ESPN touts big numbers for 2020 MLB debut
Thursday night’s 2020 MLB debut Nationals/Yankees game generated the largest audience ever for an Opening Day broadcast on ESPN, making it the most-watched regular-season game on any network since 2011. (more…)
Best of the Ballparks 2020 MLB vote moves to Sweet Sixteen
After several upsets in a heavily contested first round, we’re now in the Sweet Sixteen round of the Best of the Ballparks 2020 fan vote for MLB facilities. So vote! (more…)
Blue Jays turn their lonely eyes back to Buffalo
After criticizing Sahlen Field as a potential home for the 2020 Toronto Blue Jays season, the team has now concluded it can’t wait to conclude negotiations to play at Oriole Park and will instead commit to home games in Buffalo, per NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo. (more…)
Cleveland to meet with Native American leaders on team name
The Cleveland Indians ownership will meet with Native American leaders and other community groups to gauge their feelings on the team’s name and branding, as the MLB franchise continues to navigate a #BLM world. (more…)
New for 2021: Reading Hot Dogs
Never too early for 2021 MiLB news, so here’s your next-season update for the day: the Reading Fightin Phils (Class AA; Eastern League) will play Sunday home games as the Reading Hot Dogs, in a promo sponsored by Berks. (more…)
2020 MLB playoffs expanded to 16 teams
If you have the feeling this season is largely improvised, here’s another example: the 2020 MLB playoffs will be expanded to 16 teams, making it highly likely a sub-.500 team will be invited to the big dance. (more…)
Fox is virtually ruining baseball, one augmented reality at a time
We’ve been eagerly awaiting announcements about how broadcast partners will treat MLB broadcasts from empty ballparks, and now we know how Fox will handle it: imaginary fans created with augmented reality technology. (more…)
Despite 2020 opening, MLB future far from clear
There will be plenty of hoopla and raised spirits when the MLB season opens tonight, but even if we see a successful season culminating in an exciting World Series, the financial issues facing the sport and its partners for 2021 and beyond will still need addressing. (more…)
Blue Jays still looking for 2020 home after PA snub
With Pennsylvania officials rejecting the notion of the Toronto Blue Jays playing the 2020 season at Pittsburgh’s PNC Park, the team and MLB officials are again on a search for a home base for the beleaguered franchise. (more…)
How MLB will handle a fan-free broadcast
With the 2020 MLB season launching tonight with marquee matchups in Washington and Los Angeles, we’ll see how MLB and its broadcast teams handle a unique challenge: drumming up enthusiasm for a fan-less experience. (more…)
Turtle Creek Stadium wins Best of the Ballparks honors
Turtle Creek Stadium, home of the Traverse City Pit Spitters and host in 2020 of a two-team Northwoods League pod, is your winner in the Best of the Ballparks 2020 summer-collegiate fan vote. (more…)
Pirates invite Blue Jays to play “home” season at PNC Park
It’s increasingly looking like the Toronto Blue Jays will end up playing 2020 home games at PNC Park, as the Pittsburgh Pirates acknowledge talks have opened between the two MLB teams. (more…)
Ballpark Digest Broadcaster Chat for July 20, 2020
Jesse Goldberg-Strassler, Mick Gillispie and Kevin Reichard discuss the Best of the Ballparks vote, where the Blue Jays will end up, and how broadcasters deal with mistakes on the field and in the booth in this week’s Ballpark Digest Broadcaster Chat. (more…)