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Center Field Shot A History of Baseball on Television 1st Edition by James R Walker, Robert V Bellamy ISBN 0803248253 9780803248250

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Center Field Shot A History of Baseball on Television 1st Edition James R. Walker Digital Instant Download

Author(s): James R. Walker, Robert V. Bellamy
ISBN(s): 9780803248250, 0803248253
Edition: 1
File Details: PDF, 3.63 MB
Year: 2008
Language: english
SKU: EB-2140242 Category: Tags: ,

Center Field Shot A History of Baseball on Television 1st Edition by James R Walker, Robert V Bellamy – Ebook PDF Instant Download/Delivery: 0803248253, 9780803248250
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Product details:

ISBN 10: 0803248253 
ISBN 13: 9780803248250
Author: James R Walker, Robert V Bellamy

In Baseball Weekly’s list of things that most affected baseball in the twentieth century, television ranked second—behind only the signing of Jackie Robinson. The new medium of television exposed baseball to a genuinely national audience; altered the financial picture for teams, owners, and players; and changed the way Americans followed the game. Center Field Shot explores these changes—all even more prominent in the first few years of the twenty-first century—and makes sense of their meaning for America’s pastime.

Center Field Shot traces a sometimes contentious but mutually beneficial relationship from the first televised game in 1939 to the new era of Internet broadcasts, satellite radio, and high-definition TV, considered from the perspective of businessmen collecting merchandising fees and advertising rights, franchise owners with ever more money to spend on talent, and broadcasters trying to present a game long considered “unfriendly” to television. Ultimately the association of baseball with television emerges as a reflection of—perhaps even a central feature of—American culture at large.

Center Field Shot A History of Baseball on Television 1st Table of contents:

Part I: The Dawn of an Era: From Radio to the Small Screen (1930s-1950s)

Chapter 1: The Experimental Pitches: Early Television Broadcasts

  • From Radio’s Reign to Television’s Promise
  • The First Broadcasts: Niche Experiments and Local Views (e.g., Princeton vs. Columbia, Dodgers vs. Phillies)
  • Technological Limitations and Early Production Challenges
  • The War Years: A Pause and a Catalyst

Chapter 2: Post-War Boom: Baseball Finds Its Home in American Living Rooms

  • The Surge of Television Ownership
  • Major League Baseball Embraces the Medium (Cautiously)
  • The World Series as a National Spectacle
  • Early Regional Broadcasts and Local Icons
  • The Impact on Attendance and Fan Engagement Debates

Part II: The Golden Age and Technological Leaps (1960s-1970s)

Chapter 3: Broadcasters as Stars: The Voice of the Game

  • The Rise of Iconic Announcers and Their Influence (e.g., Mel Allen, Vin Scully, Harry Caray)
  • Crafting the Narrative: Play-by-Play and Color Commentary
  • The Evolution of Broadcasting Teams
  • The Announcer’s Role in Shaping the Viewer’s Connection to the Team and Sport

Chapter 4: Beyond the Basics: Innovation in the Broadcast Booth and Beyond

  • The Advent of Instant Replay: Changing How We See the Game
  • Color Television: Bringing the Green Grass and Uniforms to Life
  • Slow Motion, Close-Ups, and the Art of the Telecast
  • Graphics, Statistics, and Enhancing the Viewer’s Understanding

Chapter 5: The Economics of the Game: TV Rights and Revenue Streams

  • Major League Baseball’s Centralization of Broadcast Rights
  • Network Deals: The Giants of ABC, CBS, and NBC
  • The Birth of Television Revenue as a Driving Force in Baseball
  • Early Controversies: Blackouts and Market Protection

Part III: The Cable Revolution and Modernization (1980s-1990s)

Chapter 6: Cable Takes the Field: ESPN, TBS, and Regional Networks

  • The Rise of Cable Television and Its Impact on Sports Consumption
  • ESPN’s Role in Nationalizing Baseball Beyond Network Broadcasts
  • Superstations (e.g., TBS and the Braves): Creating National Fan Bases
  • The Proliferation of Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) and Local Coverage
  • Increased Access and the Fragmentation of the Audience

Chapter 7: The Game Adapts: Rules, Pace, and Presentation

  • How Television Influenced Rule Changes (e.g., Designated Hitter, Pace of Play discussions)
  • The Visual Aesthetics of the Game: Stadium Design, Uniforms
  • The Emergence of Player Celebrities Through Television Exposure
  • The Strike of 1994 and Its Television Ramifications

Part IV: The Digital Age and Future Horizons (Late 1990s – Early 2000s, as of 1st Edition)

Chapter 8: The Internet’s Intervention: Streaming and New Platforms

  • Early Web Presence and Online Content
  • MLB.tv and the Rise of Direct-to-Consumer Streaming (Though this might be just emerging for a 2009 edition, or discussed as a future trend)
  • The Integration of Digital Media into Broadcasts
  • Fantasy Sports and Interactive Viewing

Chapter 9: Baseball’s Global Reach: Television Beyond North America

  • International Broadcasts and the Export of Baseball
  • The World Baseball Classic (if pre-2009) and International Competitions on TV
  • Baseball’s Presence in Latin America, Asia, and Beyond

Chapter 10: The Enduring Charm and Lingering Questions

  • The Unique Symbiosis of Baseball and Television
  • Challenges: Declining Viewership, Competition from Other Sports, Pace of Play Debates
  • The Future of Baseball Broadcasting: Adapting to Changing Media Landscapes
  • The Legacy of the “Center Field Shot”

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