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New technology, food at Minute Maid Park for 2016 Astros season

Fans will experience new food, new lights, and faster internet speeds in 2016.

By Ryan Dunsmore
Bob Levey/Getty Images

From the moment that Reid Ryan took over the Astros, he has moved the fan experience and Minute Maid Park itself in a positive direction. Ryan and the Astros business operation continue that process with the 2016 season, adding new technology, food and broadcasting.

Tal's Hill had a stay of execution until after the 2016 season,  but doesn't mean there won't be improvements to the ballpark. The news features include:

  • LED field lights -- The Astros have installed 400 SportsCluster Green LED Lights -- which the team will claim will reduce the energy use by Minute Maid Park by 62 percent -- as reported by the Houston Chronicle.
  • The team also annouced improved WiFi and mobile capacity after installing 600 high-density access points -- Ryan talked about this process at FanFest as well here.
Last year the team delved more into food attractions. This year, the Astros will have even more choices including Goat cheese gnocchi, Irish Nachos, Chipotle Pescado, Hawaiian Pulled Pork, something called a "The Flying Pig", and a massive Hand-dipped Full Size Corn Dog.
The Astros will have a new home for their spanish language broadcast. The Astros released a statement about the move:

The Houston Astros and the Latino Broadcasting Corporation today announced a new multi-year agreement to carry Astros games on La Nueva 94.1 FM. The announcement was officially made this afternoon at the Astros annual Media Luncheon at Minute Maid Park.

La Nueva 94.1 FM will carry all 162 regular season games, marking the first time that Astros games will be broadcast in Spanish on an FM station. Returning to call the action on the air will be the broadcast team of Francisco Romero (play-by-play) and Alex Trevino (color). The 2016 season will be the ninth calling Astros games for Romero and the 21st for Trevino, the former Astros catcher who spent 13 seasons in the Major Leagues overall. Popular Astros icon Jose Cruz will also make frequent appearances in the broadcast booth as in past seasons.

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