MLB Forbids Fans From Sharing Video of Little Girl Tossing Back Foul Ball
baseball posts
Cell Phones, Computers, BlackBerry, iPhone, Web
Buy Me Some Peanuts and iPhone Apps: High-Tech Ballparks on the Rise
Since its inception, the sport of baseball has remained largely unchanged on the field, a fact that's played a large part in endearing the game to generations of Americans. Yet, there's no doubt that things have changed in the stands. Scorecards disappeared long ago, giant video screens replaced binoculars, and cell phones now light up the stands instead of glowing cigars. It's a fact; technology is altering how we spend a day at the ballpark.According to ABC News, the latest wave of smart phones might be having an unprecedented impact on America's pastime -- or at least how we watch it. Fans are using free Wi-Fi, which is offered at many stadiums like San Francisco's AT&T Park, to access new, unique content during the game. AT&T Park officials told ABC News that 1,310 fans logged on to the stadium's network, which features 139 access points, during the busiest game of the Giants' season. There's a pitch-tracker application for the iPhone that shows the spot at which every pitch crosses the plate, and on-demand video replays at the Giants' Digital Dugout Web site (which also features a food finder to help fans locate particular drinks and treats in the ballpark). Some fans even check Facebook and e-mails during the game, something die-hards frown upon.
Celebrities, Web, Social Networking
St. Louis Cardinals Manager Tony La Russa Calls Foul on Twitter
St. Louis Cardinals' manager Tony La Russa has called, "You're out!" to Twitter. According to FOX News, the future hall-of-fame baseball manager filed suit last month against the microblogging site.
La Russa, who is seeking an unspecified amount in damages, claims a fake Twitter account set up in his name featured "derogatory and demeaning" comments that caused him emotional distress and injured his reputation. The most troubling tweets concern two former Cardinals pitchers -- unnamed in the article -- who have both died in the last few years. While the account is no longer active, pages from the lawsuit show a screenshot with a picture of La Russa and a heading that reads, "Hey there! Tony La Russa is using Twitter."
Best Baseball Tech of 2009
Hot dogs, peanuts, beer, air conditioning, and HD games on a Saturday afternoon. Ahh, baseball for the geek chic. As old and classic as our national pastime is, baseball is often enjoyed even more with the help of gadgets. Whether we're playing the latest video game simulation, or getting our scores and standings on a mobile device, we need our baseball, and we need it now.
Gone are the days of penciled-in scorecards. Instead, we check box scores online, play fantasy baseball in online roto leagues that do all the math for us, and watch multi-camera broadcasts in Japanese. Don't fret, though, baseball purists; the gadgets on the following pages are sure to keep the dream alive, the grass green and fragrant, and the crack of the bat just as crisp as it was at the school yard.
Best Baseball Gadgets
Hot dogs, peanuts, beer, air conditioning, and HD games on a Saturday afternoon. Ahh, baseball for the geek chic. As old and classic as our national pastime is, baseball is often enjoyed even more with the help of gadgets. Whether we're playing the latest video game simulation, or getting our scores and standings on a mobile device, we need our baseball, and we need it now.
Gone are the days of penciled-in scorecards. Instead, we check box scores online, play fantasy baseball in online roto leagues that do all the math for us, and watch multi-camera broadcasts in Japanese. Don't fret, though, baseball purists; the gadgets on the following pages are sure to keep the dream alive, the grass green and fragrant, and the crack of the bat just as crisp as it was at the school yard.
Yankee Stadium Goes Big With New Jumbotron
With spring training now in full gear and the regular season just around the corner, baseball fans have plenty of reasons to look forward to the 2009 season, 3D-enhanced baseball cards being among them. Although New York Yankees fans had to say goodbye to the historic Yankee Stadium last year, they'll be pleased to find one of the largest TV screens in the world installed next door at the new $1.3 billion Yankee Stadium.
The Mitsubishi Diamond Vision LED display spans a massive 6,000 square feet. The huge, high-definition outdoor screen, made up of 8,601,600 LEDs, will be able to pump out four separate video feeds at a time, and can even do live picture-in-picture. Wired also reports that the new stadium will contain over 1,400 other video screens, so you won't have to worry about missing a play if you get the snack bar munchies or need to run to the bathroom. Fans should have no problem seeing the towering 60-foot-tall screen, although the action on the field might be harder to discern (especially for those who can't afford to pay $600 for a decent seat). [From: Wired Via: OhGizmo]
Related Links:
- NFL to Stream DirecTV Sunday Ticket Service on the Web
- NBA Star Chastised For Twittering During Halftime
- Topps Launches Webcam-Enhanced 3-D Baseball Cards
Topps Launches Webcam-Enhanced 3-D Baseball Cards
Father's Day: Baseball Scorecast
Any fan constantly checking scores or standings online will undoubtedly be a gracious recipient. Unless, of course, he's a Met's fan -- in which case we suggest that you take him to a doctor, since we hear they're prone to ulcers.
Cell Phones, Computers, Celebrities
Former All-Star Outfielder Brady Anderson Takes Up Online Dating
Internet dating has certainly been a boon for those of us who are less socially inclined, but if a chiseled celebrity athlete is forced online, what hope is there for the rest of us.
From TMZ
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Baseball Scores Without the Internet or TV on a Small Device
A new generation of electronics is putting information at your disposal any time, all the time. One of the pioneers of this category of device is Ambient Devices, a company that was created to bring technologies developed at MIT's Media Lab to the masses.
At CES, Ambient Devices showed off its new Ambient Baseball Scorecast device. The Scorecast pulls in scores, standings, and schedules over a proprietary network (no Internet or cell access required). Just pop in 4 AA batteries (which should last an entire season according to Ambient) and it will pull in scores immediately. No subscription fee, no Wi-Fi, nothing. And the Scorecast is always up to date. Updates are pushed out to the devices every half inning, so you can check in throughout the night without turning on the TV or walking away from a meal on the stove.
The Ambient Baseball Scorecast will be landing in retail outlets across the country in April for $124.99
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MLB Takes On Slingbox
Never again will we doubt how seriously MLB takes this disclaimer. Apparently, it believes that using the place-shifting Slingbox to watch games on your laptop or smart phone while away from home is illegal. The Slingbox is a gadget that allows you to rebroadcast your TV programming to any online device, be it a computer or capable cell phone. It's very useful for frequent travelers and those who need (or want) to catch up on TV while away from home.
MLB licensing is a maze of local, regional, and national agreements that give the baseball organization as much control as possible over its content. MLB has even gone after fantasy league baseball Web sites, claiming they need to pay a licensing fee to use players statistics. In the current case, MLB says that because the Slingbox allows users to watch a game that should be blacked out in another region, it violates the organization's rule set on local exclusivity of content.
A senior VP at the National Hockey League, Keith Ritter, has a good piece of advice for the licensing fundamentalists at MLB -- "Don't sue your fans."
From Gizmodo
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Gaming This Weekend: 5.18.07
What a week of gaming news! First the 'Halo 3' beta goes up, down, and up again and then Sony dumps a boat load of amazing upcoming games on us. What more could we ask for?'MLB07: The Show'
Sony's first-party baseball game finally hits the PS3 this week, and the wait was definitely worth it. With crisp graphics, solid game play, and a thorough franchise mode, 'MLB07' finally gives PS3-owning baseball fans the hardball heavyweight they've been waiting for. Check it out and get your fix of some SIXAXIS-friendly baseball. And, yes, Boston fans, Dice-K is on the Sox's roster.
'Halo 3' Beta
Surely you've heard about the 'Halo 3' beta, both the good and the bad. This week (and now until June 10), millions of lucky people are testing out this massively popular shooter form Bungie, due September 25. If you're one of the lucky ones, enjoy the crazy weekend and take out some blues (or reds) for us.
Sony's Mega Announcements
Those who thought that the PS3 didn't have any must-have exclusive titles were sent to the quiet corner this week when Sony demonstrated more than 30 upcoming games in San Diego at Sony's Gamer's Day event. Titles we can't wait for include 'Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction', 'Warhawk', 'LittleBigPlanet', 'Uncharted: Drake's Fortune', 'Heavenly Sword', 'SOCOM Confrontation' and the trippy-looking 'Folklore'. Good stuff ahead for PS3 owners, no doubt.
Coming Next Week
Next week looks like it's going to be a bit of a wallet-buster with a couple of titles we're looking forward to, so you may want to save your money if you're not a huge baseball fan. 'Odin Sphere' for the PS2 comes out on May 22nd, combining RPG and 2-D, old-school side-scrolling elements in what looks to be an instant cult hit. In addition, 'Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End' brings action-adventure of the finest kind to virtually all consoles (Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, PS2, PSP, PC, and Nintendo DS).
Better Pitching Through Technology
Whether you're the office softball team's hurler looking to improve, or the entire Phillies bullpen searching for a prayer, RevFire may be the answer. The new pitcher's tool features two bionic balls that look and feel like the regulation stuff, but have sensors embedded deep within. Those sensors allow the system's hand-held monitor to track speed, rotation speed and the number of pitches thrown in a given session -- all vital info for those working on either improving or rehabilitating their arm.
At $398 for either the softball or baseball version, the RevFire isn't exactly an affordable option for the average Pee Wee leaguer. However, for those who can afford to spend upwards of $300 on a standalone radar gun, the extra info provided by the RevFire is well worth the extra expense.
From Engadget
Gaming This Weekend
Guitar Hero II
Gather the family for Easter dinner and rock out with Guitar Hero II, finally released for the Xbox 360. For around $80-90 you get the game, a guitar controller, and hours of fun. Warning: Don't be surprised if family members take over your living room when they see this one.
Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar
Looking for a break from World of Warcraft? Perhaps you're a relentless Lord of the Rings fan. This new online game comes out April 24, but if you pre-order you can get in on the free beta test period.
Super Paper Mario
The fat plumber is back with Super Paper Mario for the Nintendo Wii. He arrives next Tuesday, but this might a reason to save your cash.
Sony PSP Drops in Price
Speaking of saving cash, if you waited all this time for Sony to drop the price on the PlayStation Portable, your wish has come true. The PSP is now $169.
Baseball is Back!
Hot dogs, beer, and the crack o' the bat. While it may still be 20-degrees outside where you live, that can't stop you from picking up one of the new baseball games: MLB 2K7 (Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, PSP, and Nintendo DS) or MLB: The Show (PS2, PSP, and May 15 for the PS3).
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