MLB, T-Mobile 5G-Powered Cameras For World Series BP Could Alter How We See Sports Forever

A partnership between Major League Baseball and T-Mobile for 5G-powered broadcast quality cameras on players during batting practice at the World Series is likely a precursor to seeing sports from the perspective of players like we’ve never seen before.

The deal reached between the two today will be for the World Series and see 5G-powered “BatterCams” that will be mounted on caps of players and coaches and allow for broadcast-quality views in real-time as players take BP. There will also be 360-degree T-Mobile 5G “FieldCams” that will allow for immersive views.

MLB Network will exclusively produce the pre-game content.

While this is just for batting practice, the use of 4K quality cameras being transmitted wirelessly via 5G will almost assuredly make its way into games across the sports spectrum allowing the technology to bring fans closer to the action in the future. For the time being, the partnership between T-Mobile and MLB will be exclusively for the special pre-game live-stream before Game One of the World Series on Tuesday via MLB.com, Twitch, MLB’s social media channels, the league’s MLB mobile app, MLB.tv, and the MLB VR app on Oculus., as well as T-Mobile’s Beyond the Bases page.

Game 1 of the 2020 World Series will air Tuesday, Oct. 2oth on FOX at 7:30 p.m. ET (first pitch at 8:09 p.m. ET). All games on radio will air nationally via ESPN Radio.

The financial terms of the deal were not revealed by MLB or T-Mobile.

 “Connectivity has never been more important – to connect people to family, work, school … and now America’s game,” said Neville Ray, President of Technology at T-Mobile. “5G will change the way we live, work, and play. A broadcast like this has never been done before, and it offers a glimpse at how wireless connectivity is set to transform the way we watch and interact with live sporting events and more.”

As is often the case with Major League Baseball, they conduct trial runs of technology to see how it will work with the players, broadcast partners, and ultimately, fans. Examples have been mic’ing-up players to hear them in-game, and most recently the use of cameras in the bases as was done by TBS during the ALCS.

So, could we see 5G wireless 4K cameras on players and in other ways in the near future? It’s highly likely as networks and leagues look to retain fan interest and keep them from switching to other content.

 “We are always exploring new ways to increase access to the game and players, bringing them closer to our fans, and this year that is more important than ever,” said Noah Garden, MLB Chief Revenue Officer. “Throughout our partnership, T-Mobile has continually brought innovation and creativity to their MLB promotions and this 5GBP streaming show is yet another great example of that. We’re looking forward to giving our fans this new perspective on the Fall Classic thanks to T-Mobile.”