Opening Day: Dodger Stadium Upgrades Still a Work in Progress

The Los Angeles Dodgers open their 2013 season Monday against the World Series champion San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium.

The game begins at 1:10 p.m., with gates opening at 10 a.m.

Today marks the first time that since 2011 that the Dodgers will have opened the season against the Giants.

Bryan Stow, a Santa Cruz paramedic who was wearing Giants apparel, was left brain damaged in a beating in a Dodger Stadium parking lot following the 2011 opener.

Dodger President Stan Kasten said Friday that "every fan will feel safe at Dodger Stadium," including those wearing apparel of the visiting team.

Fans will have the chance to check out the $100 million worth of improvements done this past off season.

New scoreboards, a new sound system, improved bathrooms and wider walkways are all part of the mix, as are new children’s play areas and larger-than-life statutes and sculptures of Dodger stars and memorabilia.

Dodger management had also promised working Wi-Fi and phone service. That now won't be operational until June, according to the Dodgers.

Team President Stan Kasten said again this week that the improvements are designed to make attending a game "a lot more comfortable, a lot more entertaining and a lot more fun.''

Kasten and Smith are also now stressing that another objective was to make the park feel safe, with lighting added to the parking lots and extra security.

Related:

Dodger stadium revamp is a work in progress (LA Times)