Baseball telecasts technology

The following is a chronological list of the technological advancements of Major League Baseball television broadcasts:

1930s and 1940s [ [http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/baseballs_best/mlb_bb_library40.jsp Baseball's Best: 1930s-1940s] ]

1939

On August 26, the first ever Major League Baseball game was televised W2XBS, an experimental station in New York City which would ultimately become WNBC-TV.

Red Barber called the game without the benefit of a monitor and with only two cameras capturing the game. One camera was on Barber and the other was behind the plate. Barber had to guess from which light was on and where it pointed.

In 1939, baseball games were usually covered by one camera providing a point-of-view along the third base line.

1949

#Equipment: Three black-and-white cameras, all located on the Mezzanine level.
#Camera lenses: Fixed, no zoom capabilities.
#Replays: None
#Graphics: None
#Audio: One microphone on the play-by-play announcer.

1950s [ [http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/baseballs_best/mlb_bb_library50.jsp Baseball's Best: 1950s] ]

1951

On August 11, 1951, WCBS-TV in New York City televised the first baseball game (in which the Boston Braves beat the Brooklyn Dodgers by the score of 8-1) in color.

On October 3 of that year, NBC aired the first coast-to-coast baseball telecast as the Brooklyn Dodgers were beaten by the New York Giants in the final game of a playoff series by the score of 3-1 (off Bobby Thomson's now-legendary home run).

1953

#Equipment: Four black-and-white cameras, all located on the Mezzanine level.
#Camera lenses: Fixed, no zoom capabilities.
#Video: Quality of picture has improved since the 1940s.
#Replay: None
#Graphics: White-text containing one line of information.
#Audio: One microphone on the play-by-play announcer and one mic is suspended from the press box for crowd noise.

1957

#Equipment: Four cameras on Mezzanine level while a fifth camera is added in center field.
#Camera lenses: Three fixed lenses on each camera that's manually rotated by a camera operator.
#Video: Quality of picture is a very sharp black-and-white.
#Replays: None
#Graphics: White-text only; information about the balls and strikes are added.
#Broadcasters: Analysts added to broadcast alongside the play-by-play announcer.
#Audio: One mic is suspended from the press box for crowd noise.

1960s [ [http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/baseballs_best/mlb_bb_library60.jsp Baseball's Best: 1960s] ]

1961

#Equipment: Five cameras: Four on the Mezzanine level and one in center field.
#Camera lenses: Zoom capability existed albeit, limited.
#Video: Black-and-white picture quality has improved.
#Replays: Yes; regular speed; no longer than thirty seconds long at a line angle only.
#Graphics: White-text only including two lines of text.
#Audio: Improved - Audience can now hear the crack of the bat.

1962

On July 23, 1962, Major League Baseball had its first satellite telecast (via Telstar Communications). The telecast included portion of a contest between the Chicago Cubs vs. the Philadelphia Phillies from Wrigley Field with Jack Brickhouse commentating on WGN-TV.

1969

By 1969, the usage of chroma key (in which the commentators would opening up a telecast by standing in front of a greenscreen composite of the stadiums' crowds) became a common practice for baseball telecast.

#Equipment: Five cameras: Four on the Mezzanine level and one in center field.
#Camera lenses: Zoom capability existed albeit, limited.
#Video: Color became an industry standard.
#Replays: Yes; regular speed; no longer than thirty seconds long at a line angle.
#Graphics: Electronic graphics introduced.
#Audio: Improved - Audience can now hear the crack of the bat.

1970s [ [http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/baseballs_best/mlb_bb_library70.jsp Baseball's Best: 1970s] ]

1974

#Equipment: Seven cameras: One at first and third base each, one at home plate, one at center field, one at left field, and each in the dugout.
#Camera lenses: 18×1; the batter can now be seen from head to toe.
#Video: Color quality has improved since the 1960s.
#Replays: Slow-motion from all camera angles.
#Graphics: Video font with two color capabilities.
#Audio: Mono. - much improved quality; an effect microphone is placed near the field.

1975

In the bottom of the 12th inning of Game 6 of the 1975 World Series at Boston's Fenway Park, Red Sox catcher Carlton Fisk was facing Cincinnati Reds pitcher Pat Darcy. Fisk then hit a pitch down the left field line that appeared to be heading to foul territory. The enduring image of Fisk jumping and waving the ball fair as he made his way to first base is arguably one of baseball's greatest moments. And it worked -- the ball struck the foul pole, giving the Red Sox a 7-6 win and forcing a seventh and deciding game of the fall classic. During this time, cameramen covering baseball games were instructed to follow the flight of the ball; reportedly, Fisk's reaction [ [http://66.218.69.11/search/cache?ei=UTF-8&p=Mutual+Broadcasting+System+Major+League+Baseball&fr=yfp-t-501&u=www.baseball-fever.com/archive/index.php/t-17096.html&w=mutual+broadcasting+system+systems+major+majors+league+baseball&d=F82G8OdmPcCb&icp=1&.intl=us In 1975 baseball announced a new kind of TV deal. Coverage of the World Series, playoffs, and All-Star Games would alternate between NBC and ABC. The networks saw the advantages: postseason baseball play was the perfect time to begin promoting the new fall TV season. Dual network coverage also brought an element of competition without economic overtones-quality of coverage. Then came October 21, 1975. The Boston Red Sox, unable to win a World Series since 1918, were on their way to a loss in six games to Cincinnati's "Big Red Machine". But a three-run pinch-hit homer by Bernie Carbo tied the game in the eighth, and in the twelfth (by then it was 12:34 a.m.) Carlton Fisk hit a solo shot over the "Green Monster" to win the game. Sixty-two million people saw it, and television couldn't have planned it better, because as Fisk hit his homer, the camera in the left field scoreboard followed him, not the ball, and on replay the audience saw Fisk furiously trying to wave the ball fair. It was the first-ever home run reaction shot. The next night, 75,890,000 people watched the seventh game, and baseball was definitely back. In 1976 baseball received revenue from radio and television approaching $51 million. Lou Harris said in 1977, "For the first time since 1968, more sports fans in the country follow baseball than football." Ten years later baseball received $350 million.] ] was only being recorded because NBC cameraman Lou Gerard had become frightened by a rat. [Bruce Lowitt, "Rats! Fisk's homer" St. Petersburg Times, November 23, 1999] This play was perhaps the most important catalyst in getting camera operators to focus most of their attention on the players themselves. [Seth Mnookin, "Feeding the Monster: How Money, Smarts and Nerve took a Team to the Top" pg. 40]

1980s [ [http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/baseballs_best/mlb_bb_library80.jsp Baseball's Best: 1980s] ]

1983

On July 6, 1983, NBC televised the All-Star Game out of Chicago's Comiskey Park. During the telecast, special guest analyst, Don Sutton helped introduce NBC's new pitching tracking device dubbed "The NBC Tracer" [ [http://www.80stvthemes.com/ra/121999/transvideo/NBCTRACER.ra Take a look at the latest in technology, as the NBC Tracer tracks a curveball (from the 1983 Major League Baseball All-Star Game).] ] . "The NBC Tracer" was a stroboscopic comet tail showing the path of a pitch to the catcher's glove. For instance, "The NBC Tracer" helped track a Dave Stieb curveball among others.

1985

In 1985, NBC's telecast of the All-Star Game out of the Metrodome in Minnesota was the first program to be broadcast in stereo by a television network.

#Equipment: Eight cameras: One at first and third base each, one at home plate (a low home angle is added), one each in right field, center field and left field, and one in each dugout.
#Camera lenses: 40×1; tight shots of players are routine.
#Replays: Super slow-motion replays became a new technology.
#Graphics: Computer generated in multiple colors.
#Audio: Mono. - much improved quality.

1987

For the 1987 World Series between the Minnesota Twins and St. Louis Cardinals, ABC utilized 12 cameras and nine tape machines. This includes cameras positioned down the left field line, on the roof of the Metrodome, and high above third base.

1989

The Loma Prieta earthquake that hit on October 17, 1989 was one of the few times that the onset of an earthquake of such magnitude had occurred during a live network television broadcast. The 1989 World Series was being broadcast by the American Broadcasting Company. At the moment the quake struck, sportscaster Tim McCarver was narrating taped highlights of the previous Series game. Viewers saw the video signal begin to break up, and heard McCarver's colleague, Al Michaels exclaim, "I'll tell you what -- we're having an earth--." At that moment the feed from Candlestick Park was lost.

Audio was restored minutes later (a green ABC Sports graphic replaced the picture though) where Michaels, over a telephone line started off by trying to make light of the chaotic situation by quipping that it was "The greatest open in the history of television -- bar none!" ABC would then go on a 15 minute break from their World Series coverage by sending viewers to a rerun of "Who's the Boss?". After ABC restored the telecast with a backup generator, Michaels (reporting from ABC Sports' production truck), by virtue of his presence on the scene and the already existing video link, was ABC's main contact from San Francisco, feeding reports and commentary to anchorman Ted Koppel (in Washington, D.C.). The Goodyear Blimp (which was already aloft for the game) provided video of structural damage and fires within the city. Michaels was later nominated for an Emmy Award for these news broadcasts.

1990s [ [http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/baseballs_best/mlb_bb_library90.jsp Baseball's Best: 1990s] ]

1990

In 1990, CBS took over from both ABC and NBC as Major League Baseball's national, over-the-air television provider. They in the process brought along their telestration technology that they dubbed "CBS Chalkboard". "CBS Chalkboard" made its debut eight years earlier during CBS' coverage of Super Bowl XVI.

1993

During CBS' coverage of the 1993 World Series, umpires were upset with the overhead replays being televised by CBS. Dave Phillips, the crew chief, said just prior to Game 2 that the umpires want "CBS to be fair with their approach."

Rick Gentile, the senior vice president for production of CBS Sports, said that Richie Phillips, the lawyer for the Major League Umpires Association, tried to call the broadcast booth during Saturday's game, but the call was not put through. Richie Phillips apparently was upset when Dave Phillips called the Philadelphia Phillies' Ricky Jordan out on strikes in the fourth inning, and a replay showed the pitch to be about 6 inches outside.

National League President Bill White, while using a CBS headset in the broadcast booth during Game 1, was overheard telling Gentile and the producer Bob Dekas: cquote|You guys keep using that camera the way you want. Don't let Phillips intimidate you.

1995

*April 1995 - ESPN debuted in-game box scores during Major League Baseball telecasts. Hitting, pitching and fielding stats from the game are shown along the bottom of the screen three times per game.

1996

#Equipment: Ten cameras: Eight manned cameras plus two robotic cameras. Six tape machines plus one digital disk recorder.
#Camera lenses: 55×1
#Graphics: Computer generated and in high resolution; the FoxBox is introduced.
#Audio: In Stereo and surround sound; wireless mics are placed in the bases.

1997

*May/June 1997 - ESPN debuted "MaskCam" on an umpire at the College World Series.

see also|Major League Baseball on FOX [ [http://www.nypost.com/seven/10212007/sports/the_right_call.htm FOX SHOWS UMPS AT BEST] ] On July 8, 1997, FOX televised its first ever All-Star Game (out of Jacobs Field in Cleveland). For this particular game, FOX introduced "Catcher-Cam" in which a camera was affixed to the catchers' masks in order to provide unique perspectives of the action around home plate. Catcher-Cam soon would become a regular fixture in FOX's baseball broadcasts.

In addition to Catcher-Cam, other innovations (some of which have received more acclaim than others) that FOX [ [http://www.scratchbomb.com/archives/new/2007/022107.html But thinking about the current state of video-computer trickery, I'm reminded of a Patton Oswalt routine: just because science can do something doesn't mean it should. ("We've made cancer airborne and contagious--you're welcome!") Fox Sports' baseball coverage is almost unwatchable, with all the stupid exploding graphics, robotic pitchers and talking baseballs. Not to mention the endless shots of fans in the stands, which some idiot in Fox's production department thinks the viewer at home loves to look at. If I wanna see some maniac in face paint, I'll go to the Ren Fair.] ] has provided for baseball telecasts have been:
*Sennheiser MKE-2 microphones and SK-250 transmitters in the bases.

*Between 12 and 16 microphones throughout the outfield, ranging from Sennheiser MKH-416 shotgun microphones to DPA 4061s with Crystal Partners Big Ear parabolic microphones to Crown Audio PCC160 plate microphones.

*The continuous "FoxBox" graphic, which contained the score, inning and other information in an upper corner of the TV screen. Since 2001, the "FoxBox" has morphed into a strip across the top of the screen which would later be used by other sports networks.

*Audio accompanying graphics and sandwiched replays between "whooshes."

*"Mega Slo-Mo" technology.

*"Scooter", a cartoony 3-D animated talking baseball (voiced by Tom Kenny) that occasionally appears to explain pitch types and mechanics, purportedly for younger viewers -- approximately the 10- to 12-year-olds. [ [http://www.thedartmouth.com/article.php?aid=2004042305050 thedartmouth.com] ]

*"Ball Tracer", a stroboscopic comet tail showing the path of a pitch to the catcher's glove.

*"Strike Zone", which shows pitch sequences with strikes in yellow and balls in white. It can put a simulated pane of glass that shatters when a ball goes through the zone (a la the computerized scoring graphics used for bowling).

*The "high home" camera from high behind home plate. Its purpose is that it can trace the arc of a home run and measure the distance the ball traveled. The "high home" camera can also measure a runner's lead off first base while showing in different colors (green, yellow, red) and how far off the base and into pickoff danger a runner is venturing.

2000s [ [http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/baseballs_best/mlb_bb_library00.jsp Baseball's Best: 2000s] ]

2001

*April 15, 2001 - "ESPN Dead Center" debuted on "Sunday Night Baseball" with the Texas Rangers versus the Oakland Athletics. This new camera angle, directly behind the pitcher, is used provide true depiction of inside/outside pitch location and is used in certain parks in conjunction with "K Zone".

*July 1, 2001 - ESPN's "K Zone" officially debuted on "Sunday Night Baseball".
*The FoxBox becomes a banner at the top of the screen.

2002

*April 7, 2002 - ESPN became the first network to place a microphone on a player during a regular-season baseball game. "Player Mic" was worn by Oakland catcher Ramon Hernandez (who also wore "MaskCam") and taped segments were heard.

*May 26, 2002 - "UmpireCam" debuted on ESPN, worn by Matt Hollowell behind the plate in the New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox telecast.

In October 2002, FOX televised the first ever World Series to be shown in high definition.

2003

*March 30, 2003 - ESPNHD, a high-definition simulcast service of ESPN, debuted with the first regular-season Major League Baseball game of the season - Texas at Anaheim.

2004

*April 2004 - ESPN's "Sunday Night Baseball" telecasts added a fantasy baseball bottom line, updating viewers on the stats for their rotisserie league players at 15 and 45 minutes after the hour.

Starting in 2004, some TBS telecasts (mostly Fridays or Saturdays) became more enhanced. The network decided to call it "Braves TBS Xtra". Enhancements included catcher cam, "Xtra Motion", which featured the type of pitch and movement, also "leadOff Line". It would also show features with inside access to players.

In October 2004, FOX started airing all Major League Baseball postseason broadcasts (including the League Championship Series and World Series) in high definition. FOX also started airing the Major League Baseball All-Star Game in HD the following year. At the same time, the FoxBox and graphics are upgraded.

2005

*April 13, 2005 - "SkyCam" premiered during "Sunday Night Baseball" on ESPN. "SkyCam" is mounted more than 20 feet above the stands in foul territory and travels down a designated base path (first or third base line, from behind home plate to the foul pole), capturing overhead views of the action. The remote-controlled camera can zoom, pan and tilt.

2006

*April 2, 2006 - A handheld camera brings viewers closer to the action for in-game live shots of home run celebrations, managers approaching the mound and more.

*May 1, 2006 - 'K Zone 2.0' debuted on ESPN's "Monday Night Baseball".

2007

For their 2007 Division Series coverage [ [http://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/hiestand-tv/2007-10-01-hiestand-weekend_N.htm TBS juggles broadcast teams after Mets disappear] ] , TBS [ [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/richard_deitsch/10/10/tbs.baseball/1.html Where TBS deserves plenty of credit is allowing the games to be the star. Unlike Fox, TBS did not bludgeon the audience with an overabundance of crowd shots or fan interviews. Much of the camera work was exceptional. The close-ups of insects feasting on the neck of Yankees reliever Joba Chamberlain were so creepy that they could have been filmed by Wes Craven. For the most part, TBS did a nice job of letting the pictures work for them. Some of the graphics proved problematic, though. As SI's Tom Verducci pointed out, the Leadoff Line, the nine-foot arrow that measured the lead a runner gets off first base, overtly gimmicky and intrusive. Some SI.com readers complained that the graphic at the top of the screen showing how many runners were on base was too small. (To its credit, Behnke said that TBS adjusted it prior to the final game of the Indians-Yankees series by deepening the border and edgings.) Look for the same graphics to return for the LCS -- the Leadoff Line is sponsored by Travelers, not that most fans would know -- including the addition of microphones placed in the bases. "It's always a work in progress and we are our own worst critics," said Behnke, who averaged four hours of sleep during the Division Series. "We have this package for many years but I would say this: We are overwhelmingly deeply proud of what we have done through the divisional series and I can assure you that it will only be better when we done through the divisional series and I can assure you that it will only be better when we crank it up on Thursday."] ] debuted various new looks, such as the first live online views from cameras in dugouts and ones focused on pitchers. TBS also introduced a graphic that creates sort of a rainbow to trace the arc of pitches on game replays. The graphic was superimposed in the studio so analysts like Cal Ripken, Jr. for instance, could take virtual cuts at pitches thrown in games [ [http://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/hiestand-tv/2007-10-01-hiestand-weekend_N.htm "He'll be standing at a home plate with a bat," Behnke says. "Balls will come in just like at the games. It will be very real." In a vaguely hallucinatory way.] ] .

ee also

*Digital on-screen graphic
*FoxBox (sports)
*Instant replay
*Major League Baseball television contracts

References