This is why you have MLB Network. It continues to pick up live inventory and this time, it’s Minor League Baseball. No details if MLB Network would take the local broadcasts, I would think that would be the case, but the channel announces that it will also carry the Triple A All-Star Game and that will be produced in-house.
Here’s the press release.
MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL™ GAMES TO AIR LIVE ON MLB NETWORKCoverage Includes Triple-A All-Star Game & Select MiLB Games Throughout 2010 SeasonSecaucus, N.J. – Minor League Baseball (MiLB) is coming to MLB Network this year, with select live games throughout the 2010 season and the Triple-A All-Star Game. Coverage begins on Monday, April 26 with the Gwinnett Braves (Triple-A – Atlanta Braves) at Durham Bulls (Triple-A – Tampa Bay Rays) at 11:00 a.m. ET, followed by the Burlington Bees (A – Kansas City Royals) at Quad Cities River Bandits (A – St. Louis Cardinals) on Monday, May 3 at 12:00 p.m. ET.MLB Network’s Mitch Williams and Philadelphia Phillies announcer Tom McCarthy will be in the broadcast booth for the Triple-A All-Star Game on Wednesday, July 14 at 7:00 p.m. ET live from Allentown, Pa., home of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, the Philadelphia Phillies Triple-A affiliate. Williams, an 11-year MLB veteran, was a relief pitcher for the Phillies from 1991-1993. McCarthy, who called radio play-by-play for the Phillies from 2001-2005, is currently the Phillies television play-by-play announcer.MLB Network’s MiLB schedule also includes the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (Triple-A – New York Yankees) at Indianapolis Indians (Triple-A – Pittsburgh Pirates) on May 19 at 11:00 a.m. ET, timed with Indianapolis’ “Baseball in Education” promotion, and the Norfolk Tides (Triple-A – Baltimore Orioles) at Columbus Clippers (Triple-A – Cleveland Indians) on June 15 at 12:00 p.m. ET. MLB Network will air additional weekday afternoon games throughout the summer and each game will be a simulcast of local telecasts, including local announcers.“We want to provide viewers with as many live baseball games as possible, and Minor League Baseball on MLB Network will give fans the chance to watch MLB’s future standout players,” said Tony Petitti, President and Chief Executive Officer of MLB Network.“Minor League Baseball is pleased to expand its relationship with MLB Network by adding one of our marquee events in the Triple-A All-Star Game, as well as additional regular season games from our various leagues,” said Pat O’Conner, Minor League Baseball President.The MiLB schedule is in addition to MLB Network’s carriage of live MLB games during the regular season, including MLB Matinee, a series of weekday afternoon games, Thursday Night Baseball and Saturday Night Baseball. Thursday Night Baseball games will be produced by MLB Network and feature MLB Network on-air talent calling the games. All other games will be carriage of local telecasts, including local announcers.
One more release and I’ll be working on the links for today.
