Who says America’s (former) favorite pastime has gotten too commercial? What, just because the list of All-Star Game sponsors is longer than the rosters? Well, at least part of the proceeds are going toward offering a live pre-game webcast from Fox, allowing fans to get close up views of the steroid tracks.
Er, I meant batting practice.
More on the webcast after this announcement:
Chris Rose, two-time MLB All-Star Rob Dibble and FSN reporter Charissa Thompson follow the 2007 All-Stars as they board a fleet of Chevy Silverados and Impalas at San Francisco’s famous Pier 32 and arrive in front of AT&T Park for interviews conducted near the Willie Mays statue. FSN’s MLB ALL-STAR GAME RED CARPET SPECIAL PRESENTED BY CHEVROLET also features contributions from special guests including Hall of Famers Ozzie Smith and Harmon Killebrew.
Oh yeah, and eat more hotdogs. Now back to the article.
Co-produced FoxSports.com (actually, it’s MSN.FoxSports.com, for maximum cross-mojonation) and MLB.com, fans can access a two-hour pre-game webcast beginning at 5 PM ET. In addition to warm-ups and batting practices, the webcast will feature on-field interviews with players and coaches, analysis of the season’s first half and live coverage of the official All-Star team photo shoot.
Oooooh. A photo shoot.
Be right back:
When it’s time for the evening’s main event, MLB on FOX’s Emmy Award-winning broadcast team of play-by-play announcer Joe Buck and analyst Tim McCarver call the action live from the nation’s most picturesque ballpark. Jeanne Zelasko and analysts Kevin Kennedy and Eric Karros host pre- and post-game coverage. MLB on FOX’s Ken Rosenthal and Jose Mota serve as in-game reporters, and Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder and FOX Sports player analyst Eric Byrnes also contributes to the broadcast.
This year’s All-Star Game pits the American and National Leagues against each other for the 78th year, with the American League looking to stretch their winning streak to eleven years running.
The pre-game webcast represents the ever-increasing convergence of television and the World Wide Web, as broadcasters and advertisers seek to maximize and retain audiences for advertisers.
Oh yeah, and sell more hotdogs.