Today, I received an email confirmation from MLB.com with the subject line, “Welcome to MLB.TV Premium Yearly” In the body it has:
WELCOME TO LIVE BASEBALL: Watch all 2,430 regular season games online (subject to blackout restrictions). Almost 100 games live every week. MLB.com®: Where Baseball is Always On.
2011 MLB.TV Premium Yearly Subscription
$119.99
Yes, all 2,430 regular season games, nearly 150 spring training games and upgrade privileges to catch the playoffs and world series games in October.
Why did I pay $119.99 for access to something that’s already on television every night through September? I’d say it’s for the same reason that I spent $250 for a planee ticket plus an additional $300 for a dugout level seat at a San Francisco Giants game in May with another plan to go again in July (with slightly cheaper seats). I’d also say it’s for the same reason that I just bought an official Pablo Sandoval jersey and SF Giants cap and pint glass or perhaps why my iPad and iPhone wallpaper are now adorned in SF Giants logos.
I’ve become sort of a super fan.
In almost the same way that I don’t miss a single Florida Gators football game every year, I’m going all in on the SF Giants. Would this have happened if they didn’t win the world series last year? Of course! I was already on my way to such fanaticism a year ago. In fact, I used to watch a few SF Giants games here and there when I lived in Florida and started attending games after moving to San Francisco. Of course, back then, I was in the nosebleed $8 seats but, despite making more money these days, I still would go even if only the cheap seats were available. I guess I figured it’s worth the extra money since I’m literally flying across country to go to a game.
Before I continue my post about the awesomeness that is my hometown baseball team (citation needed I’m sure since I’m not from SF), I’d like to send a few notes out to Major League Baseball and their incredible work in making baseball techie and easy and for subsequently getting me to spend money on their MLB.TV service.
The first time I downloaded MLB’s iPad app was last year at the start of the season. I was watching SF Giants games from my home and going to games every 3-4 weeks and what’s great about AT&T Park in SF is that they have stadium wide Wi-Fi. So, even from the nosebleed seats, I could watch everything going on via my iPad. I didn’t get MLB.TV at that time but I would plug in headphones and listen to the announcer and watch stats and scores update in real-time while at the park. At home, I could watch a Giants game while keeping track of scores and plays that were happening all over the country. It’s actually a pretty nifty interface. The iPhone app isn’t as nice due to the smaller screen but when you’re on the go and watch to check scores or play the game audio, it’s a nice thing to have. The apps are expensive as the iPad app is $15 but it works all season and into the playoffs so it’s not much for a baseball fan.
This doesn’t really explain why I paid so much money for the live TV version. Well, this is where the tech experts at MLB have really blown me away. There is MLB.TV through my web browser, a Boxee App for MLB, an iPad and iPhone app. All four mediums support the live games.
Via Web Browser: I can watch up to 4 games at once via picture in picture / quad view. I can rewind and pause games and switch to slow-mo to see replays. I can switch between any games currently on and listen to audio from both the home and away announcer. I admit that I’m partial to SF Giants’ announcer so, hearing his voice even though the giants are in Arizona is pretty cool. You choose who’s voice you hear no matter what your geographic location is.
Via iPad / iPhone: You can watch the live streams while also watching stats, scores and even the angle that the pitcher through the ball via a virtual animation with only about 30 second delays from being in the actual stadium. I can do this anywhere in the world so, I can still watch SF Giants battle the Dodgers while I’m in Belgium or Amsterdam or India. If anything, I can just tune in later (up to 7 days later) and catch all of the highlights or a 5 minute game recap which is really a great feature that’s available even if you’re not an MLB.TV subscriber and this is all through the app.
Via Boxee: You can watch live games and have a nice ticker of scores and plays as well. You have to be a subscriber to get this feature but, this way I can catch any game without blackout or local restrictions because, I have to admit that catching every SF Giants game while living in New Hampshire is nearly impossible. It’s pretty much going to be only Boston Red Sox games in this area. So, I can watch games on my television via Boxee.
The best thing about MLB.TV seems kind of stupid but, during commercial breaks, the screen goes blank with current score and other standings and says “commercial break” so I can avoid having to mute my television during commercials. In fact, it’s completely commercial free so that’s a total win. I don’t think MLB.TV likes that it’s commercial free since this is really due to commercials being a part of the network carrier and not major league baseball but, for now, I kind of win and it’s a good feeling.
—————-
All of these tech treats make being a SF Giants fan in New Hampshire who travels a week out of the month much easier. I can watch games anywhere with live scores, animations, picture in picture and without commercials from my Mac, iPad, iPhone and Sony TV all year!
Why baseball?
Honestly, I have no idea. I think it started out with the accessibility and pricing of the games. It’s a total pasttime sport. You don’t have to watch every play and can walk away, write for a bit and tune in when you want. Every team plays hundreds of games (the league has over 2,400 games per year) so I can still watch a lot of games and not have to watch every moment. I love football but can only follow one team because each 4 hour game takes my complete attention and it’s just too time consuming.
Like I said, I’d still be a fan if the Giants didn’t win the world series last year. I’ll be a fan of theirs for a very long time. I love the Giants and have for most of my life and, I just love the underdog team (even though they’re world champions) with their beards and charges of marijuana possession and when my favorite SF blogs have sightings of players in record stores or riding bikes in Dolores Park. It feels like they’re a team of misfits and that just works for a city like San Francisco.
I look forward to going to at least two games this season because it’s hard making a cross country flight just for a baseball game and I’ll be tuning in to as many games as possible. The Giants are already up 7-2 in Spring Training. Bos is currently 3-3 and Yankees 2-4. Go Giants!
Here’s to our San Francisco Giants and the upcoming 2011 season.
Screenshots of the iPad App and Boxee App (which also plays live games) from Today’s BOS versus FLA game that I’m watching while writing this post :) You can click on each image for a larger view.
PS – Welcome 12oz crew (link). It’s sad you guys are still following me. Please move on.
“Like I said, I’d still be a fan if the Giants didn’t win the super bowl last year. I’ll be a fan of theirs for a very long time.”
Baseball teams do not play in the Super Bowl…the Giants won the World Series.
I wrote this in 15 minutes and didn’t proof-read. Ya know, it was the weekend so I was preferring to watch baseball than write about it.Thanks anyway. You have a pretty spammy email address.