accommodate the scoreboard.
The second is the scoreboard’s type, size, and complexity. This is because larger, more advanced scoreboards like LED video displays require more effort to install.
The third is whether the scoreboard is indoors or outdoors. Outdoor scoreboards sometimes require specialized mounting solutions, including reinforced poles and additional structural supports.
Some suppliers offer installation services as part of their package, so it’s worth asking them about this when including installation costs in your budget. To find out how much your new LED video scoreboard will cost to install, contact Elite Displays to request a quote.
4. Weather resistance is crucial for scoreboard longevity
In addition to other considerations, outdoor baseball scoreboards must be able to withstand tough weather conditions. Generally, any outdoor LED product should be able to withstand exposure to dust, rain, heat, cold, and high winds.
For example, Elite Display’s Standard Fixed Outdoor LED displays have an ingress protection rating of IP65. You can learn more about what we offer on the Elite Displays Products page.
For basic electronic scoreboards, manufacturers often focus on durable aluminum casings, weatherproof digits, and sealed components to prevent moisture ingress.
For LED video scoreboards, manufacturers take it a step further. Since LED video scoreboards are more complex and costly, they typically require additional protection. This often includes high-grade weatherproof enclosures and specialized coatings on LED modules to resist UV damage and moisture. These added measures help ensure that LED video scoreboards can endure outdoor conditions while maintaining high performance.
5. Warranty terms can significantly impact long-term value
An often overlooked aspect of buying a baseball scoreboard for sale is the warranty. Yet the warranty is absolutely essential to ensuring long-term peace of mind and protection of your investment.
Before buying a scoreboard, we encourage you to request the warranty information. A robust warranty can save you thousands in potential repair or replacement costs over the scoreboard’s lifetime.
Let’s take a look at a couple of other common considerations buyers have when searching for a new baseball scoreboard.
How long does a baseball scoreboard last?
Generally, a well-maintained basic electronic LED scoreboard will last anywhere from 10 to 15 years. Meanwhile, a high-quality LED video scoreboard will last 15 to 20 years with proper care.
Note that there are always exceptions. For instance, scoreboards installed in regions with extreme weather conditions face shorter lifespans. Moreover, factors like weather exposure, frequency of use, and the quality of maintenance all impact how long a baseball scoreboard lasts.
How much does a baseball scoreboard cost?
For a basic electronic scoreboard, prices range from around $3,500 for a smaller 8′ x 4′ x 8″ model to around $20,000 for a larger 36′ x 10′ x 8″ scoreboard.
For an LED video scoreboard, the cost depends on the type. Indoor video scoreboards generally start in the tens of thousands and increase based on size and features. Outdoor video scoreboards often range above a hundred thousand. The final price will depend on your specific requirements and customization options. There is a lot of flexibility.
For larger venues at collegiate and professional levels, costs for indoor and outdoor video scoreboards can be hundreds of thousands of dollars and higher.
Contact Elite Displays for a new LED video display
Choosing the right baseball scoreboard isn’t just about showing scores; it’s about enhancing the fan experience and maximizing your investment. Whether you need a simple electronic LED scoreboard or a feature-packed LED video display, your decision will shape the game-day experience and the scoreboard’s long-term durability.
Elite Displays offers LED sports displays with custom solutions tailored to your needs. While we don’t offer basic electronic scoreboards, we do offer high-quality LED video solutions with dynamic display capabilities.
Ready to upgrade your baseball field with a cutting-edge LED video scoreboard? Contact Elite Displays today for a tailored solution. Our expert team will help you choose the best options and ensure a smooth installation. Let us make your next upgrade one that lasts!
