View source for Baseball telecasts technology

The following is a chronological list of the technological advancements<ref>{{cite book |title=Center field shot: a history of baseball on television |author1=James R. Walker |author2=Robert V. Bellamy |year=2008 |publisher=University of Nebraska Press |isbn= 978-0803248250|pages=279–296 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6kPQhpS-X8YC&q=Center+Field+Shot:+A+History+of+Baseball+on+Television }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://ethw.org/Technological_Innovations_in_Sports_Broadcasting|title=Technological Innovations in Sports Broadcasting|website=Engineering and Technology History Wiki|date=28 September 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hardballtimes.com/whats-wrong-with-tv-baseball-learning-from-red-barber-and-mlb-classics/|title=What's Wrong With TV Baseball? Learning From Red Barber and MLB Classics|last1=Moore|first1=Jack |website=The Hardball Times|date=13 October 2015 }}</ref> of [[Major League Baseball]] television broadcasts:
{{TOC right}}

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

===1939===
{{see also|Baseball broadcasting firsts|1939 in baseball|1939 in television}}

On August 26,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.insidesocal.com/tomhoffarth/archives/2009/08/70-years-ago-to.html |title=70 years ago today, the Dodgers made TV history |access-date=2009-08-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308125723/http://www.insidesocal.com/tomhoffarth/archives/2009/08/70-years-ago-to.html |archive-date=2012-03-08 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>[http://www.newsday.com/blogs/sports/watchdog-1.812020/major-league-baseball-made-tv-debut-70-years-ago-today-1.1395575 Major League Baseball made TV debut 70 years ago today]</ref> the first ever Major League Baseball telecast (the [[1939 Brooklyn Dodgers season|Brooklyn Dodgers]] vs. [[1939 Cincinnati Reds season|Cincinnati Reds]] from [[Ebbets Field]]) aired by [[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 in baseball|1939]], baseball games were usually covered by one camera providing a point-of-view along the third base line.

===1949===
{{main|1949 in baseball|1949 in television}}

#Equipment: Three [[black-and-white]] cameras,<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/playoffs/2008-10-26-1948-world-series_N.htm Walker said Red Barber was among the announcers to handle the play-by-play duties of the games in Boston and critics complained the cameras often didn't show the part of the action he was describing. A regular-season game typically used two or three cameras, Walker said, but that would increase to four for special events such as the Series. (Fox is using 26 cameras this year.)]</ref> all located on the [[Mezzanine (architecture)|Mezzanine level]].
#Camera lenses: Fixed, no zoom capabilities.
#Replays: None
#Graphics: None
#Audio: One microphone on the play-by-play announcer.

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

===1951===
{{main|1951 in baseball|1951 in television}}

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

On October 3 of that year, NBC aired the first [[East Coast of the United States|coast]]-to-[[West Coast of the United States|coast]] baseball telecast as the [[1951 Brooklyn Dodgers season|Brooklyn Dodgers]] were beaten by the [[1951 New York Giants (MLB) season|New York Giants]] in the final game of a [[playoff]] series by the score of 5-4 (off [[Bobby Thomson]]'s [[Shot Heard 'Round the World (baseball)|now-legendary home run]]).

===1953===
{{main|1953 in baseball|1953 in television}}

#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.

===1955===
{{main|1955 in baseball|1955 in television}}

1955<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcsports.com/our-history#decade_3|title=Harry Coyle revolutionizes MLB broadcasts|website=NBC Sports History Page|access-date=2017-08-06|archive-date=2017-08-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806140431/http://www.nbcsports.com/our-history#decade_3|url-status=dead}}</ref> marked the first time that the [[1955 World Series|World Series]] was televised in [[Color television|color]].

===1957===
{{main|1957 in baseball|1957 in television}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.insidesocal.com/tomhoffarth/archives/2009/01/when-scully-tal.html |title=As Bob Costas mentions on the MLB Network show, the great part about watching this game now is there's no center field camera, no replays, no different angles, very few graphics (except to put the players names in all caps with white letters), the announcers work alone, there's maybe something missing without any close-ups of the players and no bullpen shots. For a black-and-white telecast, it's pretty stark. |access-date=2009-01-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120122093153/http://www.insidesocal.com/tomhoffarth/archives/2009/01/when-scully-tal.html |archive-date=2012-01-22 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

#Equipment: Four cameras<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nbcsports.com/sites/nbcsports.com/files/1957_world_series_1.jpg |title=NBC gains television and radio rights to World Series |website=NBC Sports History Page}}</ref> 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==
<ref>[http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/baseballs_best/mlb_bb_library60.jsp Baseball's Best: 1960s]</ref>

===1961===
{{main|1961 in baseball|1961 in television}}

#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===
{{main|1962 in baseball|1962 in television}}

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

===1969===
{{main|1969 in baseball|1969 in television}}

By [[1969 in television|1969]], the usage of [[chroma key]] (in which the commentators would open a telecast by standing in front of a [[greenscreen]] composite of the stadiums' crowds) became a common practice for baseball telecasts.

#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==
<ref>[http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/baseballs_best/mlb_bb_library70.jsp Baseball's Best: 1970s]</ref>

===1974===
{{main|1974 in baseball|1974 in television}}

#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|Slow-motion]] from all camera angles.
#Graphics: Video font with two color capabilities.
#Audio: [[Monaural|Mono.]] - much improved quality; an [[Sound effect|effect]] microphone is placed near the field.

===1975===
{{main|1975 in baseball|1975 in television}}

In the bottom of the 12th inning of Game 6 of the [[1975 World Series]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2015/10/21/game-changer-carlton-fisk-nbc-1975-world-series?xid=si_social|title=Game Changer: How Carlton Fisk's home run altered baseball and TV|last1=Verducci|first1=Tom|date=October 21, 2015|website=Sports Illustrated}}</ref> at [[Boston]]'s [[Fenway Park]], [[1975 Boston Red Sox season|Red Sox]] catcher [[Carlton Fisk]] was facing [[1975 Cincinnati Reds season|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. 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<ref>[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.]{{dead link|date=October 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> was only being recorded because [[Major League Baseball on NBC|NBC]] cameraman Lou Gerard, positioned inside Fenway's scoreboard at the base of the left-field [[Green Monster]] wall, had become distracted by a large rat.<ref>[[Bruce Lowitt]], "Rats! Fisk's homer" St. Petersburg Times, November 23, 1999</ref> This play was perhaps the most important catalyst in getting camera operators to focus most of their attention on the players themselves.<ref>[[Seth Mnookin]], "Feeding the Monster: How Money, Smarts and Nerve took a Team to the Top" pg. 40</ref>

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

===1983===
{{main|1983 in baseball|1983 in television}}

On July 6, 1983, [[Major League Baseball on NBC|NBC]] televised the [[1983 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star Game]] out of [[Chicago, Illinois|Chicago]]'s [[Comiskey Park]]. During the telecast, special guest analyst, [[Don Sutton]] helped introduce NBC's new pitching [[Video tracking|tracking]] device dubbed '''''The NBC Tracer'''''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.80stvthemes.com/ra/121999/transvideo/NBCTRACER.ra |title=Take a look at the latest in technology, as the NBC Tracer tracks a curveball (from the 1983 Major League Baseball All-Star Game). |access-date=2006-09-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060507002027/http://www.80stvthemes.com/ra/121999/transvideo/NBCTRACER.ra |archive-date=2006-05-07 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''The NBC Tracer'' was a [[stroboscopic effect|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===
{{main|1985 in baseball|1985 in television}}

In [[1985 in baseball|1985]], [[Major League Baseball on NBC|NBC]]'s telecast of the [[1985 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star Game]] out of the [[Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome|Metrodome]] in [[Minneapolis, Minnesota|Minnesota]] was the first program to be broadcast in [[Stereophonic sound|stereo]] by a television network.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sporttechie.com/2014/05/29/the-top-5-broadcasting-tech-milestones-during-vin-scullys-career/|title=The Top 5 Broadcasting Tech Milestones During Vin Scully's Career|last1=Romo|first1=Christian|date=29 May 2014|website=SportTechie}}</ref>

#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: [[Monaural|Mono]] - much improved quality.

===1987===
{{main|1987 in baseball|1987 in television}}

For the [[1987 World Series]] between the [[1987 Minnesota Twins season|Minnesota Twins]] and [[1987 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis Cardinals]], [[Major League Baseball on ABC|ABC]] utilized 12 cameras and nine tape machines. This includes cameras positioned down the left field line, on the roof of the [[Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome|Metrodome]], and high above third base.

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

===1990===
{{main|1990 in baseball|1990 in television}}

In [[1990 in baseball|1990]], [[Major League Baseball on CBS|CBS]] took over from both [[Major League Baseball on ABC|ABC]] and [[Major League Baseball on NBC|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 [[NFL on CBS|CBS' coverage]] of [[Super Bowl XVI]].

===1992===
{{main|1992 in baseball|1992 in television}}

For [[Major League Baseball on CBS|CBS]]' coverage of the [[1992 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1992 All-Star Game]], they introduced Basecam,<ref>[https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/USAToday/access/56210872.html?dids=56210872:56210872&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jul+07%2C+1992&author=Rudy+Martzke&pub=USA+TODAY+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=NBC+reconsiders+schedule+with+Dream+Team+ratings&pqatl=google Jul 7, 1992 - For two years, CBS' baseball telecasts have been criticized for missing steals of second base. No longer. Meet Basecam. MLB officials have approved producer Ric LaCivita's request to install Basecam, a lipstick-size camera, inside first base in the July 14 All-Star Game in San Diego. ...]</ref><ref>[http://docs.newsbank.com/g/GooglePM/DM/lib00377,0ED3D24DBAFA9FD9.html Jul 8, 1992 - At baseball's All Star Game on Tuesday night CBS will introduce the basecam a lipstick size camera planted in first base The camera will give ... live CBS asked for live microphones but major league baseball turned the network down insisting on editorial control of the managers comments ...]</ref><ref>[https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/heraldonline/access/71410486.html?dids=71410486:71410486&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jul+12%2C+1992&author=&pub=Herald+Online&desc=CBS+bringing+out+new+camera+angle+for+All-Star+Game&pqatl=google Jul 12, 1992 - CBS television's coverage of Tuesday night's All-Star baseball game will offer a new viewing perspective -- a camera implanted in first base. ... runners taking their leads and breaking for second base,` said Ric LaCivita, lead producer for CBS Sports coverage of Major League baseball. ...]</ref> a lipstick-size camera, inside first base.

===1993===
{{see also|1993 in baseball|1993 in television}}

During [[Major League Baseball on CBS|CBS]]' coverage of the [[1993 World Series]], umpires were upset with the overhead replays being televised by CBS. [[Dave Phillips (umpire)|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 [[1993 Philadelphia Phillies season|Philadelphia Phillies]]' [[Ricky Jordan]] out on strikes in the fourth inning, and a replay showed the pitch to be about 6&nbsp;inches outside.

[[National League (baseball)|National League]] President [[Bill White (first baseman)|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===
{{see also|1995 in baseball|1995 in television}}

*'''April [[1995 in baseball|1995]]''' - [[ESPN Major League Baseball|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===
{{main|1996 in baseball|1996 in television}}
#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 [[Image resolution|high resolution]]; the [[FoxBox (sports)|FoxBox]] is introduced.
#Audio: In [[Stereophonic sound|Stereo]] and [[surround sound]]; wireless mics are placed in the bases.

===1997===
{{main|1997 in baseball|1997 in television}}

*'''May/June [[1997 in baseball|1997]]''' - ESPN debuted ''MaskCam'' on an umpire at the [[1997 College World Series|College World Series]].

<!-- Image with inadequate rationale removed: [[Image:AppsPitch.gif|frame|right|[[Major League Baseball on NBC|NBC]] viewers followed every pitch in the [[1997 World Series]] with the aid of SuperVision, a pitch-tracking system developed by QuesTec Imaging Inc.]] -->
On July 8, 1997, [[Major League Baseball on Fox|Fox]]<ref>{{cite web |title=THE RIGHT CALL |date=2007-10-21 |website=[[New York Post]] |url=http://www.nypost.com/seven/10212007/sports/the_right_call.htm}}</ref> televised its first ever [[1997 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star Game]] (out of [[Jacobs Field]] in [[Cleveland, Ohio|Cleveland]]). For this particular game, Fox introduced "Catcher-Cam" in which a [[Professional video camera|camera]] was affixed to the catchers' masks in order to provide unique perspectives of the action around home plate.<ref>{{cite news|last1=David|first1=David|title=A Particular Point of View Courtesy of Catcher Cam, Couch Potatoes See the Pitch as Clearly as the Batter|url=https://www.si.com/vault/1997/11/17/235190/a-particular-point-of-view-courtesy-of-catcher-cam-couch-potatoes-see-the-pitch-as-clearly-as-the-batter|accessdate=30 July 2016|work=Sports Illustrated|date=17 November 1997}}</ref> 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<ref>[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.]</ref> 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 microphone]]s to Crown Audio PCC160 plate microphones.
*The continuous [[FoxBox (sports)|"FoxBox" graphic]], which contained the score, inning and other information in an upper corner of the TV screen. Since [[2001 in television|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 [[Slow motion|Slo-Mo]]" technology.
*''[[Scooter (talking baseball)|Scooter]]'', a cartoony [[3-D computer graphics|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.<ref>[http://www.thedartmouth.com/article.php?aid=2004042305050 thedartmouth.com]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060308010922/http://www.thedartmouth.com/article.php?aid=2004042305050 |date=March 8, 2006  }}</ref>
*''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 (à 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==
<ref>[http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/baseballs_best/mlb_bb_library00.jsp Baseball's Best: 2000s]</ref>

===2000===
{{main|2000 in baseball|2000 in television}}

For a Saturday afternoon telecast of a [[2000 Los Angeles Dodgers season|Los Angeles Dodgers]]/[[2000 Chicago Cubs season|Chicago Cubs]] game at [[Wrigley Field]] on August 26, [[2000 in baseball|2000]], [[Major League Baseball on Fox|Fox]] aired a special "Turn Back the Clock"<ref>[http://www.hollywood.com/tv/Turn_Back_the_Clock/5193795 Turn Back the Clock (2000) home page at Hollywood.com]</ref> broadcast to commemorate the 61st anniversary of the first televised baseball game.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uni-watch.com/2016/08/25/broadcast-throwbacks/|title=Broadcast Throwbacks|last1=Hecken|first1=Phil|date=August 25, 2016|website=Uni Watch }}</ref>  The broadcast started with a re-creation of the television technology of 1939, with play-by-play announcer [[Joe Buck]] working alone with a single microphone, a single black-and-white camera, and no graphics; then, each subsequent half-inning would see the broadcast "jump ahead in time" to a later era, showing the evolving technologies and presentation of network baseball coverage through the years.

===2001===
{{main|2001 in baseball|2001 in television}}

<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Espnmlbkzone1.jpg|thumb|right|K Zone 1.0]] -->
*'''April 15, 2001''' - ''ESPN Dead Center'' debuted on ''[[Sunday Night Baseball]]'' with the [[2001 Texas Rangers season|Texas Rangers]] versus the [[2001 Oakland Athletics season|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 (sports)|FoxBox]] becomes a banner at the top of the screen.

===2002===
{{main|2002 in baseball|2002 in television}}

*'''April 7, 2002''' - [[ESPN Major League Baseball|ESPN]] became the first network to place a microphone on a player during a regular-season baseball game. "Player Mic" was worn by [[2002 Oakland Athletics season|Oakland]] catcher [[Ramón Hernández]] (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 [[2002 New York Yankees season|New York Yankees]] at [[2002 Boston Red Sox season|Boston Red Sox]] telecast.

In '''October 2002''', [[Major League Baseball on Fox|Fox]] televised the first ever [[2002 World Series|World Series]] to be shown in [[High-definition television|high definition]].

===2003===
{{main|2003 in baseball|2003 in television}}

*'''March 30, 2003''' - [[ESPNHD]], a [[High-definition television|high-definition]] simulcast service of [[ESPN]], debuted with the first regular-season Major League Baseball game of the season - [[2003 Texas Rangers season|Texas]] at [[2003 Anaheim Angels season|Anaheim]].

===2004===
{{main|2004 in baseball|2004 in television}}

*'''April 2004''' - [[ESPN Major League Baseball|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 in baseball|2004]], some [[Braves TBS Baseball|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''', [[Major League Baseball on Fox|Fox]] started airing all Major League Baseball postseason broadcasts (including the [[League Championship Series]] and [[2004 World Series|World Series]]) in [[High-definition television|high definition]]. Fox also started airing the [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game]] in HD [[2005 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|the following year]].  At the same time, the [[FoxBox (sports)|FoxBox]] and graphics are upgraded.

===2005===
{{main|2005 in baseball|2005 in television}}

*'''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===
{{main|2006 in baseball|2006 in television}}

*'''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===
{{main|2007 in baseball|2007 in television}}

For their 2007 Division Series coverage,<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/hiestand-tv/2007-10-01-hiestand-weekend_N.htm TBS juggles broadcast teams after Mets disappear]</ref> [[Major League Baseball on TBS|TBS]]<ref>[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."]</ref> 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.<ref>[https://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.]</ref>

===2009===
{{main|2009 in baseball|2009 in television}}

During their 2009 playoff coverage, TBS<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.insidesocal.com/tomhoffarth/archives/2009/10/what-to-watch-f.html |title=Spying on TBS' Dodgers-Phillies NLCS |access-date=2009-10-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101013005930/http://www.insidesocal.com/tomhoffarth/archives/2009/10/what-to-watch-f.html |archive-date=2010-10-13 |url-status=dead }}</ref> displays their ''PitchTrax'' graphic full-time during at-bats (with the center field camera only) during the high-definition version of the broadcast in the extreme right-hand corner of the screen.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/hiestand-tv/2009-09-30-tbs-baseball-postseason_N.htm | work=USA Today | first=Michael | last=Hiestand | title=TBS ready to roll out postseason MLB coverage | date=September 30, 2009}}</ref>

Meanwhile, for their own 2009 playoff coverage, Fox announced that they would occasionally include this stat on replays: Speed of pitches as they leave pitchers' hands as well as their speed when they cross home plate.<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/hiestand-tv/2009-10-15-espn-virtual-strike-zone_N.htm ESPN taking a cut at virtual pitches]</ref>

==2010s==

===2010===
{{main|2010 in baseball|2010 in television}}

*[[YES Network]] and [[NESN]] integrates the pitch count on to their on screen  graphics. ESPN would follow suit, while also re-hashing their score bug akin to ''[[Monday Night Football]]'', now featuring dots instead of numbers to represent the balls, strikes and outs.
*The [[2010 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2010 All-Star Game]] marked the first time the annual game would be shown in [[3D television|3D]]. [[Kenny Albert]] and [[Mark Grace]] had the call.
*On September 29, [[Major League Baseball on Fox|Fox]] announced that their plans to use cable-cams<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/hiestand-tv/2010-09-28-baseball-flyover-cam_N.htm Fox to fly cameras over NLCS and World Series]</ref> for their coverage of the [[2010 National League Championship Series|National League Championship Series]] and [[2010 World Series|World Series]]. The cable-cams according to Fox, can roam over the field at altitudes ranging from about 12 to 80 feet above ground. They will be able to provide overhead shots of, among other things, "close plays" at bases and "managers talking to their pitchers on the mound."

===2011===
{{main|2011 in baseball|2011 in television}}

With the start of the 2011 postseason, [[Major League Baseball on TBS|TBS]] planned to introduce the following<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fangsbites.com/2011/09/turner-sports-unveils-coverage-plans-announcing-teams-for-mlb-postseason/ |title=Turner Sports Unveils Coverage Plans & Announcing Teams for MLB Postseason |author=Fang, Ken |date=30 September 2011 |work=Fangsbites.com |publisher=Worldpress.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111014171627/http://fangsbites.com/2011/09/turner-sports-unveils-coverage-plans-announcing-teams-for-mlb-postseason/ |archive-date=2011-10-14 }}</ref>
*[[Bloomberg Television|Bloomberg Stats]]: TBS would use Bloomberg Stats as means to integrate comprehensive statistical information into each telecast.
*[[Vizrt|Liberovision]]: This is an innovative 3D interactive [[telestrator]] meant to give fans a new perspective of instant replays.
*New graphics that intend to feature improved functionality with a nostalgic feel.
*Pitch Trax:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.insidesocal.com/tomhoffarth/2011/10/19/foxtrax-vs-pitc/?doing_wp_cron=1354525951.5215129852294921875000 |title=FoxTrax vs. TBS' PitchTrax vs. ESPN's K-zone, and why the network covering the World Series won't be confusing viewers with a live fake strike zone graphic |author=Hoffarth, Tom |date=19 October 2011 |work=Los Angeles Daily News |publisher=Los Angeles Newspaper group |access-date=3 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150608112058/http://www.insidesocal.com/tomhoffarth/2011/10/19/foxtrax-vs-pitc/?doing_wp_cron=1354525951.5215129852294921875000 |archive-date=8 June 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> An in-game technology that illustrates pitch location throughout the games.

The screen on TBS's [[standard-definition television|standard definition]] [[4:3]] feed now airs a [[letterboxed]] version of the native HD feed to match Fox's default [[widescreen]] SD presentation, allowing the right side pitch tracking graphic to be seen by SD viewers.

For the [[2011 World Series]], [[Major League Baseball on Fox|Fox]] debuted [[infrared]] technology<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/hiestand-tv/story/2011-10-18/fox-infra-red-world-series/50817946/1 |title=Fox to use infra-red technology in World Series coverage |author=Hiestand, Michael |date=30 September 2011 |work=USAToday.com |publisher=Gannett Co. Inc. }}</ref> that's designed to pinpoint heat made by a ball making contact — with, say, bats, face masks, players' bodies — and mark the spot for viewers by making it glow. During Game 1, Fox used "Hot Spot" to show that a batted ball was fouled off [[2011 Texas Rangers season|Texas Rangers]] batter [[Adrián Beltré]]'s foot.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/902634-infrared-fox-celebrates-new-technology-in-rangers-world-series-loss |title=Fox Celebrates New Technology at Expense of Texas Rangers |author=Imber, Gil |date=20 October 2011 |work=bleacherreport.com}}</ref>

===2012===
{{main|2012 in baseball|2012 in television}}

[[Major League Baseball on Fox|Fox]]'s [[2012 World Series]] coverage would include a camera whose replays could generate as many as 20,000 frames per second, the most ever seen on Fox—and up from about 60 frames per second on regular replays. The camera would allow viewers "to see the ball compress" when batted, similar to how cameras now show golf balls getting compressed when struck. The technology for the camera originated with the U.S. military looking at replays of missile impacts.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hiestand: Costas' 12-year MLB playoff absence ends |author=Hiestand, Michael |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/columnist/hiestand-tv/2012/10/09/hiestand-nfl-mlb-playoffs/1622587/ |newspaper=USA Today |date=10 October 2012 |accessdate=10 October 2012}}</ref>

===2016===
{{main|2016 in baseball|2016 in television}}

At the beginning of the [[2016 Major League Baseball season|2016 season]], TBS introduced new graphics<ref>{{cite news|last=Bucholtz|first=Andrew|title=A year after their giant score bug, TBS now has a tiny one, and is still getting complaints|url=http://awfulannouncing.com/turner/after-giant-score-bug-tbs-tiny-one-complaints.html|website=AwfulAnnouncing.com|date=October 4, 2017|accessdate=October 10, 2018}}</ref> that were used all season including the postseason.

The score box, which was originally docked to the top and left edges of the screen, was completely redesigned for 2017 after much criticism during the 2016 postseason for its large size. Like the 2016 score bug, the current one still stands in the top left corner, only it is smaller.

==2020s==
===2020===
{{main|2020 in baseball|2020 in television}}

The [[2020 Major League Baseball season|2020 season]] was delayed until July due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. Fox soon announced that they would virtually fill the seats<ref>{{cite news |last=Steinberg|first=Brian|date=July 23, 2020|title=Fox Will Fill Empty Baseball Stadiums With Virtual Fans|url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/fox-sports-baseball-virtual-fans-1234714159/|work=Variety}}</ref> of [[2020 Chicago Cubs season|Chicago]]'s [[Wrigley Field]], [[2020 Los Angeles Dodgers season|Los Angeles]]' [[Dodger Stadium]], [[2020 Washington Nationals season|Washington]]'s [[Nationals Park]], [[2020 San Diego Padres season|San Diego]]'s [[Petco Park]] and other ballparks that it broadcasts games over the next several weeks. Announcers later spent time explaining and demonstrating the use of virtual fans<ref>{{cite news |last=Nagelhout|first=Ryan|date=July 25, 2020|title=Fox Put 'Virtual Fans' In The Seats For Cubs-Brewers And It Was Extremely Weird|url=https://uproxx.com/sports/fox-virtual-fans-cubs-brewers-video/|work=UPROXX}}</ref> during the July 25 game between the Chicago Cubs-[[2020 Milwaukee Brewers season|Milwaukee Brewers]] at Wrigley Field.

==See also==
*[[Digital on-screen graphic]]
*[[FoxBox (sports)]]
*[[Instant replay]]
*[[Major League Baseball television contracts]]
*[[Score bug]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20091014221015/http://www.ejumpcut.org/currentissue/TVbaseball/index.html Baseball on TV by Deborah Tudor]
*[http://www.ieeeghn.org/wiki/index.php/Technological_Innovations_in_Sports_Broadcasting Technological Innovations in Sports Broadcasting]
*[http://www.timesunion.com/sports/article/Baseball-needs-to-clutch-technology-1317745.php Baseball needs to clutch technology]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110410022004/http://www.tvtechnology.com/article/117430 ESPN Retools for Baseball]
*[http://awfulannouncing.com/2014/mlb-all-star-game-on-fox-changes-with-technology-more-cable.html MLB ALL-STAR GAME ON FOX CHANGES WITH TECHNOLOGY, MORE CABLE]

{{Major League Baseball on national television}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Baseball Telecasts Technology}}
[[Category:Baseball-related lists|Telecast technology]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball on television|Telecasts technology]]
[[Category:Sports television technology]]
[[Category:Film and video technology]]
[[Category:History of baseball broadcasting|Telecasts technology]]
[[Category:History of technology]]