I’M GOING TO BE ABLE TO WATCH LIVE BASEBALL?! KBO and ESPN Agree on Deal to Broadcast Live Baseball
Yes you read that right, there will be live baseball to watch. But they might be while most people are sleeping. According to Jeff Passan’s article, ESPN and Eclat Media Group have come to an agreement. ESPN will be the Korean Baseball Organization’s (KBO) exclusive English speaking network. This will allow fans in America to enjoy watching live baseball for the first time since spring training.
When and How to Watch
Opening day is tomorrow, Tuesday 5/5 at 1am ET on ESPN. For most games they will be on ESPN 2. They will show 6 live games a week. Mostly at 5:30am Tuesday-Friday, 4am on Saturdays, and 1am Sunday (all times Eastern). For most people this is while they sleep but the die hard baseball fans will create their schedules around these times. A lot of people have changed their sleep patterns already because of the quarantine.
What if a New Case Comes Up?
According to Jeff Passan in the same article Korea is down to 10 new cases a day. Which means they are way ahead for America for the curve of the Coronavirus. For the past couple weeks KBO teams have been practicing. They have been taking temperature of all employees as they come in. They are not testing everyday because of the need for testing in other areas of the country. They will monitor symptoms while the games are being played. If a new cases comes up for any of the employees of teams there is a 3 week shut down in place. The executives of the league will meet and if they feel it is right to shut the league down then they will.
Getting To Know The KBO
Admittedly, I am not the most knowledgeable about the KBO. But, I will learn a lot over the near future. From what I have read so far, there are 10 teams in it with a lot of former Major League talent throughout. Former first round pick of the Red Sox Casey Kelly is a pitcher for the LG Twins. Another Passan article shows the power rankings for the league. The Tigers are compared to the Yankees where they have the most money and are willing to spend it to win. But spending a lot of money does not mean winning, just ask the Giants. They spent the most but came in last place.
My Thoughts
I might not stay up (or wake up early) for these games because I am very lucky that I still have my regular job. But I will be watching all the highlights I can get. This is very exciting to be able to watch some live baseball while I wait for Major League Baseball to return. Also ,seeing how a completely different country plays the game I love will be great. I have always found it interesting how players from around the world play the game so differently. Now, I will be able to watch it as my only live baseball.
I will be giving some recaps on game while the season goes on. I might even become a fan of a team just to make it more fun for myself. I suggest you other baseball fans do the same. Learn about a team and their players!
Wrap Up
ESPN and the KBO have agreed to a deal to have ESPN broadcast live baseball games. These games will be on between 1-5:30am ET. This will give baseball fans their live fix they have been waiting. I will be following the league and having fun with it. Try to find a team you like and follow them.
-Tom “Powder” Cadmus (@powder42308)