Take a Deep Breath, It's Just the First Game of Spring - Same Can be Said for SportsNet LA

After spending a little bit of time reading various comments on twitter during this afternoons inaugural game, I am reminded that way too many folks take these early Spring contest way too seriously.

You'll need to take a breather and realize that anything you witness in the early goin' must be taken with a grain of salt.  It's very easy to take for granted that nearly every ballplayers that is a cinch to make the Opening Day roster are not necessarily working on getting outs or hitting for average.  They are preparing for when the games count, and at this moment we are many weeks away from that.  So, I would expect pitchers to be working on getting a feel for pitches they haven't thrown competitively in months, and for batters to become more comfortable with a swing they haven't used in ages.  Remember, getting muscle memory in tune with your desired performance level will take time.

I am always reminded of this when I think back to my own visits to Vero Beach for Spring Training many moons ago.  I recall sitting nearly behind the catcher and realizing that the days starting pitcher threw nothing but fastballs.  Not only that, he wasn't varying the speeds all that much.  Instead, it was clear that the pitcher was testing out his feel for the pitch and his ability to locate it where he wanted.

It was an early Spring game, and that pitcher, along with nearly every pitcher that followed, couldn't care less about the results.  They were more interested in making that slow and steady climb towards competitive performance, and not being perfect right out of the gate.

So, with that being said, these early Spring stats are meaningless; whether they be negative or positive.  Case in point, Clayton Kershaw threw his first Spring game this afternoon and he got shelled.  Via a tweet from Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times:

Kershaw's line: 2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 2 SOs. 42 pitches, 26 strikes. #Dodgers
— Dylan Hernandez (@dylanohernandez) February 26, 2014

Not a great start, eh?  Fortunately, Jon Weisman of Dodger Insider adds some perspective:

Kershaw gave up hard-hit balls to all three OF spots in first inning. Nothing new: Last year at ST, he had 4.18 ERA, 1.36 WHIP #Dodgers
— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) February 26, 2014

Jon also wrote more about Kershaw's day at Dodger Insider.  Check out his post here.

BTW, the same can be said for Rule 5 Draft pickup Seth Rosin.  Via @Dodgers on twitter:

.@SethDanielRosin strikes out four #Dbacks in a row and five in two innings. That's pretty good. #Dodgers down 3-1 through 5.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) February 26, 2014

I don't want to rain on everyone's parade, but this is just the first game of Spring.  I do, on the other hand, agree with what Mike Petriello at Dodgers Digest said on twitter:

Seth Rosin just whiffed five guys in two innings.  That includes Hill and Goldschmidt. Way to make an impression.
— Mike Petriello (@mike_petriello) February 26, 2014

I believe it's safe to say that Rosin is earning hard looks by everyone in the front office and coaching staffs.  He could be a diamond in the rough, or he a flash in the pan - only time will tell.

*Pic at the very top via @Dbacks on twitter.

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(Vin Scully at SportsNet LA launch, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014)

I also wanted to take a moment to briefly comment about last night's opening SportsNet LA broadcast. 

In one word, it was "AWESOME".  There is nothing like knowing that there will be Dodger Baseball available to me 24 hours a day/7 days a week.  I especially loved the opening montage to begin their broadcast that featured a brilliant monolgue by Vin Scully.  You can watch that online here. 

If you missed it (likely due to issues out of your control - more on that later), I shared one of the stories Vin Scully spoke about during his interview on Access SportsNet: Dodgers.  Go here to see that post.  In that interview, Vin regaled us about a game when he actually wore the Dodgers uniform.  It was hilarious and perfect.

As for many of you folks who could not watch last nights broadcast, all I can suggest is please be patient.  Believe me, the wait is worth it.

We've seen this song and dance many times over the years - whether it be over the recent battles with AMC Networks or ESPN.  In retrospect, this carriage dispute should have been expected, and I suspect it will not be resolved until the very last moment.

In the meantime, hopefully the fine folks from throughout social media (myself included) will share whatever they can to bridge the divide.

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Earlier today, Time Warner's PR group sent along some photos from last night's show, so I figured I should pass them along here.  Check them out below.

(Hershiser and Magic on Access SportsNet: Dodgers, photo credit: Jerod Harris/Getty Images)

(Magic as a guest on Access SportsNet: Dodgers, photo credit: Jerod Harris/Getty Images)

(Hershiser and Hartung on Access SportsNet: Dodgers, photo credit: Jerod Harris/Getty Images)

(SVP TWC Sports, News and Local Programming Dan Finnerty, SVP/GM TWC Sports Regional Networks Mark Shuken, EVP, Los Angeles Dodgers Bob Wolfe, Owner/Partner, Los Angeles Dodgers Peter Guber and President, TWC Sports, News and Local Programming David Rone celebrate the launch of SportsNet LA. Photo Credit: Jerod Harris/Getty Images)

(SportsNet LA and Dodger executives watched the SportsNet LA’s ‘Go Live’ moment in El Segundo. 
Photo Credit: Jerod Harris/Getty Images)

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A Friday Dodgers News Dump - Parking Rate Increase, Wireless and TV Programming

I've heard about a phenomena called a Friday News Dump.  Usually, it's something an organization does top hide some dire news that they want folks to quickly forgot.  So, they announce bad news on Friday in hopes that spending the weekend with family will cause your memory to fade.

Well, we got a plethora of news regarding the Dodgers today, but it's not exactly all bad.  So, I hardly consider this your typical Friday News Dump.  Still, it's notable that news like a parking lot price increase (even one fairly minor, for now) would come out on Friday, and on a Valentine's Day.

Also, there's news below related to some improved wireless services at Dodger Stadium and Dodgers programming at SportsNet LA.

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I Should Have Known

When they charged $20 for general parking at the recent Stadium Series hockey game at Dodger Stadium, I should have known that it would be an obvious sign that a price increase was due for Baseball games.

All morning, there had been rumblings about a parking increase, and now word of that is officially out.  Don't worry, though, it's really not as bad as you might think... Or, is it

General admission parking at the gate will cost fans $15.00; which is a $5.00 increase over last season.  But, the parking price remains $10.00 if you purchase parking in advance.  Also, the Dodgers also will offer premium parking in advance at $35 and for $50 at the gate.  You can go here to purchase parking tickets.

Per a Dodger press release:

The Dodgers are continuing to study other transportation improvements and parking enhancements to improve ingress and egress and will have a few new initiatives in place at the opening of the season. Among the changes for the 2014 season are:

• Restriping the many lots, modifying circulation patterns and improved on-site signage.
• Added bike racks to encourage bicycles as an alternative mode of transportation to Dodger Stadium
• Enhance and promotion of the use of public bus on Sunset Boulevard and better marketing at the Metro Gold Line Chinatown and Red Line Hollywood Stations
• More and clearer way-finding signage directing traffic to underutilized gates
• Additional on-site parking spaces

"The fan experience is of paramount importance to the Dodgers," said Dodgers' President & CEO Stan Kasten. "We have been examining ways to improve our traffic flow at Dodger Stadium. We feel one of the best ways to expedite movement through the auto gates is for fans to have a prepaid parking pass when they arrive at Dodger Stadium. Transaction times will be improved."

They claim that this is done to tackle a bottleneck that occurs when cars are trying to get into the stadium.  So, raising prices at the gate, or forcing folks to purchase lower cost tickets online, will naturally reduce that aspect of the Dodger game traffic headache.

Per Eric Stephen at True Blue LA:

"The main bottleneck we have is transaction time at the gate. Last season in September we experimented with free parking for carpools, but it didn't have any impact at all," Dodgers CEO and president Stan Kasten said on Friday. "We are encouraging as many fans as possible to get your parking passes in advance, either online or on your phone on the way to the ballpark. If you do that, we can zip you right through.

Kasten also goes on to say that this is not a scheme to generate greater revenue.

On the face of it, these are reasonable assertions.  Basic economics tell you that there is a price point that forces folks to respond in a particular manner.  In this case, raising the prices at the gate should have the effect of forcing fans to carpool.  Likewise, fans paying for parking ahead of time should also theoretically be more likely to plan ahead for carpooling.  Both economic motivations could very well reduce the number of cars and cause a zero-sum gain, as result.

My concern, though, is that it won't stop there.  As evidenced by the recent hockey game and $20 general parking prices charged, I suspect we will eventually see rates increase another $5.00 across the board.

After all, the real traffic headache is not getting into the stadium (which this price increase is meant to address), it's getting out.  So, I expect that once this rate increase is accepted by the masses a new rate increase will be instituted thereafter.

When that happens, they will say it should lower the car count and make getting home after the game easier.  Oh... and by the way, this is not a scheme to generate greater revenue.

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Wireless services has just taken a small step forward.  Apple's iBeacon technologyhas just been installed at Dodger Stadium and Petco Park (Padres).  This is great news for iPhone users who have downloaded MLB.com At The Ballpark app.

Per a press release:

MLBAM today announced it has completed installation of Apple's iBeacon technology at the first two of more than 20 Major League Baseball ballparks that will use iBeacon technology for Opening Day of the 2014 season. With 65 iBeacons affixed throughout Petco Park and Dodger Stadium, the two ballparks have become the first sports venues in the world permanently equipped with iBeacon, a technology introduced with iOS 7 that uses Bluetooth Low Energy and geofencing for micro-location awareness.

Baseball fans will be able to utilize iBeacon technology within MLB.com At The Ballpark when the award-winning app's 2014 update is released for Opening Day. Complete details on new features being developed by MLBAM for At The Ballpark, including iBeacon capabilities, will be available in March.

"This is a great addition to our over-all program to make Dodger Stadium Wi-Fi-friendly for our fans," said Lon Rosen, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Los Angeles Dodgers. "We are hoping to provide our fans come Opening Day the finest in wireless technology and connectivity. This state of the art system will greatly enhance the fan experience and the enjoyment of Dodger baseball."

Hopefully, this is a case of one small step forward, several more bigger steps forward very soon.

UPDATE: Dex at Gaslamp Ball has more background on this iBeacon technology.  Check out what he has to say here.   He notes that iBeacon is "microlocation wifi".  They'll be able to track your every move... like, literally!

That's right, whether you like it or not, this sort of technology, at is absolute core, is all about knowing exactly where your cell phone is at any given moment. Regardless of if you have the accompanying apps installed. The very fact that your phone is looking for a wi-fi signal will announce your location to the iBeacon servers every moment that you're within range.

So not only will you get the timely reminder that there's a beer cart 3 steps to your left and a place that sells the hat you were hoping to find 18 feet to your right, but you'll also be letting the Padres (and Dodgers) know exactly how long you're standing at that urinal.

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As a 24-hour Dodgers channel comes closer to reality, news should start to trickle in on the various shows and programs we should expect to find.  So naturally, the official Dodger blog Dodger Insider unveiled some information this afternoon.  Check out what they wrote here.  Below is a synopsis:

• “Backstage: Dodgers” is a weekly documentary series that will give fans true inside access to the team from the first day of Spring Training through the last pitch of the season.  It will debut on February 25th with Clayton Kershaw.
• “Access SportsNet: Dodgers” will be SportsNet LA’s signature live daily studio show.  John Hartung will host this show.
• “Leadoff LA” will air live for half an hour from the SportsNet LA studios before “Access SportsNet: Dodgers” on game days during the regular season.  
• “Dodgers Clubhouse” will air weekly all season long and cover all aspects of the club, both on and off the field.  There will be a on-on-one session with Don Mattingly by Alanna Rizzo, and it will air on Mondays.
• The interview series “Connected With…” will feature in-depth, sit-down interviews with Dodger personalities. Clayton Kershaw and Don Mattingly will be featured first.
• “Talkin’ Blue” will feature a look back at the Dodger past with Dodger legends and personalities.
• “Dodgermentary” will be 1-hour long biographies on past and present Dodgers'.

(The SportsNet LA studio, pic tweeted by @SportsNetLA)

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SportsNet LA Launches on February 25th

The channel Dodger fans have been waiting for is about to go live.  Starting on Tuesday, February 25th, SportsNet LA launches as the 24/7 home of the Dodgers.  Per a Dodgers press release, they:

will take fans behind-the-scenes of the team and offer in-depth access into the organization, providing an immersive experience with never-before-seen content and thousands of hours of comprehensive Dodger programming.

Here is what you should expect:

• The revolution will be televised.  All Dodgers Spring Training games will be on television; except for two split-squad games. That's 22 total Spring games.
• Vin Scully will call the inaugural game telecast on Wednesday, February 26 at 12:00 PM PT. 

"It is an incredible honor to have the remarkable opportunity to call the very first game on the Dodger network," said Scully. "The Dodgers' new ownership group has done a wonderful job assembling a team to make SportsNet LA what every Dodger fan deserves, a television network just for them. I'm humbled to be a part of it."

• A live daily studio show will air at 7:00 PM during Spring Training, and will be called "Access SportsNet: Dodgers".

The show will be hosted live from the SportsNet LA studios in El Segundo, CA with contributions from the SportsNet LA on-air team live in Glendale, AZ. John Hartung will lead the program, alongside longtime Dodger announcer Charley Steiner and Dodger legends Orel Hershiser and Nomar Garciaparra, with contributions from recently-retired Dodger Jerry Hairston Jr. and experienced baseball reporter Alanna Rizzo. "Access SportsNet: Dodgers" will deliver an hour of comprehensive coverage of the team, highlighting the behind-the-scenes access of the new network, while providing fans with the latest information, updates and team features.

• Another show will be called "Backstage: Dodgers", per @SportsNetLA on twitter.   It'll air every week during the season, and provide a behind-the-scenes look at the team.
• Glenn Diamond, a sports TV producer and five-time Emmy Award winner, will produce Dodger games.  He has 31 years of national Baseball production experience.

Unfortunately, Time Warner has yet to receive a go ahead from other cable or satellite networks, so there is a threat that you may not be able to watch - unless you have Time Warner already.  So, the next few weeks should be interesting as things heat up. 

I would expect a loud and visible campaign to start very soon.

(pic via @SportsNetLA on twitter)

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The Dodgers TV Channel - SportsNet LA - Opens for Business on Feb. 25th - Details Here

Throughout the winter, we received word about various signings of former Dodger players who would join the Dodgers cable channel this upcoming season.  We rejoiced at Orel Hershiser's signing, celebrated Nomar Garciaparra's return, and congratulated Jerry Hairston Jr. on his career change.  So, all we were waiting on now was information about the new channel.

I have just been notified that the new Dodgers channel, to be called SportsNet LA, will officially be going live on Tuesday, February 25, which is the day before the Dodgers first Spring Training ballgame at Camelback Ranch.

What good timing, eh?

As their press release said:

SportsNet LA will take fans behind-the-scenes and offer in-depth access into the Dodger organization, providing an immersive experience with never-before-seen content, and thousands of hours of comprehensive Dodger programming. SportsNet LA will televise 24/7 Dodger content, including live and classic games, live studio shows, numerous original programs, all with expert commentary led by the network's on-air talent team of Orel Hershiser, Nomar Garciaparra, Charley Steiner, Jerry Hairston, Alanna Rizzo and John Hartung.

Here is a pic tweeted out by the @Dodgers of the entire broadcast team.  As newest Feelin' Kinda Blue blog writer Jason Drantch said on twitter,

"Broadcast Team!  Assemble!"

You can follow SportsNet LA on twitter, here.  Also, their website is live.  Go here to see that.  The website is currently pushing fans to get in contact with their television providers to demand SportsNet LA.  No doubt we'll get upcoming stories about this or that cable/satellite provider refusing to carry the channel.  So that should be fun.

As for game broadcast, here is the lineup:

• Vin Scully will, of course, continue broadcasting all home games and road games (in Arizona and California only) on television.
• For games Scully will not be broadcasting on television, Charley Steiner and Orel Hershiser will make the call.
• On the radio, Charley Steiner and Rick Monday will do the broadcast.
• For games Steiner will be on television, Rick Monday and Nomar Garciaparra will be on the radio.
• For Spanish language radio broadcast, the team remains the same: Jaime Jarrin, Pepe Yniguez and Fernando Valenzuela.
• Jerry Hairston Jr. and Nomar Garciaparra will contribute both pre and post game Dodger coverage on television.
• Alanna Rizzo will be an in-game reporter for games broadcast on television by Steiner and Hershiser, and be a host for both pre and post game shows on television.
• John Hartung will be in the studio for SportsNet LA, anchoring the network's live studio shows.

BTW, Hartung was today's newest announced broadcast signing.  He was formerly with KABC-TV and a sports and news anchor.

So, there you have it.  Welcome your 2014 Dodger broadcasters.

Here's what some of them had to say on twitter.

Jerry Hairston Jr.

Looking forward to being part of a very talented team @SportsNetLA and backing the Boys in Blue. #Dodgers #LA #MLB
— Jerry Hairston, Jr.  (@Therealjhair) January 22, 2014

John Hartung

Thrilled and honored to be a part of the @Dodgers broadcast team on @SportsNetLA with @OrelHershiser @Therealjhair @Nomar5 @alannarizzo!!
— John Hartung (@_JohnHartung) January 23, 2014

Alanna Rizzo

It is officially, official. I can now say I am very excited to be one of the newest members of the @Dodgers organization and @SportsNetLA.
— Alanna Rizzo (@alannarizzo) January 22, 2014

Orel Hershiser

It's great to officially be back in Blue! I'm thrilled to be joining the best broadcast team in sports. @SportsNetLA is only a month away.
— Orel Hershiser (@OrelHershiser) January 22, 2014

Jaime Jarrin

It is a great honor to be a member of the new team of announcers x Dodgers-SportsNetLA.It is a historic picture x posterity because is 1st.
— Jaime Jarrín (@JaimeJarrin) January 22, 2014

And here's a video from the Dodgers introducing this new team.

Video Link:

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