MLB and MLBPA officials yesterday were at Angel Stadium “to evaluate the test of a new overhead camera used on FS West's telecast of the Dodgers-Angels game,” according to Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. TIMES. Fox is planning to implement the “Field Cam” for “three nationally televised games in May, the All-Star game, the American League Championship Series and the World Series,” but the network “would need the approval of the players' union and commissioner's office to expand its use.” MLBPA Dir of Player Relations Tony Clark “spent time in both dugouts during the game to get feedback from players,” and MLB Senior VP/Standards & On-Field Operations Joe Garagiola Jr. “met with Fox and union officials.” The camera is “similar to that used on NFL telecasts,” and last night “looked like a small spaceship as it hovered above the plate area and down the lines, toward the foul poles.” DiGiovanna notes some players “wondered whether it could be too intrusive.” Angels C Bobby Wilson: "It might be a distraction for an outfielder to have that camera moving toward you. And what if there's a popup behind the plate with backspin? Those wires might be in the way” (L.A. TIMES, 3/30).
CHANGE IN THE LINEUP: In Milwaukee, Bob Wolfley reported FS Wisconsin for the second straight season will air all of its Brewers telecasts in HD, but the RSN "will usher in some changes and enhancements in its production of games for 2011.” All Brewers telecasts for the first time "will have the Fox-Mo technology available for use.” FS Wisconsin Exec Producer Jeff Byle said of the Fox-Mo technology, “When it’s used properly you can actually see the stitching of the ball after it comes out of the pitcher’s hand. It picks up the rotation. It’s quite spectacular.” Wolfley noted Pitch Tracks will “continue to be part of the presentation,” and the “on-air look of the telecasts will be altered slightly with new animation and graphics packages.” All 16 of Fox Sports' RSNs “are going to use the music from up-and-coming national bands during game telecasts” (JSONLINE.com, 3/29).
