Watching the WS last night, my friend mentioned that the flashing, electronic signs might be a distraction to the batter. For you folks that have the opportunity to see baseball in the park, are these electronics visible, or is it just a display for TV?
The ones you see at baseball games in the background on the camera shot of the batter from centerfield, that is a green panel that has the ad laid in by the producers in the truck. Notice that when they show a reply from a different camera that includes that part of the scene, all you see is the green panel. These signs do not flash, they are a static graphic.
The various flashing signs around other parts of the ballpark are supposed to be turned off while the ball is being pitched or is in play, as are any audio effects from the public address system. I don’t know how well that is now being adhered to, I haven’t noticed. It’s the umpire’s responsibility to enforce that.
I’ve noticed in basketball games that the animated signs at floor level at courtside are sometimes in play while the game is going on, and can appear to be a player running along the floor.