Ump Cam? Fox Looks At Adding New Technology To MLB Coverage

MLB Showing Interest In In-Game Interviews During All-Star Game

MLB officials sitting in on Fox’ annual seminar to plan its ’05 baseball coverage “were sympathetic to TV’s needs,” according to Michael Hiestand of USA TODAY. MLB President & COO Bob DuPuy “listened to Fox’s requests for letting Fox announcers have access to players before World Series games,” and MLB Exec VP/Business Tim Brosnan “seemed interested” in the idea of “interviewing batters just before they headed to the on-deck circle at the All-Star Game.” Brosnan: “I’m Mr. Access, but we have to be careful with this game [because it determines World Series home-field advantage].” Hiestand reports that among other technological advances, Fox Sports President Ed Goren wants something “that shows the exact time between when a ball leaves a pitcher’s hand and when it arrives at home plate.” Also, Fox Sports TV Group Chair & CEO David Hill “thinks cameras on umps would work if they were mounted on chest protectors.” Hill: “We have to keep pushing [MLB] to relax the rules.” Hiestand notes Fox “will add graphics inspired by” videogames when its Saturday afternoon coverage begins May 21 (USA TODAY, 5/4).