MLB
The Super Bowl is over, now… baseball?
Baseball fans are forlorn over the continuing MLB lockout, but with spring baseball dead in the water for the pros, ESPN and the NCAA are punching back
Traditionally, the Super Bowl festivities drawing to a close brings a flood of social media posts along the lines of “now that the Super Bowl is over, it’s time to get ready for baseball season”. This year, the lockout that seems to show no signs of nearing an end have made those memes a little more circumspect.
A lack of progress in labor talks between the owners and the players association has delayed the start of spring training, and nobody knows when camps might actually get underway. While any hope of Spring Training has now been abandoned by all but the most hopeful of fans, there is still a flickering possibility that an agreement will be reached before the traditional Easter Monday Opening Day.
After the latest proposal from the owners bounced the ball back into the MLBPA’s court, it is clear that the two sides are still oceans apart. The owners appear to be holding out for arbitration, a proposal that the players have already rejected out of hand. Both sides seem to be digging in for the long haul.
But what of the long-suffering baseball fan? Those of us who wait all year for spring training and the exhibition games that it brings? In years gone by, this may have meant that we would have to simply pray for a resolution or it is no baseball. An American summer with no baseball? Unthinkable!
In today’s market, however, fans have a choice, and many are making their voice heard. “Do what you want in MLB,” they say, “I’ll watch college baseball.” And the NCAA are happy to oblige.
ESPN has announced that this season they will televise over 200 college baseball games and stream more than 2000 of them on their partnered digital platforms. From the NCAA Opening Day, February 18, to the College World Series in May, baseball fans will be able to watch all of their favorite Division I schools.
Can’t Miss Matchups on ESPN2 and ESPNU
- 19 Tennessee at No. 3 Vanderbilt on ESPN2 (April 1)
- 17 TCU at No. 1 Texas on ESPNU (April 9)
- 9 Florida at No. 3 Vanderbilt on ESPN2 (April 15)
- 4 Mississippi State at No. 5 Ole Miss on ESPN2 (April 23)
- 5 Ole Miss at No. 2 Arkansas on ESPN2 (April 30)
- 20 UC Irvine at No. 24 Long Beach State on ESPNU (May 1)
- 5 Ole Miss at No. 8 LSU on ESPN2 (May 13)
Conference Spotlight
SEC Network
All games for the 2022 SEC Baseball Tournament will air on SEC Network and ESPN2. Four of the nation’s top-5 teams are from the SEC, including defending national champion Mississippi State.
ACC Network
ACCN will exclusively feature the semifinals of the ACC Baseball Championship while the title game will air on ESPN2. The ACC features six teams in the preseason top-25.
Big 12
Now on ESPN+ Big 12 Now on ESPN+ will stream 125 matchups throughout the regular season. The Big 12 features three teams in the preseason top-25.
Longhorn Network
Longhorn Network, the home of Texas baseball, will carry nearly every home game of the 2022 regular season, totaling 28 games this year as the Longhorns enter the season as the nation’s No.1 team.