Fang's Bites

Vin Scully & The Honky Tonk Man

During tonight’s Giants-Dodgers Opening Night game, ESPN showed a cutaway of the great Vin Scully calling a rare radio-only game. Whenever Vin calls a Dodger game, he does a TV-radio simulcast in the first three and last three innings. The middle innings are TV only. With ESPN doing tonight’s game, Vin is relegated to radio.

Well, the cutaway showed Vin in the booth calling the game, but in the background is a picture of the one and only Honky Tonk Man, a wrestler in the old WWF and WCW. That’s absolutely hilarious.

The picture is courtesy of Ryan Sharrow of the Baltimore Business Journal. I don’t know why or how the Honky Tonk Man crossed paths with Vin, but Scully’s legend grows even more with the picture in the background. And it’s as clear as day. I’ve been laughing hysterically since seeing the picture on Twitter. Classic. You’re an American treasure, Vin. And so is the Honky Tonk Man.

UPDATE, 9:52 p.m.: Unfortunately, we discover that the picture behind Vin Scully is not his. Jim Alexander of the Riverside (CA) Press-Enterprise gives us the truth.

Normally, Scully sits in the TV booth at Dodger Stadium, but since ESPN is occupying it tonight, Vin is in the radio booth. Oh well. It was nice to think that Vin and the Honky Tonk Man had somehow crossed paths.

NESN’s Executive Vice President of Programming Leaves

This happened late this afternoon.

First tweeted by Bill Doyle of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette and confirmed by Fang’s Bites, NESN’s Executive President for Programming & Executive Producer Joel Feld is leaving the regional sports network. No details are given as to why Feld is leaving now.

He has led NESN through its 25th Anniversary, made changes to Red Sox and Bruins coverage and made moves to bring in more non-sports programming.

We have statements from Feld and NESN President Sean McGrail on the departure.

NESN Statement:
Joel Feld has decided to leave NESN after more than 5 years of service as the network’s executive vice president of programming and executive producer.

“Over the past five years Joel has made significant contributions to NESN’s growth and success,” said Sean McGrail, NESN’s President and CEO. “We are very grateful for the passion and leadership he brought to work every day and wish him the best in his future endeavors.”

A search will begin immediately to identify a replacement.

Statement from Joel Feld:
“Leaving NESN is one of the most difficult career moves I’ve ever had to make. The talent and production team – behind and in front of the camera – are the best in the business. The standards and work ethic they bring to the office every day made my job a whole lot easier and more fun than I ever could have imagined when I came to Boston in 2005. I’m especially grateful to the Boston Red Sox and Boston Bruins organizations who provided me a professional opportunity that people dream of their entire lives. I will treasure the experience and good memories for the rest of my career and wish continued success for NESN and all the great people I’ve had the privilege to work beside.”

I had the opportunity to speak with Feld for the Sports Media Weekly
Podcast and he was quite personable. I wish him luck on his next venture.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

NBC Sports Group Goes All Out For Final 8 Days of the NHL Regular Season

The Group consisting of NBC Sports and Versus will combine for eight games in the last eight days of the NHL regular season. That’s certainly one way to close things out. The coverage includes a doubleheader on Monday night.

NBC SPORTS GROUP CLOSES OUT NHL REGULAR SEASON WITH EIGHT GAMES IN EIGHT DAYS ON NBC & VERSUS

Current Eastern Conference No. 1 Flyers host No. 7 Rangers in Possible First-Round Playoff Preview This Sunday on NBC
Blackhawks & Red Wings close out VERSUS & NBC regular seasons with home-and-home series

NEW YORK – March 31, 2011 – The NBC Sports Group will conclude its 2010-11 NHL regular-season coverage (90 games) with eight games in eight days on both NBC and VERSUS, beginning this Sunday.

The Eastern Conference’s current No. 1 seed, the Philadelphia Flyers (102 points), host the No. 7 (tie) New York Rangers (87) at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia this Sunday at 12:30 p.m. ET on NBC’s “NHL Game of the Week.” Both teams are fighting for playoff positioning with the Rangers currently in a precarious tie with Buffalo for the seventh playoff spot in the conference and the Flyers looking to hold on to home-ice advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs. NBCSports.com will also stream the game live.

Mike “Doc” Emrick (play-by-play), Eddie Olczyk (analyst) and Pierre McGuire (inside-the-glass analyst) will call the action on NBC. McGuire will pull double duty as he joins NBC Sports’ analyst Mike Milbury in the studio.

VERSUS will broadcast six games in five days beginning with a doubleheader on Monday (Bruins at Rangers; Kings at Sharks) featuring three teams jockeying for playoff positioning and the Rangers fighting for their postseason lives. The defending Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks, also fighting for their playoff lives as the current No. 8 seed in the Western Conference, and Red Wings, currently No. 2 in the West, conclude both the VERSUS and NBC regular seasons with a home-and-home series on Friday, April 8 and Sunday, April 10, respectively.

UPCOMING NBC SPORTS GROUP NHL SCHEDULE (all times ET):

Sunday
N.Y. Rangers @ Philadelphia 12:30 p.m. NBC

Monday
Boston @ N.Y. Rangers 7:30 p.m. VERSUS
Los Angeles @ San Jose 10 p.m. VERSUS

Tuesday
New Jersey @ Pittsburgh 7:30 p.m. VERSUS

Wednesday
St. Louis @ Chicago 8 p.m. VERSUS

Thursday
Atlanta @ N.Y. Rangers 7 p.m. VERSUS

Friday (4/8)
Chicago @ Detroit 7:30 p.m. VERSUS

Sunday (4/10)
Detroit @ Chicago 12:30 p.m. NBC

That’s it for the afternoon.

MLB on TBS Returns with a Texas-Sized Showdown

This Sunday, TBS is back with a full slate of regular season games. Ernie Johnson, Jr. will be behind the mic once again. Other announcers involved during the regular season will be Brian Anderson of the Milwaukee Brewers and Dick Stockton. On Sunday, MLB on TBS debuts with the Boston Red Sox taking on defending American League champs, Texas. Here are the details.

“Sunday MLB on TBS” Returns with a Showdown Between the Defending American League Champion Texas Rangers and Boston Red Sox

Sunday MLB on TBS” returns on April 3 with a match-up featuring Carl Crawford, Adrian Gonzalez and the new-look Boston Red Sox visiting 2010 A.L. MVP Josh Hamilton and the defending A.L. Champion Texas Rangers at 2 p.m. (ET).  Clay Buchholz is scheduled to start for the Red Sox against the Rangers’ probable starter Matt Harrison. Calling the action will be Ernie Johnson (play-by-play) and Dennis Eckersley (analyst).

“Sunday MLB on TBS” includes match-ups on TBS every Sunday afternoon throughout the regular season.  The network also will exclusively televise the MLB All-Star Selection Show on Sunday, July 3.  Additionally, beginning in October TBS will once again provide exclusive coverage of the four Division Series and the National League Championship Series (NLCS).

TBS has served as the exclusive home of Major League Baseball’s Division Series (DS) and one League Championship Series (LCS) since 2007, has broadcasted MLB games for more than 30 years and was home of Atlanta Braves from 1977-2007.

SUNDAY MLB ON TBS SCHEDULE:

Thu., March 31
2 p.m. (ET)	Boston Red Sox @ Texas Rangers
	Ernie Johnson (play-by-play) and Dennis Eckersley (analyst)

SUNDAY MLB ON TBS UPCOMING SCHEDULE:

Sun., April 10
1:30 p.m. (ET)	Philadelphia Phillies @ Atlanta Braves
	Ernie Johnson (play-by-play), Ron Darling (analyst) and John Smoltz (analyst)

Sun., April 17
1:30 p.m. (ET)	Toronto Blue Jays @ Boston Red Sox
	Announcers: Brian Anderson (play-by-play) and Dennis Eckersley (analyst)

And that’s it.

ESPN’s Coverage Plans For the 2011 Women’s Final Four

On Sunday, ESPN will have complete coverage of the NCAA Women’s Final Four^® live from Indianapolis, IN. Texas A&M-Stanford and Notre Dame-UConn will be the games that will be aired live on ESPN.

Dave O’Brien and Doris Burke will call the games. Rebecca Lobo and Holly Rowe will be on the sidelines for ESPN.

Hosting the event will be Trey Wingo and he’ll be joined by Kara Lawson and the very lovely, Carolyn Peck.

Here are the details for ESPN’s coverage of the Women’s Final Four^®.

2011 ESPN Women’s NCAA Final Four Fact Sheet

16^th Year of Exclusive Coverage – April 3 & 5 from Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis

ESPN’s NCAA Women’s Final Four Coverage

National Semifinals – Sunday, April 3: No. 2 seed Texas A&M vs. No. 1 seed Stanford at 7 p.m. ET, and No. 2 seed Notre Dame vs. No. 1 seed Connecticut at 9 p.m.

National Championship – Tuesday, April 5: Winner of Semifinal Games at 8:30 p.m.
* – All three games available in high definition and simulcast on ESPN3.com and ESPN Mobile TV

Final Four Storylines

• 16^th year of exclusive coverage on ESPN; ninth year covering all 63 games;
• ESPN3.com will continue its simulcast with full coverage of the postgame celebration, trophy presentation and the net cutting;
• An EStrator telestrator system will be in place and run by Brenda VanLengen – a contributing announcer on ESPN women’s basketball coverage. The system is used on Monday Night Football and during NBA telecasts;
• Expanded access from the NCAA to enhance the telecasts, including pregame locker room access, in-game head coach interviews and halftime player interviews;
• The games and studio shows will use 24 cameras, comprising 20 game and four studio cameras:

• Three robotic cameras
• Two jibs
• Two 180fps slo-mos
• One Steadicam

• Trey Wingo, Kara Lawson and Carolyn Peck on set at Conseco Fieldhouse during ESPN’s studio coverage of the semifinals Sunday and the National Championship Tuesday;
• Dave O’Brien returns for his second year at the Women’s Final Four as the play-by-play announcer and will be joined by veteran analyst Doris Burke;
• Rebecca Lobo returns to the sideline after spending the first, second and regional rounds as an analyst – marking the first time she worked the regionals as an analyst instead of a reporter;
• Holly Rowe returns for her sixth year as a sideline reporter and Bob Holtzman will provide updates for SportsCenter and ESPNEWS live from Indianapolis throughout the weekend;
• ESPN.com’s Shannon Cross will be the official social media correspondent for the Women’s Final Four providing poll questions, sharing comments from ESPN.com’s live chat room and tweets from the viewers:
• It marks the first time ESPN.com has utilized its live discussions during a telecast for cross-platform integration
• Featured segments on all four Final Four teams will be aired throughout the weekend including:

• Notre Dame’s Skylar Diggins in a hometown piece from South Bend, Ind.
• A look at Connecticut’s Maya Moore and her illustrious career

ESPN Final Four Commentators

Studio Team
Trey Wingo (Sixth-year host): Wingo joined ESPN in 1997 as a news anchor and has become one of ESPN’s most versatile studio hosts who primarily works on NFL studio shows, while also covering events such as the NFL Draft and U.S. and British Open for golf. He is also a regular contributor to ESPN Radio programs and digital platforms. Wingo is a graduate of Baylor University.

Kara Lawson (Sixth-year analyst): Lawson is in her eighth year as an analyst for ESPN. She works women’s college basketball games and as a studio analyst. She most recently added men’s college basketball to her duties. Lawson played college ball for the University of Tennessee, led the Lady Vols to three straight Final Fours and was a two-time All-American. Lawson won a gold medal with the 2008 U.S. Women’s Basketball Olympic Team in Beijing and is in her ninth season with the WNBA – winning a league title in 2005 and currently playing for the Connecticut Sun.

Carolyn Peck (Third-year analyst): Peck originally joined ESPN in 2001 as a basketball analyst for both college and professional, including men’s and women’s college basketball, WNBA and NBA. She continues as an analyst for women’s college hoops and the WNBA as well as a studio analyst. Peck won the 1999 NCAA Championship title as the head coach at Purdue University – becoming the first African-American coach in women’s basketball to do so. She is also the former head coach at the University of Florida and the WNBA’s Orlando Miracle. Peck was a student-athlete at Vanderbilt University.

Game Commentators
Doris Burke (Sixth-year game analyst): Burke began covering basketball for ESPN in 1991, and currently is an analyst for men’s and women’s college basketball and the NBA, as well as a sideline reporter for select telecasts. She also handles the WNBA as an analyst and studio host. Burke was a women’s basketball player at Providence College.

Dave O’Brien (Second-year play-by-play): O’Brien joined ESPN in 2002 as a play-by-play announcer working Major League Baseball, college basketball and the NBA telecasts. In 2010, O’Brien added the Women’s Final Four to his announcing responsibilities. He is also the radio play-by-play announcer for the Boston Red Sox. A Boston native, O’Brien attended Syracuse University.

Rebecca Lobo (Fourth-year reporter): Lobo joined ESPN in 2004 as a WNBA and women’s college basketball analyst and reporter. Lobo won an NCAA Championship in 1995 with the University of Connecticut where she was a National Player of the Year and an All-American. In addition, she won a gold medal with the 1996 U.S. Women’s Basketball Olympic Team during the Atlanta Olympics and played in the WNBA for seven seasons.

Holly Rowe (Sixth-year reporter): Rowe began working ESPN telecasts in 1995, and joined on a regular-basis in 1998. Rowe primarily covers college football, men’s basketball and softball as a reporter, as well as the NBA and WNBA. Rowe has also provided play-by-play commentary for women’s college basketball, softball and volleyball. Rowe is a graduate of the University of Utah.

SportsCenter/ESPNEWSReporter
Bob Holtzman: Holtzman joined ESPN in 2000 as a reporter, primarily handling stories featured in the network’s award-winning news and information franchise – SportsCenter, Sunday NFL Countdown, Monday Night Countdown, Outside the Lines, Baseball Tonight, NBA shows, ESPNEWS and others. Holtzman was graduated from Kansas University in 1993 with degrees in journalism and psychology.

Final Four Specials
NCAA Women’s Final Four Special: The 30-minute Women’s Final Four preview show hosted by Wingo, Lawson and Peck from Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis will precede the national semifinals Sunday, April 3, at 6:30 p.m.

The Experts: NCAA Women’s Championship Special: The hour-long round-table studio show Tuesday, April 5, at 1 p.m. on ESPNU will field Wingo, Lawson, Peck, Lobo, Burke and a guest coach to be announced at a later date.

Crunch Time: Women’s Tournament: The two-hour show will air Tuesday, April 5, at 2 p.m. on ESPNU and will revisit the last few minutes of the best and most exciting games of the NCAA Championship.

College Basketball Live: Women’s National Championship Special: The 90-minute special hosted by Cara Capuano, Abby Waner and LaChina Robinson on Tuesday, April 5, at 6 p.m. on ESPNU will highlight and preview the Women’s National Championship game.

NCAA Women’s Championship Special: ESPN will begin its National Championship game coverage with an hour-long preview special, also hosted by Wingo, Lawson and Peck, from Conseco Fieldhouse Tuesday, April 6, at 7:30 p.m.

ESPN.com Women’s Tournament Challenge
Several interesting statistics highlight ESPN.com’s Women’s Tournament Challenge and the teams that advanced to the Final Four.

• 1.88 percent of the brackets selected entire Final Four;
• 11.7 percent of brackets had Texas A&M in the Final Four, while 22 percent correctly picked Notre Dame. Texas A&M and Notre Dame were the most popular two-seeds to reach the Final Four, although 3.1 percent of the brackets had both the Irish and the Aggies in the Final Four (and 0.2 percent have them meeting in the title game);
• Most users had Connecticut and Stanford, as 74 percent of all brackets had both teams in the Final Four with 31.1 percent of brackets picking them to meet in the finals;
• There was 89.6 percent of the brackets that correctly picked Connecticut to reach the Final Four, and is the pick to win it all in 51.5 percent of brackets;
• Stanford was correctly picked to reach the Final Four in 79.6 percent of brackets, second most of all teams, but they were the third-most popular pick to win it all at 13.9 percent (behind the 16.2 percent for Baylor);
• President Obama is in the 80.4 percentile, getting two Final Four teams (Connecticut & Stanford);
• Percentage of brackets picking potential national champions:

• Connecticut: 51.5 percent
• Stanford: 13.9 percent
• Notre Dame: 1.2 percent
• Texas A&M: 1.0 percent

ESPN Multiplatform Coverage
ESPN.com will offer on-site reports, features and video analysis from writers Graham Hays, Mechelle Voepel and Charlie Creme, as well as Cover It Live applications during all three Final Four games.

ESPN Mobile will cover the Women’s Final Four on the industry-leading mobile Web sports site, on-demand video highlights and analysis via the ESPN Bracket Bound app and ESPN Alerts to deliver score updates.

espnW, a new platform to serve, inform and inspire female athletes and fans, will continue to highlight stories surrounding the 2011 NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship and the Final Four.

• A first-person perspective from Notre Dame sophomore guard Skylar Diggins, as well as on Twitter (@skydigg4);
• espnW contributor Jane McManus revisits Maya Moore’s final run in the NCAA Championship as she solidifies her legacy as one of the best female college basketball players of all time;
• A feature by contributor Michelle Smith on how the personalities of the Final Four teams reflect their coaches;
• Stories on the top five storylines of the Final Four, players to watch and what to expect from each team.

SportsCenter and ESPNEWS will offer in-depth analysis of the NCAA Women’s Final Four teams from Doris Burke, Kara Lawson, and Carolyn Peck; and previews of the Final Four matchups beginning Friday, April 1. Comprehensive coverage will also include highlights and daily reporter updates from Indianapolis, along with Final Four team news conferences. Holtzman will report live from Conseco Fieldhouse.

ESPN Radio will provide live score updates on its SportsCenter reports during the Women’s Final Four, and present interviews with potential newsmakers in Indianapolis.

ESPN International Networks will provide coverage of the national semifinals along with the title game to fans on ESPN Pac Rim, ESPN 2 Australia, ESPN Mid East, ESPN Brazil HD, ESPN Latin North, ESPN Latin South, ESPN Caribbean and ESPN America (Europe).

ESPNFrontRow.com debuted March 30 and will offer behind-the-scenes views from ESPN’s coverage of the NCAA Championship semifinals and finals.

ESPN Classic will reair several memorable NCAA women’s basketball games – all featuring Connecticut and/or Tennessee dating back to 1995.

ESPN Classic NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship Schedule

Date	Time (ET)	Game
Sun, Apr 3	Noon	1996 NCAA Women’s National Semifinal: Connecticut vs. Tennessee
	2 p.m.	1997 NCAA Midwest Regional Final: Connecticut vs. Tennessee
	4 p.m.	2002 NCAA Women’s National Semifinal: Connecticut vs. Tennessee
Tue, Apr 5	9 a.m.	1995 NCAA National Championship: Connecticut vs. Tennessee
	11 a.m.	1996 NCAA National Championship: Connecticut vs. Tennessee
	1 p.m.	1998 NCAA National Championship: Louisiana Tech vs. Tennessee
	3 p.m.	2004 NCAA National Championship: Connecticut vs. Tennessee
	5 p.m.	2010 NCAA National Championship: Connecticut vs. Stanford

NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship Women’s Final Four Schedule (Schedule subject to change)

Date	Time (ET)	Telecast	Networks
Sun, Apr 3	6:30 p.m.	NCAA Women’s Final Four Special	ESPN / ESPN HD
	7 p.m.	National Semifinal:  No. 2 Texas A&M vs. No. 1 Stanford	ESPN / ESPN HD / ESPN3.com /  ESPN Mobile TV
	9 p.m.	National Semifinal:  No. 2 Notre Dame vs. No. 1 Connecticut	ESPN / ESPN HD / ESPN3.com /  ESPN Mobile TV
Tue, Apr 5	1 p.m.	The Experts: NCAA Women’s   Championship Special	ESPNU / ESPNU HD
	2 p.m.	Crunch Time: Women’s Tournament	ESPNU / ESPNU HD
	5 p.m.	The Experts: NCAA Women’s   Championship Special	ESPNU / ESPNU HD
	6 p.m.	College Basketball Live:   Women’s National Championship Special	ESPNU / ESPNU HD
	7:30 p.m.	NCAA Women’s Championship Special	ESPN / ESPN HD
	8:30 p.m.	National Championship	ESPN / ESPN HD / ESPN3.com /  ESPN Mobile TV

And we’re done.

Thursday’s Links Are Here … Finally

Been doing some work and also keeping an eye on the Detroit-Yankees game online. It’s been a joy watching games online. It has been a lifesaver when I’ve been at work bogged down with stuff in the office. And MLB.TV is free for Apple iOS users via the iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch.

Anyway, let’s do some links.

John Ourand at the Sports Business Daily mentions that ESPN has filed suit in court his week against Conference USA for not bargaining its TV rights in good faith and awarding them to Fox instead.

Dan Fogarty at SportsGrid is calling MLB’s “Always Epic” ad campaign an “Epic Fail”. I have yet to figure out what the ad with San Francisco Giants closer Brian Wilson is all about.

However, SportsGrid’s Glenn Davis is amused at the new SportsCenter ad also featuring Brian Wilson.

Sheldon Spencer at ESPN’s Front Row talks about the launch of the corporate blog.

Todd Spangler of Multichannel News explains why ESPN is not included in the Time Warner Cable iPad app.

Anthony Crupi of Mediaweek notes that MSG Network has reupped with the MLS’ New York Red Bulls for another three years.

Kunur Patel at Advertising Age says a sponsor is coming through to allow Apple devices to have free access to MLB.TV for a month.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell says the NFL’s TV partners could stand to be the biggest loser of any prolonged lockout.

Alex Weprin at SportsNewser notes that SB Nation has launched a new baseball-only blogging site.

At TVNewser, Chris Ariens says ESPN was among those honored for a prestigious Peabody Award for its 30 for 30 documentary series. HBO also received a Peabody for Magic & Bird.

The Boston Herald’s Jessica Heslam notes that two local sports radio stations brought in good ad revenue from last year.

Brian Stelter of the New York Times discusses ESPN’s Josh Elliot’s move to Good Morning America.

Newsday’s Neil Best notes that YES and DirecTV’s agreement runs out on Friday if a new carriage accord is not reached soon.

Pete Dougherty at the Albany Times Union also writes about the YES/DirecTV deadline.

Ken Schott from the Schenectady Gazette notes that a local radio station is bumping the Yankees on Saturday in favor of the Final Four^®? What happened to Most Favored Nation status for baseball on the radio?

Ken says a local NBC sports anchor is heading to Augusta to call The Masters^® on DirecTV.

Ken McMillan from the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record talks about MSG Network bringing the New York Red Bulls back into the fold.

Cindy Boren at the Washington Post’s Early Lead blog says a federal appeals court ruled against the DC NFL Team stating it must provide captions of all song lyrics and text public service announcements at the Stadium formerly known as Jack Kent Cooke for its hearing-impaired fans.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner notes that it’s MLB Opening Day not only for the sport and its fans, but for TV as well.

Kristi E. Swartz, Larry Hartstein and Alexis Stevens of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution report on former Hawks star, current vice president and TV analyst Dominique Wilkins getting attacked by a former NBA referee following his broadcast spot last night.

Bob Wolfley from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel notes that Fox’s MLB analysts are bullish on the St. Louis Cardinals.

Ed Sherman with Crain’s Chicago Business says the early start of the MLB season means a busy time at Wrigley Field and the Park formerly known as Comiskey.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News talks with announcers, young and old, local and national, about what Dodgers voice Vin Scully means to them.

Sports Media Watch says ESPN NBA analyst Jalen Rose has apologized for getting arrested earlier this month on DUI charges.

At Puck The Media, Steve Lepore finds the tentative Stanley Cup Finals TV schedule for NBC/Versus.

The NFL Chick pays tribute to women in sportscasting.

Cee Angi at Aerys Sports’ Essence of Baseball site gets on the MLB Fan Cave for reaching to the lowest common denominator.

Dave Kohl at Major League Programs likes seeing MLB Opening Day and the Final Four finally separated.

And that’s where we’ll end the links for today.

CBS/Turner Announce Coverage Plans for 2011 NCAA Final Four

Just received this from the CBS/Turner collaborative regarding this Saturday’s Final Four^®. This is the first year that Turner will have a hand in the coverage and an extensive pregame show will be aired on truTV before CBS’ coverage starts at 4 p.m. Eastern. Then the games will air, Butler-VCU at 6:09 p.m. then Kentucky-UConn at 8:49 p.m. or 40 minutes after the conclusion of the first game.

Jim Nantz, Clark Kellogg and Steve Kerr will team up to call the Final Four^®. Tracy Wolfson will work the sidelines.

Greg Gumbel will host from Reliant Stadium in Houston. He’ll be joined by Greg Anthony, Charles Barkley, Seth Davis and Kenny “The Jet” Smith.

We also have several features you’ll see on the Final Four Show which includes David Letterman which is always good to see. Your coverage plans in complete detail are below.

CBS SPORTS AND TURNER SPORTS’ “ROAD TO THE FINAL FOUR” TRAVELS TO HOUSTON FOR CBS SPORTS’ 30^th CONSECUTIVE YEAR OF EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE OF NCAA^® MEN’S FINAL FOUR ON SATURDAY, APRIL 2

Connecticut, Kentucky, Butler and VCU Vie for College Basketball’s National Championship

Connecticut, Kentucky, Butler and VCU are on the road to Houston as CBS Sports and Turner Sports provide exclusive coverage of the 2011 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship and Final Four.  For the 30^th consecutive year, CBS Sports will broadcast live the national semi-final games on Saturday, April 2 (6:00-11:00 PM, ET) and the National Championship game on Monday, April 4 (9:00 PM, ET-conclusion) from Reliant Stadium.

Saturday’s Final Four features Butler versus VCU, with tip-off scheduled for 6:09 PM, ET. Forty minutes after the game concludes, Connecticut takes on Kentucky to determine the final participant in Monday night’s Championship game. Jim Nantz, Clark Kellogg and Steve Kerr call the games along with Tracy Wolfson serving as reporter. Nantz will be covering his 26^th Final Four and National Championship, Kellogg will be working his third, and Kerr joins Nantz and Kellogg to call his first Final Four and National Championship.

On Saturday, April 2 (3:00-4:00 PM, ET) “Infiniti NCAA Tip-Off” starts the day’s coverage on truTV. Leading in to the semi-final games, THE FINAL FOUR SHOW (4:00-6:00 PM, ET) on CBS with Greg Gumbel, Greg Anthony, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Seth Davis features tournament highlights, analysis of the four participating teams and interviews with coaches and players. Included in the broadcast are features on:

* Matt Howard, Butler – Senior forward Matt Howard embodies Butler basketball.  The three-time Academic All-America has been a leader in the Bulldogs Final Four runs the past two years. The values he exhibits on the court and within the Butler community were instilled in him growing up in rural Connersville, Indiana as the eighth of 10 children.  The Final Four Show visits with Howard and those closest to him as he prepares for the culmination of his storied collegiate career. Alanna Campbell produces.

* Kemba Walker, Connecticut - A first-team All-America and native of the Bronx, N.Y., Kemba Walker is the heart and soul of the Connecticut Huskies.  Walker has led his team to nine straight wins since the end of the regular-season, including five wins in five days to capture the Big East Conference Championship. The Final Four Show sits down with Walker and his mother, Andrea, and learns something special about this NCAA Tournament star. Jeff St. Arromand produces.

* Kentucky - It was only two years ago that Kentucky didn’t make the NCAA Tournament, and after reaching the Elite Eight last season, five Kentucky players left for the NBA, all first-round picks.  Other teams might have had to rebuild, but head coach John Calipari has the Wildcats in their first Final Four since 1998, thanks to the leadership of senior Josh Harrelson, juniors DeAndre Liggins and Darius Miller, along with a talented trio of freshmen.  Sarah Rinaldi produces.

* VCU Confidential – From the first-ever FIRST FOUR to their first-ever Final Four, the VCU Rams are enjoying a historic tournament run. The feature captures Head Coach Shaka Smart and his team behind-the-scenes as the Rams prepare to take on Butler, and a chance to advance to the National Championship game. 

* A Coaching Bond - While working together at Florida to build the Gators’ program into a national powerhouse, Head Coach Billy Donovan and his assistants, John Pelphrey and Anthony Grant, forged a bond as colleagues and close friends. Their relationship grew stronger as they supported each other while coping with shared grief through a series of personal tragedies. Sarah Rinaldi produces.

* John Wooden - Known as “The Wizard of Westwood,” legendary UCLA men’s basketball coach John Wooden stands as one of the most revered and successful college basketball coaches in history. Wooden led his Bruins to 10 NCAA Championships in 12 years. Wooden was more than just a coach, as he projected a unique vision and perspective on life that transcended sports. As a special tribute to Coach Wooden, who passed away last June, this feature looks back at some of the timeless inspirational wisdom he passed on. Charlie Bloom produces.

* David Letterman Breaks down the Bracket with Bill Raftery - As anyone who filled out a bracket this tournament knows, there probably weren’t too many people who successfully chose the Final Four teams. David Letterman puts his unique spin on March Madness, and is joined by CBS Sports’ Bill Raftery. Deb Gelman produces.

Bob Dekas, coordinating producer of CBS Sports’ NCAA basketball coverage, produces the 2011 Final Four and Bob Fishman directs. Eric Mann produces the pre- and post-game and halftime programs, and Bob Matina directs. Harold Bryant is Vice President, Production, CBS Sports.

CBS SPORTS AND TURNER SPORTS 2011 NCAA BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP BROADCAST SCHEDULE

Sat., April 2

truTV: 3:00-4:00 PM – NCAA Tip-Off

CBS: 4:00-6:00 PM – THE FINAL FOUR SHOW

CBS: 6:00-11:00 PM – NCAA MEN’S FINAL FOUR, Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas

truTV: 11:30 PM-12:30 AM – Inside March Madness

Mon., April 4

truTV: 8:00-9:00 PM – NCAA Tip-Off

CBS: 9:00-11:30 PM – MEN’S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP, Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas

truTV: 12:00-1:00 AM – Inside March Madness

And we’ll end it there.

WEEI Re-Signs Dave O’Brien As Secondary Voice of the Red Sox

You may not know that ESPN’s Dave O’Brien calls Red Sox games on the radio when he’s not working for the Alleged Worldwide Leader. He’s been with the Red Sox since 2007 calling most of the games except on Wednesdays when he’s calling MLB for ESPN and early in the season when he’s calling the NCAA Women’s Tournament. But during the summer, Dave is back in his native New England calling the Red Sox with Joe Castiglione on WEEI. Well, WEEI and its parent company, Entercom have announced that it has come to a multiyear agreement with Dave keeping him next to Uncle Joe for the next few years.

WEEI Re-Signs Red Sox Play-By-Play Announcer Dave O’Brien to New Multi-Year Extension

March 31, 2011 (Boston, MA)–Dave O’Brien, one of the most accomplished and versatile play by play broadcasters in the country, has agreed to a new multi-year contract with the WEEI Sports Radio Network to continue as one of the radio voices for the Boston Red Sox. O’Brien is now in his 5^th season of calling Red Sox Baseball alongside Joe Castiglione.

O’Brien, a native of Quincy, MA, has built a national reputation as one of the country’s preeminent sportscasters. In addition to his role with the Red Sox, he serves as play-by-play announcer for ESPN’s Wednesday Night Baseball. At ESPN he has also broadcast NBA basketball, NCAA men’s and women’s college basketball, and MLS Soccer. In 2006, he was the voice of the 2006 World Cup Soccer Tournament televised by ABC.

Prior to joining ESPN, he was the voice of the Florida Marlins from the team’s inaugural year in 1993 through 2001. From 2003-2005, O’Brien was the television voice of the New York Mets on WPIX-TV. He has also done play-by-play for the Atlanta Braves and called college football and basketball games for the University of Georgia and the University of Miami.

O’Brien says, “To be a Red Sox voice is a special honor for me, as a local guy. To know I’ll be calling the Sox for years to come, with a great partner, makes it even sweeter. I’m delighted.”

WEEI Vice President of Programming, Jason Wolfe, is thrilled to have O’Brien as part of the Red Sox radio team.  “I’ve known Dave for more than 20 years and he is, without a doubt, one of the very best play by play broadcasters in America today. He’s done a phenomenal job for us since he was hired in 2007 and I’m extremely pleased that he’ll be with us for the foreseeable future.”

Certainly good news as Dave is a very good announcer. Glad to see he’s still going to be calling Red Sox games for a little while longer.

MLB At Bat ’11 Updated For Mobile Apps Today

From MLB.com and MLB Advanced Media, we have the news and MLB At Bat ’11, the mobile app for the iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch, Android and Blackberry has been updated in time for Opening Day. Plenty of features for you and lots of good stuff for those who have either platform. In addition, MLB.TV will be free for those using MLB At Bat on an Apple device.

Let’s take a look at what’s in store for At Bat users.

AT BAT 11 OPENING DAY RELEASE AVAILABLE NOW

Free MLB.TV trial offers free live games in April on Apple iOS mobile devices

MLB.TV access for watching live regular season games debuts on select Android devices

New York, NY, March 31, 2011 – MLB.com At Bat, the top-selling, award-winning suite of mobile applications developed by MLB Advanced Media, has issued its Opening Day application updates which include a host of new features, offers and functionalities. The highlights of the latest release are a free trial of MLB.TV for the month of April – on Apple iOS mobile devices, a re-designed Gameday experience with realistic ballpark images for iPad and the first live streaming of regular season baseball games on Android with access to MLB.TV.

In addition to these enhancements, MLB.com At Bat 11 will introduce the following capabilities for each respective mobile device, intended to further enrich the fan experience this season:

At Bat 11 for iPad

• Watch every out-of-market game during April with a free MLB.TV trial (NEW)
• Enhanced, re-designed Gameday pitch-by-pitch features, including realistic ballpark renderings from all 30 MLB parks in partnership with MLB^® 11: The Show™, available exclusively on PlayStation^® (NEW)
• See key plays and pivotal moments from every game with Live Looks-Ins, blackout free (NEW)
• Archived games to watch every game from 2011 on-demand (NEW)
• MLB.TV subscription access to watch live out-of-market games all season
• Home and away radio broadcasts
• In-progress video highlights
• Condensed Games
• Breaking news, standings, schedules, rosters and statistics

At Bat 11 for iPhone, iPod touch

• Watch every out-of-market game during April with a free MLB.TV trial (NEW)
• See key plays and pivotal moments from every game with Live Looks-Ins, blackout free (NEW)
• Archived games to watch every game from 2011 on-demand (NEW)
• At The Ballpark with check-in, interactive venue maps, expanded video highlights, my profile, social media with Twitter and Facebook, exclusive offers and rewards and more (NEW)
• Customizable home screen to feature a designated favorite team (NEW)
• MLB.TV subscription access to watch live out-of-market games all season
• Home and away radio broadcasts
• In-progress video highlights
• Condensed Games and video library archive, searchable by team and player
• Breaking news, standings, schedules, rosters and statistics
• Customizable push notifications for game start and end and video highlight availability

At Bat 11 for Android

• MLB.TV subscription access to watch live out-of-market games (NEW)*
• At Bat.tv Free Game of the Day to watch one live out-of-market game free every day (NEW)*
• See key plays/pivotal moments from every game with Live Look-Ins, blackout free  (NEW)*
• At The Ballpark with check-in, expanded video highlights, my profile, social media with Facebook, exclusive offers and rewards and more (NEW)
• Customizable home screen to feature a designated favorite team (NEW)
• Favorite team icon launcher widget for one-click access to a team’s homepage (NEW)
• MLB.com widget for one-click access to a live league-wide scoreboard (NEW)
• In-progress video highlights
• Home and away radio broadcasts
• Gameday pitch-by-pitch tracker
• Video library archive, searchable by team and player
• Breaking news, standings, schedules, rosters and statistics

* Technical requirements for live video on Android: To access live video, the minimum OS is 2.2, supporting Flash with at least an ARMv7 processor. Note that not all 2.2 devices support Flash and users may experience other unexpected device constraints.

At Bat 11 for BlackBerry

• Home and away radio broadcasts
• In-progress video highlights
• Gameday pitch-by-pitch tracker
• Customizable push notifications for game start and end and video highlight availability
• Breaking news, standings, schedules, rosters and statistics

MLB.com At Bat 11 is available to subscribers for a one-time fee of $14.99 for the entire 2011 season. For more information, visit MLB.com.

The $14.99 is quite high and I hope it doesn’t go up to $19.99 because that is where I will draw the line for a mobile app.

ESPN Presents Multiplatform and Multimedia Coverage of The Masters

The Masters^® is a real sign that Spring is here. It means the weather should get warmer and the leaves should be coming out soon, depending on where you live. In its fourth year of coverage from Augusta National, ESPN will take over the 3-D coverage which began last year as a collaboration between Comcast and CBS. ESPN 3D will have coverage of all four rounds as well as the Par 3 contest. ESPN 3D’s coverage will last for two hours per day.

For the Mothership, ESPN’s coverage has been expanded by an hour starting at 3 p.m. Eastern time and lasting until 7:30 p.m. or when the first and second rounds have concluded.

ESPN’s coverage will also be picked up by Masters.com as well as the iPad and iPhone apps so if you’re in your office, you can watch live coverage online.

Let’s take a look at the rather extensive press release sent by ESPN this morning.

ESPN’s Masters Coverage Expands Across Multimedia Platforms

Added Hour for First Two Rounds; 5 Days Coverage on ESPN 3D; SportsCenter Reports Start Monday

In its fourth year of live coverage of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club, ESPN will have an added hour of live Tournament play from the first two rounds, five days of action on the ESPN 3D Network and the traditional Par 3 Contest the day preceding the Tournament. Expansive news, information and analysis will appear on a variety of ESPN platforms in the U.S. and around the world, including television, radio, online and mobile devices.

ESPN and ESPN HD will air 4.5 hours of live first and second round action on Thursday, April 7, and Friday, April 8, from 3-7:30 p.m. ET, an additional hour each day from the previous three years. An edited encore presentation will air in prime time each night from 8-11 p.m. ESPN Deportes, ESPN’s Spanish-language U.S. sports network, also will televise the first and second rounds live from 3-7:30 p.m. and the ESPN 3D Network will air two hours of live play from the first two rounds each day starting at 5:30 p.m.

Prior to the live television windows Thursday and Friday, SportsCenter will air updates every 30 minutes beginning at 9 a.m. daily.

Mike Tirico will serve as host of ESPN’s Thursday and Friday telecasts and will conduct player interviews from Augusta National’s iconic Butler Cabin. Curtis Strange will provide analysis. CBS will again produce the telecasts, with announcer contributions from Jim Nantz, Nick Faldo, Peter Oosterhuis, Verne Lundquist, David Feherty, Bill Macatee, Peter Kostis and Ian-Baker Finch. Paco Aleman and Silvia Bertolaccini will have the call on ESPN Deportes with John Sutcliffe serving as the on course reporter.

SportsCenter
Live reports on SportsCenter from Augusta National Golf Club begin Monday, April 4, in the afternoon and continue through Sunday. Media Day is Tuesday, April 5, and SportsCenter will air the news conferences of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. Tirico and Scott Van Pelt will host SportsCenter reports from the Masters and will be joined by Strange, Rinaldi and lead SportsCenter analyst Andy North. Van Pelt also will host with North a special one-hour preview SportsCenter at the Masters Wednesday, April 8, at 5 p.m., with Rinaldi reporting, following the Par 3 Contest telecast. ESPN the Magazine’s Rick Reilly will provide essays for SportsCenter Wednesday through Sunday.

Masters Par 3 Contest
The Masters Par 3 Contest will air live Wednesday, April 6, from 3-5 p.m. on ESPN, ESPN HD, ESPN 3D and ESPN3.com. The Par 3 Contest is the traditional event held each Wednesday prior to the Masters that includes Tournament participants, non-competing past champions and honorary invitees in a fun, family atmosphere. The event, which began in 1960, was first televised by ESPN in 2008. On ESPN, Tirico, North and Strange will be joined by Tom Rinaldi, who will conduct interviews on the putting green, and on-ground reporter Kostis. Host Terry Gannon and analyst Paul Azinger will have the call on ESPN 3D.

ESPN’s television coverage will include 10 hours of programming in 3D on the ESPN 3D network, including two hours from all four rounds of Tournament action. Thursday and Friday’s telecasts begin at 5:30 p.m. while the weekend telecasts begin at 5 p.m. Two hours of coverage of Wednesday’s Par 3 Contest airs at 3 p.m. Last April, the Masters became the first major sporting event produced and broadcast live in 3D internationally on television and the Internet. Gannon will host ESPN 3D’s telecasts with analyst Azinger Wednesday through Friday, while Tirico, Azinger and Strange will have the call Saturday and Sunday.

The Masters Online
In addition to television coverage, there will be extensive Masters Tournament offerings for fans online across ESPN.com and Masters.com

ESPN.com

• Daily diary from first-time Masters competitor Jhonny Vegas from Wednesday-Sunday (also on ESPNDeportes.com).
• Columns/articles by national columnist Gene Wojciechowskiand ESPN.com golf writer Bob Harig.
• “Digital Drive,” exclusive ESPN.com video with host Rick Reilly and nightly analysis from Wojciechowski and Harig.
• The Top 25 Masters Moments, a series of blogs leading up to the Masters.
• Extensive highlights during tournament week.
• Live leaderboard link from Masters.com.
• Features/columns on Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Jack Nicklaus.
• CoverItLive on Thursday/Friday with comments and insights from ESPN’s golf team covering the Masters from Augusta and beyond.
• CoverItLive with ESPN.com golf blogger Jason Sobel on Saturday/Sunday.
• Live audio updates and interviews on ESPNRadio.com.
• Masters Best Ball Challenge (fantasy game)
• Alternate feed coverage links to “Amen Corner,” “Two Featured Groups,” and “Hole Nos. 15 and 16” on Masters.com.

Additional coverage of the Masters on ESPN platforms:

ESPNNetworks.com
All Masters programming on ESPN will also be available online through ESPNnetworks.com, which is accessible to fans who receive their video service from an affiliated provider.

ESPN International
This year 88 countries will see the Masters on ESPN platforms. Fans in these countries can follow the Masters on ESPN television, online, mobile and broadband platforms. The Masters is available in:

• Asia (17.5 hours to 16 countries and 174 million households via ESS),
• Latin America and the Caribbean (all four rounds and the Par 3 Contest coverage to 51 Countries and over 32 million households)
• In Canada, TSN will air the first two rounds of the Masters live with same day re-airs in primetime of the final rounds. RDS is airing all four rounds of the Masters live in French. TSN reaches 13.6 million households.
• North Africa and the Middle East (all four rounds to 21 countries and 600,000 households)
• The Par 3 Contest, all four rounds of the Masters and exclusive “Amen Corner,” “Featured Group,” and “Hole Nos. 15 and 16,” will be live on ESPN Play in Latin America.

ESPN Radio
ESPN Radio SportsCenter reporter Dan Davis will present updates from Augusta National Golf Club throughout the Masters Tournament Wednesday-Sunday, April 6-10. Davis will provide live hourly updates (4:40.-9:40 p.m.) during the first two rounds, and twice-an-hour reports at 20 and 40 minutes past the hour (1:20-8:40 p.m.) throughout the weekend’s SportsCenter Saturday and SportsCenter Sunday programs as well as during ESPN Radio’s NBA and MLB studio shows. Davis’ reports will also run on weekday’s SportsCenter AM (5-6 a.m.) and in SportsCenter Tonight (10 p.m.-1 a.m.) throughout the week.

ESPNEWS
ESPNEWS will offer all the latest Masters news beginning Monday, April 5, with interviews, pre- and post-round news conferences and analysis from Scott Van Pelt, Andy North and Mike Tirico.

ESPN FILMS
The ESPN Films original production Yes Sir: Jack Nicklaus and the ’86 Masters will premiere Wednesday, April 6, at 6 p.m. on ESPN, following SportsCenter at the Masters. The one-hour documentary looks back at Nicklaus’ thrilling victory at Augusta in 1986 at the age of 46, the last of his 18 major wins. Included are new interviews with Nicklaus, his son and caddy Jackie, and others including Tiger Woods, Tom Watson and Greg Norman.

ESPN Classic
ESPN Classic will televise a 43-hour Masters Tribute featuring Official Masters Films beginning Tuesday, April 5, at 8 p.m. The tribute will include highlights from every year of the Masters from 1960 through 2010, with programming continuing all day Wednesday and through 3 p.m. on Thursday when first round coverage begins.

ABC SUPERSIGN
Parts of the first and second rounds and the Par 3 Contest will be simulcast live on the ABC SuperSign in New York City’s Times Square on Wednesday, April 6, from 3-5 p.m. and Thursday and Friday, April 7-8, from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

The Masters – Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, GA

Net	Day	Date	Start	End	Round
ESPN Classic	Tue.	4/5/11	8:00 PM	3:00 PM	43-Hour Masters Tribute
ESPN, ESPN 3D, ESPN3.com	Wed	4/6/11	3:00 PM	5:00 PM	Par 3 Contest
ESPN	Wed	4/6/11	5:00 PM	6:00 PM	SportsCenter at the Masters
ESPN	Wed.	4/6/11	6:00 PM	7:00 PM	Yes Sir – Jack Nicklaus and the ’86 Masters
ESPN, ESPN Deportes	Thu	4/7/11	3:00 PM	7:30 PM	First Round
ESPN 3D	Thu	4/7/11	5:30 PM	7:30 PM	First Round
ESPN	Thu	4/7/11	8:00 PM	11:00 PM	First Round (Encore)
ESPN, ESPN Deportes	Fri	4/8/11	3:00 PM	7:30 PM	Second Round
ESPN 3D	Fri	4/8/11	5:30 PM	7:30 PM	Second Round
ESPN	Fri	4/8/11	8:00 PM	11:00 PM	Second Round (Encore)
ESPN 3D	Sat	4/9/11	5:00 PM	7:00 PM	Third Round
ESPN 3D	Sun	4/10/11	5:00 PM	7:00 PM	Final Round

And that will do it!

Primetime & Late Night Viewing Picks

College Basketball
National Invitation Tournament, New York, NY
Championship
Wichita State vs. Alabama – ESPN2, 7 p.m.

Slam Dunk & 3-Point Championship – ESPN2, 9 p.m.

Golf
LPGA Tour/Kraft Nabisco Championship, 1st round – Golf Channel, noon & 6:30 p.m.
PGA Tour/Houston Open, 1st round – Golf Channel, 3 p.m.

MLB
OPENING DAY
American League
Detroit at New York Yankees – ESPN/Fox Sports Detroit/YES, 1 p.m.
Anaheim Angels at Kansas City – Fox Sports West/Fox Sports Kansas City, 4 p.m.

National League
Atlanta at Washington – SportSouth/MASN, 1 p.m.
Milwaukee at Cincinnati – Fox Sports Wisconsin/Fox Sports Ohio, 2 p.m.
San Diego at St. Louis – ESPN/Cox 4/Fox Sports Midwest, 4 p.m.
San Francisco at Los Angeles – ESPN, 8 p.m.

MLB Tonight: 1st to 3rd – MLB Network, 1 p.m.
Quick Pitch Live – MLB Network, 8 p.m.
Baseball Tonight – ESPN, midnight

NBA
Boston at San Antonio – TNT, 8 p.m.
Dallas at Los Angeles Lakers – TNT, 10:30 p.m.

Inside the NBA – TNT, 1 a.m.

NHL
Columbus at Washington – Versus/Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, 7 p.m.
Atlanta at Philadelphia – SportSouth/Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, 7 p.m.
New York Rangers at New York Islanders – MSG Network/MSG Plus, 7 p.m.
Toronto at Boston – TSN/NESN, 7 p.m.
Ottawa at Florida – Rogers Sportsnet East/Fox Sports Florida, 7:30 p.m.
Pittsburgh at Tampa Bay – FSN Pittsburgh/Sun Sports, 7:30 p.m.
Edmonton at Minnesota – Rogers Sportsnet West/Fox Sports North, 8 p.m.
Nashville at Colorado – Fox Sports Tennessee/Altitude, 9 p.m.
Los Angeles at Vancouver – Fox Sports West/Rogers Sportsnet Pacific, 10 p.m.
Dallas at San Jose – Fox Sports Southwest/Comcast SportsNet California, 10:30 p.m.

NHL on the Fly – NHL Network, 8 p.m.
NHL Overtime – Versus, 11 p.m

Tennis
Sony Ericsson Open/Women’s First Semifinal & Men’s Quarterfinal – ESPN2, 1 p.m.
Sony Ericsson Open/Women’s Second Semifinal – Tennis Channel, 9 p.m.

Entertainment
Wipeout – ABC, 8 p.m.
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation – CBS, 9 p.m.
Archer – FX, 10 p.m.
True Crime with Aphrodite Jones: Jon-Benet Ramsey – Discovery ID, 10 p.m.
Private Practice – ABC, 10:01 p.m.
Conan – TBS, 11 p.m.
Late Show with David Letterman – CBS, 11:35 p.m.

Your Root Sports Logo

On Friday, April 1, FSN Pittsburgh, FSN Rocky Mountain and FSN Northwest will be no more. They’ll change their brand and logos to a new name, Root Sports. The owner of all three regional sports networks, DirecTV Sports decided to take the channels on a different route, no longer employing the Fox Sports Net name although the new networks will still be affiliated with FSN and take its national programming.

The name “Root” is partially taken from “rooting for the home team” and also establishing more of a local presence on the channels.

Root Sports Pittsburgh will have the local rights to the Pirates and Penguins.

Root Sports Rocky Mountain will maintain the rights to the Colorado Rockies and the Utah Jazz.

Root Sports Northwest will air the Seattle Mariners as well as the MLS’ Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers.

With MLB Extra Innings on a free preview from April 1-12, it will be noted how each of the new channels ingratiate themselves with the local sports fans, and if they go over the top in promoting their local connections.

ESPN’s MLB Commentators Look Into The Crystal Ball

Well, ESPN sent this press release regarding the upcoming MLB season and we have various thoughts from the Alleged Worldwide Leader’s baseball announcers. Let’s look at what they’re saying.

ESPN MLB Commentators Share Insights Heading into 2011 Season

Several ESPN MLB commentators share their perspective on a variety of topics entering the 2011 season. ESPN will debut new commentator teams this year including Dan Shulman, Orel Hershiser and Bobby Valentine on Sunday Night Baseball (with reporters Wendi Nix and Buster Olney), Sean McDonough, Rick Sutcliffe and Aaron Boone on Monday Night Baseball (with reporter Tim Kurkjian), and Dave O’Brien and Nomar Garciaparra on Wednesday Night Baseball (with reporter Pedro Gomez). Additionally, Baseball Tonight, with host Karl Ravech and analysts John Kruk and Barry Larkin will originate from the site of Sunday Night Baseball this season.

ESPN’s 22^nd season of MLB coverage will include six games from March 31 through April 3, including Opening Night showcasing the defending World Champion San Francisco Giants visiting rival Los Angeles Dodgers at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN. Opening Night will be available via ESPN, ESPN Radio, ESPN Deportes, ESPN3.com and ESPN Mobile TV. ESPN games are available on ESPN3.com and ESPN Mobile TV throughout the season.

ESPN commentator analysis:

Dan Shulman, Sunday Night Baseball play-by-play commentator, on the biggest impact free agent?
“Cliff Lee is the most significant offseason free agent signing. Not only is his performance critical to the Phillies’ success, especially with a growing number of questions about their offense, but it also leaves a big hole in the Yankees and Rangers rotations because they missed out on him. His decision to go to Philly has a chance to play a part in many different playoff races in 2011.”

Orel Hershiser, Sunday Night Baseball and Baseball Tonight analyst, on the nastiest pitchers in baseball:
“Mariano Rivera’s cutter has been the most dominant pitch in baseball for the longest period of time.  Hitters know it is coming and still can’t hit it. Roy Halladay, Felix Hernandez and Tim Lincecum also immediately come to mind.  Halladay can command both sides of the plate with the effectiveness of his cutter and two-seamer.  Hernandez brings the total repertoire, with intimidating velocity, movement and a hard breaking ball.  Tim Lincecum’s changeup is dominant because of his great arm speed, with the same delivery and body rhythm as his other pitches, and outstanding movement.”

Hershiser on the best pitching rotation in baseball:
“Philadelphia Phillies.  Their resumes speak for themselves.  They are also healthy coming out of Spring Training, which separates them a bit from teams like Boston and San Francisco right now.”

Bobby Valentine, Sunday Night Baseball and Baseball Tonight analyst, on the manager most deserving of more recognition:
“Tampa Bay’s Joe Maddon, because of his ability to keep his team competitive and in the race each year.  Some people believe it has been smoking mirrors, but I know he’s a great manager.”

Valentine on the most significant offseason acquisition (trade or via free agency):
“Boston’s addition of Adrian Gonzalez, because he will bring them consistent, quality at bats and solid defense.”

Karl Ravech, entering his 17^th season as Baseball Tonight host, predicting what fans will see this season:
“Looking into a crystal ball, we will see the Boston Red Sox as champions and Mike Stanton and Hanley Ramirez as the most feared 1-2 punch in baseball. The Mets will have a new owner, A-Rod will win the MVP, Albert Pujols will play his final season in St. Louis and baseball will have agreed to a long-term collective bargaining agreement complete with expanded instant replay and playoffs.”

John Kruk, Baseball Tonight analyst, on the prettiest swing in baseball:
“The Yankees’ Robinson Cano.  I have always been a fan of the ‘floating swing.’  He keeps his hands and weight back and times everything off of a pitcher’s fastball.  If he gets fooled, he can still make the adjustment and turn it into a hit.  That’s the swing I would want if I was playing today.”

Barry Larkin, Baseball Tonight analyst, on whether the Giants will repeat as champions?
“The Giants have the pitching to make another run towards the postseason.  However, winning the division and the World Series is a function of not only great pitching, but consistent defense, timely hitting and great team chemistry.  Last year, manager Bruce Bochy referred to his team as a bunch of castoffs and journeymen.  The team pulled together, showed great resolve and tremendous character. Two guys that came up huge for the Giants were Edgar Renteria and Juan Uribe. This year, the Giants will miss the timely contributions they made – offensively and defensively – and will come up short.”

Aaron Boone, Monday Night Baseball and Baseball Tonight analyst, on Albert Pujols’ 2011 season and where he’ll play in 2012:
“I think Albert Pujols will have a ‘normal,’ which means ‘great,’ season in 2011. He’ll end up back in St. Louis in 2012, unless he goes to Washington.”

Boone on players that could hit 40 home runs or more in 2011:
“I think there are seven players that can hit 40 home runs in 2011 – Miguel Cabrera, Adam Dunn, Nelson Cruz, Carlos Gonzalez, Prince Fielder, Ryan Howard and Albert Pujols.”

That’s all.

The NBA on TNT Returns to Thursday With Four 50-Win Teams

On Thursday, the NBA on TNT doubleheader returns to its regular night with two games all involving 50 win teams. We have the schedule for Thursday and the week after.

The NBA on TNT Returns to Thursday Night with Four 50-Win Teams in Action

Exclusive Doubleheader Features Celtics @ Spurs and Mavericks @ Lakers

TNT’s coverage of the NBA returns to Thursday night on March 31 with an exclusive doubleheader featuring four teams with more than 50 wins.  The first game of the night will feature Paul Pierce and the Boston Celtics visiting Tony Parker and the San Antonio Spurs at 8 p.m. (ET).  Kevin Harlan (play-by-play) and Kevin McHale (analyst) will be courtside with David Aldridge reporting. In the second game of the night, Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers will host Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks at 10:30 p.m. (ET). Play-by-play announcer Dick Stockton will call the game alongside analysts Mike Fratello and Reggie Miller with Cheryl Miller reporting. The Emmy® award-winning studio show Inside the NBA with Matt Winer (host), Rick Fox and Chris Webber (analysts) will recap the games.

The 2010-11 season of the NBA on TNT is the most-watched season in Turner’s 27 years of airing NBA coverage. Through 46 games, the NBA on TNT is averaging a 1.6 U.S. household rating (+35% vs. 1.2 for last year’s corresponding coverage); 2,427,000 total viewers (+39% vs. 1,744,000); and 1,810,000 households (+36% vs. 1,328,000). In addition, this season’s audience is 29% larger than Turner’s second-best regular-season audience from 1995-96 (1,885,000).

Exclusive content, analysis from TNT announcers and replays of Inside the NBA are available on TNT OverTime on NBA.com. The broadband channel gives fans the inside scoop on players, coaches and storylines taking place around the league seven days a week.  Check out the NBA on TNT pages on Twitter (http://twitter.com/NBAonTNT) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/nbaontnt) to see the latest NBA on TNT schedule, news updates and special features from TNT announcers.

NBA ON TNT NBA SCHEDULE:

DAY/DATE
TIME (ET)	EVENT
Thu., March 31
8 p.m.	TNT< NBA Tip-Off
	Matt Winer (host), Rick Fox (analyst) and Chris Webber (analyst)
	Boston Celtics @ San Antonio Spurs
	Kevin Harlan (play-by-play) and Kevin McHale (analyst) with David Aldridge (reporter)
10:30 p.m.	Dallas Mavericks @ Los Angeles Lakers
	Marv Albert (play-by-play), Mike Fratello (analyst), Reggie Miller  (analyst) with Cheryl Miller (reporter)
Post-game	Inside the NBA
	Matt Winer (host), Rick Fox (analyst) and Chris Webber (analyst)

NBA ON TNT UPCOMING SCHEDULE:

Thu., April 7
8 p.m.	TNT NBA Tip-Off
	Ernie Johnson (host) and Kevin McHale (analyst)
	Boston Celtics @ Chicago Bulls
	Marv Albert (play-by-play), Mike Fratello (analyst) with Craig Sager (reporter)
10:30 p.m.	Portland Trail Blazers @ Utah Jazz
	Kevin Harlan (play-by-play) and Reggie Miller (analyst) with David Aldridge (reporter)
Post-game	Inside the NBA
	Ernie Johnson (host) and Kevin McHale (analyst)

Source: Nielsen Media Research. Based on Live+SD. NBA Regular Season on TNT STD; 46 games vs. 47 games (10/26/2010-3/22/2011) vs. (10/27/2009-3/25/2010).

There you go.

The Season Premiere of MLB on Fox Is This Saturday

Is this the quietest Opening Day you’ve ever seen? Usually, there’s more hype over baseball Opening Day, but I really haven’t seen much promotion except for ESPN’s during the NCAA Women’s Tournament. Anyway, as baseball opens Wednesday, the TV partners for MLB ramp up and get ready for their openers. Fox will have three games on Saturday and it means the return of Fang’s Bites counting the games that Joe Buck will call during the regular season. Last year, he did 14 out of 26 regular season games for Fox.

We see that he’s calling Saturday’s Detroit-Yankees game which will go to most of the country. Here’s the schedule for the season premiere of MLB on Fox.

FOX SPORTS NOTES, QUOTES & ANECDOTES

MLB on FOX Comes Out Swinging for 16^th Season Saturday at 4:00 PM ET
2011 Premiere Features Yankees/Tigers, Giants/Dodgers, Padres/Cardinals
Buck, McCarver & Karros Break Down Chances of Giants Repeating, On and Off-Field Problems with Mets, Pujols Contract and Mattingly’s Rookie Manager Season

MLB ON FOX THROWS OUT FIRST PITCH OF ’11 SATURDAY – The multi Emmy Award-winning FOX SATURDAY BASEBALL GAME OF THE WEEK returns for its 16^th season on Saturday, April 2 at 4:00 PM ET with live regional coverage of three exciting matchups. Week one takes FOX Sports to the South Bronx as Derek Jeter and the Yankees begin their pursuit of championship No. 28 against Miguel Cabrera and the Tigers. In Los Angeles, the defending champion Giants begin their quest of repeating against their most heated rivals, the Dodgers. In St. Louis, Albert Pujols as the Cardinals host the Padres. Pregame originates live from Dodgers Stadium, with host Chris Rose. Once game action begins, Rose joins the game crew including Kenny Albert and Eric Karros as a field reporter.

For instant updates throughout the week and during games from the entire MLB on FOX crew, follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/MLBONFOX. Fans can gain more access to exclusive FOX Sports content by logging on to www.facebook.com/foxsports and www.myspace.com/foxsports.

SATURDAY, APRIL 2 – 4:00 PM ET

Detroit Tigers at New York Yankees – Joe Buck, Tim McCarver & Ken Rosenthal, going to 59% of USA
Yankee Stadium – Bronx, NY

MARKETS INCLUDE:
Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Birmingham, Boston, Buffalo, Charlotte, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Detroit, Fort Myers, Greensboro, Greenville, Hartford, Jacksonville, Knoxville, Miami, Minneapolis, Mobile, New Orleans, New York, Norfolk, Orlando, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Providence, Raleigh, Richmond, San Antonio, Seattle, Tampa, Washington, West Palm Beach

Probable Pitchers: Brad Penny, RHP (3-4, 3.23 ERA vs. A.J. Burnett, RHP (10-15, 5.26 ERA)

San Francisco Giants at Los Angeles Dodgers – Kenny Albert & Eric Karros, going to 20% of USA
Dodger Stadium – Los Angeles, CA

MARKETS INCLUDE:
Albuquerque, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Portland, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Francisco

Probable Pitchers:  Matt Cain, RHP (13-11, 3140 ERA) vs. Ted Lilly, LHP (10-12, 3.62 ERA)

San Diego Padres at St. Louis Cardinals – Thom Brennaman & Mark Grace, going to 20% of USA
Busch Stadium – St. Louis, MO

MARKETS INCLUDE:
Chicago, Cincinnati, Dayton, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Louisville, Memphis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Oklahoma City, San Diego, St. Louis, Tulsa

Probable Pitchers: Clayton Richard, LHP (14-9, 3.75) vs. Jake Westbrook, RHP (10-11, 4.22 ERA)

PLAY BALL – BUCK, KARROS, MCCARVER AND SHANKS PREVIEW 2011 SEASON — During yesterday’s MLB on FOX season preview press call, play-by-play announcer Joe Buck, analyst Eric Karros, analyst Tim McCarver and FOX Sports Media Group Co-President & COO Eric Shanks looked ahead at some of the stories of the 2011 season.

BUCK ON ALBERT PUJOLS’ CONTRACT SITUATION: “It has the potential of getting really ugly. The Cardinals should’ve taken care of two years ago before Ryan Howard signed a $25M a year contract. Howard’s deal changed everything. If Albert Pujols is steadfast on wanting a contract anywhere close to 10 years in length, I don’t see the Cardinals being able to do it and they shouldn’t do it. If they can overpay him for a shorter duration, that would make more sense to me. I think the Cubs are right at the top of list of teams for him. They can say ‘here, change the perception of our club.” The other one might be the Mets, depending on what happens with that ownership situation. At the end of this process, it comes down to how bad he wants to be a St. Louis Cardinal. If the answer is, ‘eh, kind of,” then I think he’s gone.”

McCARVER ON THE METS: “I feel the Wilpons will have to sell the ball club. I don’t see how they can escape just by selling a minority stake where they won’t allow any control. It’s a deplorable situation and I would not want to be a player on that team right now. All the questions surrounding the team will be about the off the field problems and it’s very difficult to play under those circumstances. I can’t see the Mets doing a lot on the field but if they finish second or a close third it wouldn’t surprise me as far as their talent on the field.”

KARROS ON THE RANGERS: “I don’t think the road will be as easy as it was last year. The Oakland A’s are better, the Angels will be better if Kendry Morales gets back soon but I think the Rangers still win the division. I like Adrian Beltre a lot. I played with him when he was a youngster and he’s as good of third baseman as there is in the league.”

McCARVER ON THE RANGERS’ MICHAEL YOUNG: “Is there any guy in baseball who has been any more of a team player than Michael Young? He’s moved from second to short to third and now he’s asked to DH. He’s been an All-Star at two of the positions. He has been a guy who has accepted it and continues to accept it. He is the quintessential team player.”

McCARVER ON THE YANKEES: “I don’t think the concern should be whether Derek Jeter gets 180 or 220 hits. The real emphasis should be put on A.J. Burnett, Phil Hughes and whether Ivan Nova can win 13 games. If the Yankees are going to be successful it’s not going to be the success of Derek Jeter, it’s going to be the success if their pitching staff.”

KARROS ON MATTINGLY AS FIRST-YEAR MANAGER: “If I’m a rookie manager, would I rather manage the Pirates or Dodgers? I’d take this Dodger job 10 out of 10 times. He has a roster full of talented players. I think he will do well but I’m not sure what his style is. When he first faces adversity, we’ll get a real idea of him.”

KARROS ON THE GIANTS: “I think the Giants have improved their ball club from last year. I don’t say that because they went out and got guys but because they’ll have Madison Bumgarner and Buster Posey for the entire year. Mark DeRosa can spell want Juan Uribe did last year. The Giants are that much deeper and better than everyone else in the division. They would have to be a lot of things go wrong for them not to repeat in the division. ”

McCARVER ON GIANTS: “Tim Lincecum is going to get off to the best start of any pitcher in the major leagues. His spring was astounding. With two Cy Young’s under his belt, I think he’s going to win his third.”

FOXSPORTS.COM MLB LIVE SHOW TONIGHT! – Beginning tonight, FOXSports.com goes LIVE for a final hour-long MLB spring training breakdown. Host Brian Webber is joined by analysts Kevin Kennedy, Jim Bowden and Mike Harmon from Los Angeles. In between breaking-down each and every division, FOXSports.com airs exclusive interviews with Dodgers star Andre Ethier, White Sox slugger Adam Dunn and Chicago Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood with MLB on FOX reporter Ken Rosenthal from earlier in spring training.  Kennedy, Bowden and Harmon also take questions via @MLBONFOX twitter or by emailing foxmlblive@hotmail.com.

Beginning tonight, fans can click here to access: http://tinyurl.com/4km7wdq

FOX SPORTS AND STAND UP TO CANCER COME TOGETHER TO FIGHT CANCER – During the 2011 MLB on FOX season, the network supports “Stand Up To Cancer” an organization that utilizes resources from the film and media industry to support a new model of cancer research. SU2C’s mission is to fund groundbreaking, collaborative research to accelerate treatments to patients. MLB on FOX, along with FOX Sports’ 14 regional cable channels will support the charity with on-air mentions. In addition, talent will wear SU2C pins and Public Service Announcements will run next month across News Corporation’s family of channels. For more information please visit standup2cancer.org/foxsports.

ROSENTHAL STEPS TO THE PLATE FOR THE BOW TIE CAUSE — Beginning this Saturday and throughout the 2011 MLB on FOX season, FOX Sports reporter and FOXSports.com senior MLB columnist Ken Rosenthal will proudly sport a bowtie – but why? Through the bowtie, Rosenthal is supporting “The Bow Tie Cause,” a philanthropic initiative created by Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Dhani Jones in honor of Jones’ best friend Kunta Littlejohn. Littlejohn was diagnosed with lymphoma in 1999 and is in full remission today. Jones’ company has produced bow ties that represent a number of nationally known charities, from Livestrong to Ronald McDonald House to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. More bow ties are in development, including one for Stand Up to Cancer, MLB on FOX’s charity for 2011. Each Friday, FOXSports.com unveils the bow tie Rosenthal will wear on that Saturday’s broadcast, along with a description of the charity and how to get involved.

For the complete story told by Rosenthal on how the Bowtie initiative at FOX started click here:  http://tinyurl.com/4uh6sat

And that is all.

Golf Channel’s Tournaments For The Week

Golf Channel is going to be quite busy as it takes full four round coverage of the first LPGA Major tournament of the year, the LPGA Kraft Nabisco, better known to some as Dinah Shore Weekend. In addition, Golf Channel will be live for the PGA’s Houston Open. Golf Channel will also carry live coverage of the PGA European Tour in Morocco and then there’s the Champions Tour as well. You can see that Golf Channel will be quite busy starting on Thursday morning. Here is the tournament schedule for the four tours in action this week.

Golf Channel Live Tournament Coverage: March 31-April 3

Twenty Hours of Live Coverage of the Kraft Nabisco Championship
Mickelson, Westwood and Kim Featured Grouping at Houston Open
Brooks and Gallagher Jr. to Make Champions Tour Debuts in Mississippi
European Tour Returns to Morocco for Trophee Hassan II

Kraft Nabisco Championship
Dates: March 31 – April 3
Venue: Dinah Shore Course, Mission Hills Country Club, Rancho Mirage, Calif.

Airtimes (Eastern):
Thursday         12-3 p.m. (Live), 6:30-9:30 p.m. (Live) / 1 a.m.-4 a.m. (Replay)
Friday              12-3 p.m. (Live), 6:30-9:30 p.m. (Live) / 6 a.m.-9 a.m. (Replay)
Saturday          4:30-8:30 p.m. (Live) / 11 p.m.-3 a.m. (Replay)
Sunday            4:30-8:30 p.m. (Live) / 11 p.m.-3 a.m. (Replay)

Golf Channel Tournament Broadcast Team
Terry Gannon (Play by Play)
Judy Rankin (Analyst)
Phil Parkin (Tower)
Tom Abbott (Tower)
Jerry Foltz (On-Course)
Jane Crafter (On-Course)
Rich Lerner (Show Host / Interviews)

Broadcast Notes:

• Twenty Hours of Live Coverage: Golf Channel will deliver a total of 20 hours of live coverage of the Kraft Nabisco Championship, including six hours daily Thursday and Friday.
• Wie and Creamer; Webb and Kerr Featured Pairings: Featured pairings for Thursday’s opening round of coverage include defending champion Karrie Webb and World No. 3 Cristie Kerr for the 12-3 p.m. ET telecast, followed by Michelle Wie and Paula Creamer for the 6:30-9:30 p.m. ET telecast.
• Walk and Talks Featured – Golf Channel’s Jerry Foltz and Jane Crafter will interview players as they are walking the fairways during all four rounds of the tournament.
• Past Champions on Thursday and Friday – Hall of Famers and past champions of the Kraft Nabisco Championship are scheduled to visit with show host Rich Lerner during Thursday and Friday’s live tournament coverage.
• Super Slo Mo Featured – Super G, Golf Channel’s super slow motion camera feature, will be on display during all four rounds of live tournament coverage.
• High Definition – Golf Channel will produce and broadcast all four rounds of the Kraft Nabisco Championship in high definition.

Houston Open
Dates: March 31-April 3
Venue: Tournament Course, Redstone Golf Club, Humble, Texas

Airtimes (Eastern):
Thursday                     3-6 p.m. (Live) / 9:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. (Replay)
Friday                          3-6 p.m. (Live) / 9:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. (Replay)
Saturday                      1-3 p.m. (Live)
Sunday                        1-3 p.m. (Live)

Golf Channel Tournament Broadcast Team
Brian Hammons (Play by Play)
Frank Nobilo (Analyst)
Gary Koch (Tower)
Jimmy Roberts (Tower)
Mark Rolfing (Tower/On Course)
Dottie Pepper (On Course)
Roger Maltbie (On Course)
Mike Ritz (Interviews)

Broadcast Notes:

• Kim, Mickelson and Westwood Featured Grouping for Thursday Coverage: Defending champion Anthony Kim, World No. 2 Lee Westwood and World No. 6 Phil Mickelson will be the tournament’s featured grouping during Thursday’s opening round of coverage. 
• Golf Channel To Air Live, Weekend Coverage: In addition to early-round coverage, Golf Channel will air two hours of live action Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m. ET leading in to NBC Sports’ live coverage.
• Golf Channel on NBC: All golf coverage on NBC has been re-branded as “Golf Channel on NBC.” The coverage will incorporate the Golf Channel look throughout every telecast, down to the logo on the NBC Sports commentators’ apparel. Golf Channel’s tournament graphics will be showcased throughout all coverage, which now includes a custom-made Golf Channel-NBC peacock combination logo.
• Srixon Protracer Featured: Srixon Protracer, a graphics technology that measures the flight and trajectory of a golf shot using superimposed graphics to show the ball flight, will be featured on several holes at Redstone Golf Club.

Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic
Dates: April 1-3
Venue: Fallen Oak Golf Course, Saucier, Miss.

 

Airtimes (Eastern):
Saturday (Friday night)          12:30-2:30 a.m. (TD)
Saturday                                  9-11 p.m. (TD)
Sunday                                    9-11 p.m. (TD)

Golf Channel Tournament Broadcast Team
David Marr (Play by Play)
Curt Byrum (Analyst)
Billy Ray Brown (Tower)
John Mahaffey (Tower)
Matt Gogel (On Course)

Broadcast Notes:

• Mark Brooks and Jim Gallagher Jr. to Make Champions Tour Debuts – Multiple PGA TOUR tournament winners Mark Brooks and Jim Gallagher Jr. will make their Champions Tour debuts this week at the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic.

Trophee Hassan II
Dates: March 31 – April 3
Venue: Golf du Palais Royal, Agadir, Morocco
Golf de L’Ocean, Agadir, Morocco

Airtimes (Eastern):
Thursday                     11 a.m.-12 p.m. (Live)
Friday                          11 a.m.-12 pm. (Live)
Saturday                      11 a.m.-1 p.m. (Live)
Sunday                        9 a.m.-1 p.m. (Live)

Golf Channel Tournament Broadcast Team:
Steve Burkowski (Studio Host)
Julian Tutt (Play by Play)
Warren Humphreys (Analyst)
Paul Eales (On Course)

Broadcast Notes:

• Headlining the Field: Darren Clarke, Thomas Bjorn, David Howell, Chris Wood, Jeev Milkha Singh and Paul McGinley.

That’s all.

NFL Network’s Programming For The Week

Let’s give you one last press release for the afternoon. This is NFL Network’s programming and NFL.com’s chat schedule for the next seven days.

NFL NETWORK & NFL.COM PROGRAMMING NOTES (3/30 – 4/5)

EAGLES WR DESEAN JACKSON, FALCONS TE TONY GONZALEZ HEADLINE NFL TOTAL ACCESS IN-STUDIO GUESTS
Steve Mariucci & Warren Sapp Are Joined By Alabama DT Marcell Dareus & Missouri DE Aldon Smith on Game Changers Tuesday, April 5 at 8:00 PM ET
Colts Center Jeff Saturday, Michael Lombardi & Actor Rob Riggle Featured on ‘The Rich Eisen Podcast’ on NFL.com
Tampa Bay Storm Host Jacksonville Sharks on “Arena Football Friday” on April 1 at 8:00 PM ET

Colts Center Jeff Saturday, Eagles WR DeSean Jackson, Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez & Raiders CB Stanford Routt In-Studio on NFL Total Access
Indianapolis Colts center Jeff Saturday will serve the last of three nights as a guest analyst on NFL Total Access tonight at 7:00 PM ET. Saturday will also chat with fans on NFL.com tonight at 6:00 PM ET.

NFL players and top draft prospects continue to visit NFL Network studios as Boise State wide receiver Titus Young appears live on NFL Total Access tonight at 7:00 PM ET. Raiders cornerback Stanford Routt will be in-studio for NFL Total Access on Thursday, March 31, and UCLA safety Rahim Moore will be on Path to the Draft and NFL Total Access on Friday, April 1.

Eagles two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver DeSean Jackson will be in-studio on Monday, April 4 on NFL Total Access, followed by Falcons 11-time Pro Bowl tight end Tony Gonzalez on Tuesday, April 5.

Below is a list of the guests scheduled to appear in-studio this week:

Wednesday, March 30
- Colts center Jeff Saturday (NFL Total Access guest analyst, 7:00 PM ET)
- Boise State wide receiver Titus Young (NFL Total Access, 7:00 PM ET)

Thursday, March 31
- Raiders cornerback Stanford Routt (NFL Total Access, 7:00 PM ET)

Friday, April 1
- UCLA safety Rahim Moore (Path to the Draft, 6:00 PM ET; NFL Total Access, 7:00 PM ET)

Monday, April 4
- Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson (NFL Total Access, 7:00 PM ET)

Tuesday, April 5
- Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez (NFL Total Access, 7:00 PM ET)

Game Changers Features Top Defensive Line Prospects – Alabama’s Marcell Dareus and Missouri’s Aldon Smith – Tuesday, April 5 at 8:00 PM ET
With the NFL Draft less than a month away, NFL Network examines some of the notable draft prospects in the new series Game Changers every Tuesday at 8:00 PM ET. NFL Network analyst and former head coach Steve Mariucci puts each prospect through an interview, film study and on-field workout to give viewers exclusive access into the lives of these athletes on and away from the football field.

This week, Game Changers focuses the defensive line, featuring Alabama defensive tackle Marcell Dareus and Missouri defensive end Aldon Smith. Former All-Pro defensive tackle for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Oakland Raiders, Warren Sapp, works one-on-one with Dareus and Smith, imparting little-known secrets of the trade as they prepare for team workouts prior to the NFL Draft.

Shot at Athletes’ Performance in Phoenix, Arizona where many of the top prospects from the Class of 2011 train for the most important day of their lives, Mariucci navigates this uniquely stylized visual presentation, easing the anxieties of these young men who will someday change the game.

Below are video links and select quotes from the premiere episode of Game Changers, which featured Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert and Florida State quarterback Christian Ponder:

- Gabbert and Ponder take to the practice field: http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-draft/09000d5d81f00f87/Game-Changers-The-QBs-hit-the-field

- Mariucci goes through film study with the two quarterbacks: http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-draft/09000d5d81f00f86/Game-Changers-QB-film-study

- “With Blaine having done this so much in practice, he seems to be very at ease with throwing the five quick, the five with a hitch. … He’s been working on this for years. [It] didn’t present itself on film at Missouri because that’s not the offense that they ran. But he trained in the offseason with it, in the summer. He’s been doing it for quite a long time, and you know what? He can do it in his sleep.” – Steve Mariucci on Missouri QB Blaine Gabbert adjusting to playing under center

- “A quarterback’s preparation really never ends. You’ve got a lot of physical training and conditioning; you’ve got to be in as good of shape as anybody on your football team so you never get tired. The film study is A-No. 1 important; you’ve got to learn to love it. You guys will be fine. You’re smart guys, workers and the sky’s the limit.” – Steve Mariucci to Gabbert and Ponder about the quarterback position

Washington & North Carolina Pro Day Coverage on Path to the Draft This Week
NFL Network’s ‘Path to Primetime’ 2011 NFL Draft coverage continues with the fifth season of Path to the Draft, which airs Monday through Friday at 6:00 PM ET up until the 2011 NFL Draft April 28-30. With news reports, pro day coverage, one-on-one interviews, player rankings and exclusive mock drafts, Path to the Draft is the go-to destination for the most in-depth NFL Draft coverage.

Tonight, NFL Network analyst Michael Lombardi reports from Washington’s Pro Day, providing a detailed report on Jake Locker’s workout as well as a one-on-one interview with the quarterback. Additionally, NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks reports from USC’s Pro Day.

On Thursday, March 31, NFL Network’s Mike Mayock and Paul Burmeister are in Chapel Hill for North Carolina’s Pro Day as defensive lineman Robert Quinn, wide receiver Greg Little, linebacker Bruce Carter and other draft prospects look to impress NFL scouts.

Path to the Draft also includes daily “First Draft” features on the top prospects. This week’s episodes will profile:

- Oregon linebacker Casey Matthews (tonight)
- Tennessee tight end Luke Stocker (Thursday)
- Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett (Friday)

Below are video segments from Monday and Tuesday’s editions of Path to the Draft:

- “First Draft” – Colorado offensive tackle Nate Solder:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-first-draft/09000d5d81efc4e7/First-Draft-Nate-Solder?module=HP_video

- “First Draft” – Kansas State running back Daniel Thomas:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-first-draft/09000d5d81f01261/First-Draft-Daniel-Thomas?module=HP_video

- Analyst Mike Mayock breaks down Blaine Gabbert and Cam Newton:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-draft/09000d5d81efc19a/Newton-vs-Gabbert

- Who is the top wide receiver: A.J. Green or Julio Jones?:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-draft/09000d5d81efc1cc/Green-vs-Jones

- Analysts Michael Lombardi, Charles Davis and Charley Casserly discuss the pro day performances of UCLA’s Akeem Ayers and Rahim Moore:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-draft/09000d5d81f012c4/UCLA-pro-day-report

- Report from the Texas Pro Day:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-path-to-the-draft/09000d5d81f00edb/Texas-Pro-Day-report

Below is a schedule for what will be covered on Path to the Draft this week:

Wednesday, March 30
- Michael Lombardi reports from Washington’s Pro Day, plus one-on-one interview with Jake Locker
- Bucky Brooks reports from USC’s Pro Day
- Look ahead to North Carolina’s Thursday Pro Day

Thursday, March 31
- Mike Mayock and Paul Burmeister report from North Carolina’s Pro Day
- Interview with North Carolina head coach Butch Davis
- Path to the Draft puts the St. Louis Rams on the clock

Friday, April 1
- Mike Mayock reports on defensive end Da’Quan Bowers’ performance at Clemson’s Pro Day
- UCLA safety Rahim Moore live in-studio
- Path to the Draft puts the Detroit Lions on the clock

Indianapolis Colts Center Jeff Saturday, NFL Network Analyst Michael Lombardi & Actor Rob Riggle Featured on the Latest Edition of ‘The Rich Eisen Podcast’ Available on NFL.com/iTunes
The latest edition of ‘The Rich Eisen Podcast’ is now available for download on NFL.com and iTunes. The show begins with a replay of Eisen’s entire one-on-one interview with Indianapolis Colts center Jeff Saturday, which aired over the course of two days on NFL Total Access. During the 27-minute interview, Saturday offers a detailed account of the labor negotiations, why the NFL Players Association chose to decertify and what lies ahead. Next up, NFL Network analyst Michael Lombardi stops by in-studio to discuss the NFL Draft. Lombardi recounts some of his draft day experiences as a front office executive, explores the Cincinnati Bengals’ possible draft options and what he believes the over-arching story of this year’s draft will be. Finally, actor and comedian Rob Riggle joins the podcast to talk about his latest project: playing former Denver Broncos offensive lineman Mark Schlereth on a CBS pilot. Riggle also touches on the surprise season his favorite team, the Kansas City Chiefs, had in 2010 and spending training camp with Pete Carroll and the Seattle Seahawks.

To download this edition of ‘The Rich Eisen Podcast,’ please visit: http://richeisen.nfl.com/.

- “I think they’re hoping that Cincinnati picks a quarterback, and then the leverage goes back to them. Carson decides to un-retire and shows up and says, ‘Oh by the way Mike [Brown], I’m here to play. Pay me my $13 million but you also have to pay Cam Newton all of his money. You have too much money tied up in quarterbacks, you have to get rid of me at that point.’” – Michael Lombardi on what Carson Palmer and his agent David Dunn’s end-game might be

- “The secondary key is going to be how the defensive linemen come off the board, and they’re all over the place. … And there’s a feeling that I have that somebody picking in the 18, 19, 20 area might get a better defensive lineman than somebody picking up at one or two or three or four.” – Michael Lombardi on the story of this year’s draft

Tampa Bay Storm Host the Jacksonville Sharks on “Arena Football Friday” on April 1 at 8:00 PM ET
The second season of NFL Network’s Arena Football League (AFL) “Arena Football Friday” broadcasts continues on Friday, April 1 at 8:00 PM ET when the Jacksonville Sharks (2-1) travel to take on the Tampa Bay Storm (1-2). Paul Burmeister provides the play-by-play while Charles Davis serves as game analyst. Arie Wolfe provides sideline reports from Amalie Motor Oil Field at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, FL.

Last week on “Arena Football Friday,” the Iowa Barnstormers edged out the defending-ArenaBowl champion Spokane Shock, 43-42, for their first win of the season. Iowa quarterback Brad Banks threw for 244 yards and five touchdowns, outdueling Spokane quarterback Kyle Rowley’s 302 yards and six touchdown performance.

Jacksonville will be looking to extend their winning streak to three games after the Sharks defeated the New Orleans Voodoo last week 64-33. Tampa Bay will look to rebound from a 66-26 home loss to the Cleveland Gladiators.

THIS WEEK ON NFL.COM – Colts Center Jeff Saturday Chats TONIGHT AT 6:00 PM ET

Wednesday, March 30

• CHAT: Charles Davis (4:00 PM ET)
• CHAT: Jeff Saturday (6:00 PM ET)

Thursday, March 31

• CHAT: Steve Wyche (12 NOON ET)
• CHAT: Bucky Brooks (2:00 PM ET)

Friday, April 1

• CHAT: Vic Carucci (12 NOON ET)

DAY-BY-DAY PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE (all times listed are ET)

Wednesday, March 30
4:30 PM – Sound FX: 2010, Week 9
5:00 PM – Sound FX: 2010, Week 10
5:30 PM – Game Changers: Quarterbacks
6:00 PM – Path to the Draft – LIVE
7:00 PM – NFL Total Access
8:00 PM – Top 100: NFL’s Greatest Players: #60-51
9:00 PM – Top 100: NFL’s Greatest Players: #50-41
10:00 PM – Path to the Draft
11:00 PM – NFL Total Access

Thursday, March 31
11:00 AM – Path to the Draft (Wednesday)
12 NOON – Top 100: NFL’s Greatest Players: #60-51
1:00 PM – Top 100: NFL’s Greatest Players: #50-41
2:00 PM – Path to the Draft (Wednesday)
3:00 PM – Super Bowl XXXI: Green Bay Packers vs. New England Patriots
3:30 PM – Super Bowl XXXII: Denver Broncos vs. Green Bay Packers
4:00 PM – Top 100: NFL’s Greatest Players: #60-51
5:00 PM – Top 100: NFL’s Greatest Players: #50-41
6:00 PM – Path to the Draft – LIVE
7:00 PM – NFL Total Access
8:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Records That Will Never Be Broken
9:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Linebacking Corps
10:00 PM – Path to the Draft
11:00 PM – NFL Total Access

Friday, April 1
11:00 AM – Path to the Draft (Thursday)
12 NOON – NFL’s Top 10: Records That Will Never Be Broken
1:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Linebacking Corps
2:00 PM – Path to the Draft (Thursday)
3:00 PM – Super Bowl XXXIII: Denver Broncos vs. Atlanta Falcons
3:30 PM – Super Bowl XXXIV: St. Louis Rams vs. Tennessee Titans
4:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Records That Will Never Be Broken
5:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Linebacking Corps
6:00 PM – Path to the Draft – LIVE
7:00 PM – NFL Total Access
8:00 PM – Arena Football Friday: Jacksonville Sharks vs. Tampa Bay Storm – LIVE
11:00 PM – NFL Total Access

Saturday, April 2
8:00 AM – Path to the Draft (Friday)
9:00 AM – Sound FX: 2010, Week 9
9:30 AM – Sound FX: 2010, Week 10
10:00 AM – Top 100: NFL’s Greatest Players: #60-51
11:00 AM – Top 100: NFL’s Greatest Players: #50-41
12 NOON – Path to the Draft (Monday)
1:00 PM – Path to the Draft (Tuesday)
2:00 PM – Path to the Draft (Wednesday)
3:00 PM – Path to the Draft (Thursday)
4:00 PM – Path to the Draft (Friday)
5:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Records That Will Never Be Broken
6:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Linebacking Corps
7:00 PM – NFL Total Access
8:00 PM – Fans Choice
9:00 PM – Fans Choice
10:00 PM – Fans Choice
11:00 PM – NFL Total Access

Sunday, April 3
8:00 AM – NFL’s Top 10: Opening Days
9:00 AM – NFL’s Top 10: Mobile Quarterbacks
10:00 AM – NFL’s Top 10: Records That Will Never Be Broken
11:00 AM – NFL’s Top 10: Linebacking Corps
12 NOON – Sound FX: Steve Mariucci
12:30 PM – Sound FX: 2010, Week 4
1:00 PM – NFL Replay Real-Time: 2010, Week 4
2:00 PM – NFL Films Presents: Looking Back & Ahead
2:30 PM – NFL Films Presents: Saintsational
3:00 PM – NFL Films Presents: Ray Lewis Coaching Tree
3:30 PM – NFL Films Presents: Living the Dream
4:00 PM – NFL Films Presents: Traveling Many Miles
4:30 PM – NFL Films Presents: Kicking Game
5:00 PM – NFL Films Presents: Ups and Downs of Football
5:30 PM – NFL Films Presents: Andy Reid
6:00 PM – NFL Films Presents: Chew on This
6:30 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Mobile Quarterbacks
7:30 PM – Game Changers: Quarterbacks
8:00 PM – Top 100: NFL’s Greatest Players: #50-41
9:00 PM – Top 100: NFL’s Greatest Players: #40-31
10:00 PM – America’s Game: 1997 Denver Broncos
11:00 PM – America’s Game: 1998 Denver Broncos

Monday, April 4
6:00 AM – America’s Game: 1997 Denver Broncos
7:00 AM – America’s Game: 1998 Denver Broncos
8:00 AM – Top 100: NFL’s Greatest Players: #50-41
9:00 AM – Top 100: NFL’s Greatest Players: #40-31
10:00 AM – America’s Game: 1997 Denver Broncos
11:00 AM – America’s Game: 1998 Denver Broncos
12 NOON – Sound FX: Chad Ochocinco
12:30 PM – NFL Replay: Green Bay Packers vs. Washington Redskins – Week 5, 2010
1:45 PM – NFL Replay: Tennessee Titans vs. Dallas Cowboys – Week 5, 2010
3:00 PM – NFL Replay: Minnesota Vikings vs. New York Jets – Week 5, 2010
4:15 PM – NFL Replay: San Diego Chargers vs. Oakland Raiders – Week 5, 2010
5:30 PM – Sound FX: 2010, Week 5
6:00 PM – Path to the Draft – LIVE
7:00 PM – NFL Total Access
8:00 PM – America’s Game: 1996 Green Bay Packers
9:00 PM – America’s Game: 1985 Chicago Bears
10:00 PM – Path to the Draft
11:00 PM – NFL Total Access

Tuesday, April 5
11:00 AM – Path to the Draft (Monday)
12 NOON – America’s Game: 1996 Green Bay Packers
1:00 PM – America’s Game: 1985 Chicago Bears
2:00 PM – Path to the Draft (Monday)
3:00 PM – Super Bowl XXXV: Baltimore Ravens vs. New York Giants
3:30 PM – Super Bowl XXXVI: New England Patriots vs. St. Louis Rams
4:00 PM – America’s Game: 1996 Green Bay Packers
5:00 PM – America’s Game: 1985 Chicago Bears
6:00 PM – Path to the Draft – LIVE
7:00 PM – NFL Total Access
8:00 PM – Game Changers: Defensive Linemen
8:30 PM – Game Changers: Quarterbacks
9:00 PM – Sound FX: 2010, Week 11
9:30 PM – Sound FX: 2010, Week 12
10:00 PM – Path to the Draft
11:00 PM – NFL Total Access

And that’s it.

NBC Sports Group Covers Its Last PGA Tour Stop For a Short While

NBC Sports which had golf covered for the entire Florida swing now goes to Houston to cover this week’s stop and it will be the last for the NBC Mothership for a while. CBS takes over with The Masters^® next week, then goes for several weeks straight with the PGA Tour. NBC’s sister network, The Golf Channel will forge ahead with its coverage throughout the season, of course. So this week, the Houston Open at the Redstone Golf Club just outside Houston is the stop and we have details of the combined Group’s coverage for this week.

NBC SPORTS GROUP CONCLUDES SOUTHERN SWING WITH COMPLETE-ROUND COVERAGE OF SHELL HOUSTON OPEN THURSDAY-SUNDAY ON GOLF CHANNEL & NBC

World No. 2 Lee Westwood, No. 6 Phil Mickelson & Reigning Shell Champ Anthony Kim Paired in Featured Group on Thursday-Friday

NEW YORK – Mar. 30, 2011 – The NBC Sports Group concludes its 113 live hours of coverage of the PGA TOUR’s six-tournament southern swing with complete-round coverage of the Shell Houston Open from Redstone Golf Club in Humble, Texas this Thursday-Sunday on Golf Channel and NBC.

Redstone purposely tailors its course to mimic Augusta National, benefitting many of the players who are honing their game the week before the first major of the year. On Thursday and Friday, Phil Mickelson, the 2010 Masters champion, will be paired with World No. 2 Lee Westwood and defending SHO champion Anthony Kim in a featured group. All three competed in last year’s Shell and went on to finish 1-3 at Augusta.

Other featured groups include: local favorite Fred Couples, who played at the University of Houston, with rising stars Matt Kuchar and Hunter Mahan; Bob Hope winner Jhonattan Vegas with 2012 Ryder Cup captains Davis Love III and Jose Maria Olazabal; and Transitions champion Gary Woodland with multiple-major winners Ernie Els and Padraig Harrington.

NBC Sports Group will present 16 hours of live complete-round coverage of the tournament. Golf Channel will air live first- and second-round action on Thursday and Friday from 3-6 p.m. ET and will present four additional hours of live action on the weekend beginning at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday and Sunday. The weekend coverage leads directly into “Golf Channel on NBC” (3-6 p.m. ET, both days). Golf Channel will also replay six total hours on Thursday-Friday (9:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. ET).

NBC SPORTS GROUP SCHEDULE (all times ET):

Thursday
First Round 3-6 p.m. (Live) / 9:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. (Replay) Golf Channel

Friday
Second Round 3-6 p.m. (Live) / 9:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. (Replay) Golf Channel

Saturday
Third Round 1-3 p.m. (Live) Golf Channel
Third Round 3-6 p.m. (Live) NBC

Sunday
Final Round 1-3 p.m. (Live) Golf Channel
Final Round 3-6 p.m. (Live) NBC

GOLF CENTRAL: Golf Central will air live from 6-6:30 p.m. ET on Thursday-Friday and 8:30-9 p.m. ET on Saturday-Sunday. Golf Central is Golf Channel’s studio show that provides the only live, daily source for comprehensive and up-to-date news from around the world of golf.

DIGITAL: Fans can access exclusive behind-the-scenes content of the NBC Sports Group’s golf coverage via Facebook (www.facebook.com/golfchannel) and Twitter (@golfchannel). NBCSports.com’s ProGolfTalk will feature previews, recaps and analysis of all the stories and results of the event.

COMMENTATORS: Dan Hicks and Johnny Miller, in their 12^th season together, will anchor ‘Golf Channel on NBC’ coverage Saturday and Sunday from the main tower. Gary Koch and Mark Rolfing will serve as tower reporters while Roger Maltbie and Dottie Pepper will report from the course. Jimmy Roberts will serve as interviewer/essayist.

Brian Hammons and Frank Nobilo will host Golf Channel coverage. Koch (tower), Roberts (tower), Rolfing (tower/course), Maltbie (course) and Pepper (course) will also work Golf Channel’s coverage, joining interviewer Mike Ritz.

ROLFING ON REDSTONE MIMICKING AUGUSTA: “Phil Mickelson is testimony himself to the viability that Redstone mimics Augusta. It’s big for the Europeans, too. They want to get competition in America under their belts and want to experience conditions that are similar to Augusta. Lee Westwood’s participation is the poster child for that.”

ROLFING ON MICKELSON THIS WEEK: “Phil is slowly peaking towards Augusta. The question for him this week is, how much is Augusta on his mind as opposed to Houston?”

There you have it.

MLB Network’s Live Game Schedule For April

MLB Network is going all in for the first month of the 2011 regular season with a live game every day in April. I find that very cool, of course. So the games begin tomorrow and then on Friday, the regular season really kicks off. We have the press release plus the entire game schedule for MLB Network. For all of the games, local blackout rules apply.

MLB Network’s 30 Games, 30 Clubs, 30 Days, a package of 30 live games featuring all 30 clubs in the month of April, begins this Friday, April 1 with the Seattle Mariners visiting the Oakland Athletics at 10:00 p.m. ET. Viewers in select markets will see a matchup between the 2010 World Series champion San Francisco Giants and NL West rival Los Angeles Dodgers live at 10:00 p.m. ET from Dodger Stadium.

MLB Network’s first produced game telecast of 2011 will feature the Boston Red Sox hosting the New York Yankees on Friday, April 8 at 2:00 p.m. ET with MLB Network’s Bob Costas and Jim Kaat calling the game live from Fenway Park.

The complete 30 Games, 30 Clubs, 30 Days schedule is available below. Games will be blacked out in each team’s home television territory unless otherwise announced. Viewers in areas subject to blackouts will be provided with an alternate game telecast or other programming.

Game Date	Time (ET)**	Away Team	Home Team
Fri., April 1	10:00 p.m.	Seattle Mariners	Oakland Athletics
Sat., April 2	8:00 p.m.	Boston Red Sox	Texas Rangers
Tues., April 5	7:00 p.m.	Minnesota Twins	New York Yankees
Wed., April 6	1:30 p.m.	Pittsburgh Pirates	St. Louis Cardinals
Thurs., April 7	12:00 p.m.	Boston Red Sox	Cleveland Indians
Thurs., April 7	7:00 p.m.	Detroit Tigers	Baltimore Orioles
Fri., April 8	2:00 p.m.*	New York Yankees	Boston Red Sox
Fri., April 8	7:30 p.m.	Philadelphia Phillies	Atlanta Braves
Sat., April 9	7:00 p.m.	Chicago Cubs	Milwaukee Brewers
Tues., April 12	7:00 p.m.*	Tampa Bay Rays	Boston Red Sox
Tues., April 12	10:00 p.m.	Los Angeles Dodgers	San Francisco Giants
Wed., April 13	1:00 p.m.	Kansas City Royals	Minnesota Twins
Thurs., April 14	1:00 p.m.	Colorado Rockies	New York Mets
Thurs., April 14	7:00 p.m.	Philadelphia Phillies	Washington Nationals
Fri., April 15	7:00 p.m.	Texas Rangers	New York Yankees
Sat., April 16	7:00 p.m.	San Diego Padres	Houston Astros
Tues., April 19	7:00 p.m.*	Milwaukee Brewers	Philadelphia Phillies
Tues., April 19	10:00 p.m.	Atlanta Braves	Los Angeles Dodgers
Wed., April 20	1:00 p.m.	Milwaukee Brewers	Philadelphia Phillies
Thurs., April 21	12:30 p.m.***	Arizona D-backs	Cincinnati Reds
Thurs., April 21	6:30 p.m.	Chicago White Sox	Tampa Bay Rays
Fri., April 22	8:00 p.m.	Cincinnati Reds	St. Louis Cardinals
Sat., April 23	9:00 p.m.	Boston Red Sox	L.A. Angels of Anaheim
Tues., April 26	7:00 p.m.	Chicago White Sox	New York Yankees
Tues., April 26	10:00 p.m.	Atlanta Braves	San Diego Padres
Wed., April 27	12:00 p.m.	Los Angeles Dodgers	Florida Marlins
Thurs., April 28	2:00 p.m.	Toronto Blue Jays	Texas Rangers
Thurs., April 28	7:00 p.m.*	Chicago White Sox	New York Yankees
Fri., April 29	7:30 p.m.	St. Louis Cardinals	Atlanta Braves
Sat., April 30	7:00 p.m.	Seattle Mariners	Boston Red Sox

* denotes MLBN production, *** denotes MLBN/MLB.com production.
**All times subject to change; Unless otherwise announced, games will be blacked out in each club’s home television territory. In the event of blackouts, viewers will be provided with alternate programming.

And that will do it.

Bringing Out the Wednesday Links

Ok, let’s do the Wednesday linkage. Quite a few things to get to.

We begin with Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal who when we last saw him during the World Series last October, was wearing a bowtie despite his protests to management. Well, we find that Ken will continue wearing a bowtie this season, but rather willingly and for a very good cause.

Craig Calcaterra of NBC’s Hardball Talk applauds Ken for making this true fashion statement.

Now back to Ken, he writes at FoxSports.com that Major League Baseball has to do more to promote its game to a very tech-savvy fandom.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today has a few sports media observations in the Game On! blog.

Also in USA Today’s Game On! Steve Coogan writes that Jennifer Hudson is out from CBS’ One Shining Moment NCAA Tournament final montage.

One more from Game On! Mike McCarthy reviews Charles Barkley’s comments on truTV. It was a joke, people.

I had no idea that the former bassist for Guns ‘N Roses, Jane Addiction and Velvet Revolver, Duff McKagan had his own column at ESPN.com. Well, this is a very touching and well-written column on the late Seattle Mariners voice Dave Niehaus.

ESPN’s corporate blog, Front Row, has now launched and has been churning out pictures since midnight to show “A Day in the Life” at its various offices around the world. I have to say it’s quite fascinating. The pictures will continue to be published until late tonight.

Marisa Guthrie and Lindsay Powers at the Hollywood Reporter discuss ESPN’s Josh Elliot moving to ABC’s Good Morning America replacing the always lovely Juju Chang.

Tim Baysinger of Broadcasting & Cable writes about ESPN’s latest pickup for Baseball Tonight.

R. Thomas Umstead of Multichannel News says ESPN Films will air a documentary on Jack Nicklaus’ iconic 1986 win at The Masters^®.

The great Ryan Ballengee of NBC’s Pro Golf Talk says The Masters^® iPad app will stream all four days of live TV golf coverage next week. That is very cool.

Jack Neff of Advertising Age says Vaseline Men will be unveiling an ad campaign for the NFL Draft.

In Mediaweek, Anthony Crupi says ad buyers are looking for alternatives as the NFL lockout goes longer.

Doron Levin at Fortune notes that Cadillac has quietly returned to sponsoring golf tournaments.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell examines whether the Chicago Cubs made the right call for their public address announcer.

Darren looks at the MLB Fan Cave that has two men watching every single regular season and playoff game this year.

And Darren goes inside the numbers of college football.

All Access says a Muncie, IN radio station is dropping ESPN in favor of Fox Sports Radio.

All Access also discusses Trenni Kusnierek joining a Milwaukee radio station full-time.

Richard Huff of the New York Daily News writes about ESPN’s Josh Elliot leaving SportsCenter to move to Good Morning America.

Newsday’s Neil Best takes a look at Yankees and Mets ticket prices on the resale market.

Pete Dougherty from the Albany Times Union looks at former Phillies pitcher Jamie Moyer joining ESPN.

Ken McMillan of the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record has Fox’s Tim McCarver thoughts on the Mets and Yankees.

Conor Orr at the Newark (NJ) Star-Ledger says ESPN’s Jay Bilas is a man of many talents.

Neal Zoren of the Delaware County Times notes that Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia is ready to cover the Phillies this season.

Dan Steinberg of the DC Sports Bog at the Washington Post is amused with a new Pimlico Raceway ad that acknowledges the infield debauchery during the Preakness Stakes.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner writes that ESPN will be airing a prestigious high school basketball tournament live from the DC area.

Brandon Marcello of the Jackson (MS) Clarion Ledger says Mississippi State University now has the announcers who will replace legendary voice Jack Cristil who retired after the basketball season.

Mel Bracht of the Daily Oklahoman discusses ESPN shaking up its Sunday Night Baseball announcers and adding a new twist to Baseball Tonight.

Doug Zaleski of the Muncie (IN) Star Press notes that a Ball State-Indiana football matchup could end up on ESPN on Labor Day weekend.

Bob Wolfley at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says Fox Sports Wisconsin will add some bells and whistles to its Brewers game productions.

Jon Nyatawa of the Omaha (NE) World-Journal says the Kansas City Royals won’t be heard on local radio this season.

Dusty Saunders of the Denver Post looks at FSN Rocky Mountain changing its name as of Friday.

Lya Wodraska in the Salt Lake Tribune says the University of Utah is open to moving its football games to Sunday in case of an NFL lockout.

Scott D. Pierce of the Tribune looks at FSN Rocky Mountain’s change of name.

Joe Flint of the Los Angeles Times says FX’s plans to carry college football this fall might be part of a larger scheme to increase subscriber fees.

Mike DiGiovanna from the Times says while Fox Sports tested a new overhead camera during last night’s Dodgers-Angels exhibition game, players were concerned that it might be too intrusive.

Mark Hester from The Oregonian notes that ESPN is chock full of spring college football games.

Gretchen Holzang of the Portland Business Journal writes about FSN Northwest’s rebranding on Friday.

To the Toronto Globe and Mail where Bruce Dowbiggin talks with Rogers Sportsnet Blue Jays analyst Greg Zaun.

Sports Media Watch says NASCAR on Fox hit a ratings low for the first time this season.

The Big Lead critiques CBS/Turner’s coverage of the NCAA Tournament.

And we’ll end it there today.

ESPN’s Extensive Multi-Platform Coverage of the 2011 Final Four

ESPN is not carrying the men’s Final Four^®, of course, but it doesn’t mean that it won’t have a presence in Houston for the games. The Alleged Worldwide Leader is sending a full crew to Houston including college basketball host Rece Davis, analysts Digger Phelps, Hubert Davis, Dick Vitale and Jay Bilas, as well as reporters Andy Katz and Mark Schwartz. ESPN will air two editions of College GameDay, one on the day of the Final Four^® and the other on the night of the National Championship Game.

We have full details of ESPN’s/ESPNU’s, ESPNews’, ESPN.com’s and ESPN Radio’s coverage plans for Final Four^® weekend.

ESPN’s Extensive 2011 Men’s Final Four Coverage Includes On-Site Reports from Houston

ESPN will offer extensive multimedia coverage of the NCAA Men’s Final Four, including in-depth analysis, news, interviews and highlights, including:

• Daily SportsCenter and ESPNEWS reports Friday, April 1, to Monday, April 4, two day of game editions of College GameDay and a three-hour College Basketball SportsCenter Special;
• Extensive analysis, several special shows and a marathon of memorable regular-season games;
• Extensive content on ESPN.com, including commentary and analysis, live chats and ESPN.com’s SportsNation polls, plus content via ESPN Mobile Properties.
• Extensive daylong analysis, previews and interviews Saturday and Monday on ESPN Radio.

SportsCenter
ESPN’s season-long men’s college basketball studio host Rece Davis and analysts Digger Phelps and Hubert Davis will provide primary studio analysis from ESPN’s Bristol headquarters. Analysts Dick Vitale and Jay Bilas, who works with Rece Davis, Phelps and Hubert Davis on College GameDay, will provide on-site analysis from Houston. ESPN.com senior writer Andy Katz and reporter Mark Schwarz will cover breaking news and updates from Houston.

Daily SportsCenter segments will begin Friday, April 1 and include interviews with coaches and players, and press conference coverage. SportsCenter shows will also feature pre- and postgame analysis Saturday, April 2 and Monday, April 4. ESPN will also provide analysis between the semifinal games Saturday, April 2 and halftime of the Championship Monday, April 4.

In addition, Katz will conduct an interview with both National Championship game coaches Sunday, April 3 that will air in multiple SportsCenter editions beginning at 6 p.m. ET.

College GameDay Game Day
ESPN will televise two game day editions of College GameDay: a two-hour show Saturday, April 2 at noon previewing the National Semifinal matchups and a three-hour Championship preview Monday, April 4, at 6 p.m. (on ESPN2). Rece Davis will host both programs with analysis from Vitale, Knight, Bilas, Phelps and Hubert Davis. Katz and Schwarz will provide reports on Monday’s College GameDay.

College Basketball SportsCenter Special
ESPN will televise a two-hour College Basketball SportsCenter Special leading up to the National Semifinal games Saturday, April 2, at 4 p.m. Host Rece Davis and analysts Phelps, Hubert Davis, Vitale and Bilas will update storylines and provide an in-depth look at each matchup with keys to the game, players to watch and more.

ESPNU
ESPNU will provide extensive analysis, special shows, marathons and more, highlighted by:

• A special live The Experts: College Basketball Championship Edition Monday, April 4, at 1 p.m. will include a panel of Adrian Branch, Jimmy Dykes, Sean Farnham, Dino Gaudio, Miles Simon and Bob Valvano discussing the National Semifinal matchups and previewing the National Championship.
• Analysts Fran Fraschilla, Mark Gottfried and Gaudio will take viewers behind the scenes and into the film room with the one-hour ESPNU Film Room: Preparing for the Championship. The show will simulate how coaching staffs of the Final Four teams prepare for the games. The former coaches bring fans into the world of preparing for a big game, discussing defending the back screen, stopping the motion offense, dealing with pressures and more. The show will air Wednesday, March 30, at 10 p.m.; Thursday, March 31, at 1 a.m.; Friday, April 1, at 4 p.m. and midnight; and Saturday, April 2, at 11 a.m.
• A special edition of SportsCenterU Friday, April 1, at 2:30 p.m. will feature live coverage of the coaches’ press conferences.
• A unique Sports Science: College Basketball Special will take viewers inside the science of basketball, exploring the science of distraction and the ability for last-second “miracles” to be mathematical. The 30-minute program will also revisit last year’s National Championship game between Butler and Duke and explore the unique skills of women’s basketball stars Maya Moore (Connecticut) and Brittney Griner (Baylor). The show will air Wednesday, March 30, at 9:30 p.m.; Sunday, April 3, at 1:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.; and Monday, April 4, at 1:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
• A special two-hour College Basketball Live: National Championship Special on Monday, April 4, at 5 p.m. will feature host Lowell Galindo and analysts Gaudio, Simon, Branch, Farnham, Dykes and Valvano discussing the title game.
• ESPNU will offer encore presentations of top regular-season games involving the Final Four teams beginning Thursday, March 31, at 2 a.m. with Butler vs. Florida State followed by VCU vs. UCLA at 4 a.m. ESPNU will also provide a marathon on Saturday, April 2 beginning at 1 a.m. (Connecticut vs. Kentucky at 1 a.m., Vanderbilt vs. Kentucky at 2:30 a.m., Connecticut vs. Texas at 4 a.m. and Kentucky vs. Connecticut at 6 a.m.) and another featuring the National Championship game on Monday, April 4, also starting at 1 a.m.

ESPNEWS
ESPNEWS will provide in-depth analysis and previews of the teams and matchups, including the latest news, reports and analysis from top college basketball experts.

ESPN.com and ESPN Mobile
ESPN.com will offer on-site reports, features and video analysis from writers Katz, Pat Forde, Dana O’Neil, Diamond Leung and Eamonn Brennan. Other highlights:

• Vitale and Bilas providing analysis of all Final Four matchups;
• ESPN.com video clips featuring highlights, commentary and more;
• Expert picks on the National Semifinal and Championship games;
• Team breakdowns;
• SportsNation polls and live chats with ESPN experts and sports personalities;
• ESPN Mobile will cover the Final Four with special editorial sections on the industry-leading mobile Web sports site, on-demand video content and analysis via the ESPN Bracket Bound app, ESPN Alerts to deliver up-to-the-minute Final Four scores and news including close game and upset alerts, live GameCast, and more.

ESPN Radio
ESPN Radio will present in-depth previews and postgame analysis throughout Saturday, April 2, on Dari & Mel (8 a.m.-Noon), SportsCenter Saturday (12-3 p.m. and 8 p.m.-midnight), and on Monday, April 4, on the Brian Kenny Show (8-10 p.m.) and SportsCenter Tonight (10 p.m.-midnight). Other regularly scheduled ESPN Radio programming and SportsCenter updates every 20 minutes will present interviews with newsmakers and ESPN college basketball analysts, as well as any breaking news from Houston.

And expect links later on.

truTV’s Last Live Game For The NCAA Tournament

truTV which has seen its profile raised tenfold during the NCAA Tournament will get one last live game and it’s just before the Final Four^® in Houston. On Friday, it will carry the College All-Star Game. CBS/Turner will have Greg Gumbel host the studio show with the NCAA Tournament Atlanta crew of Seth Davis and Steve Smith. Arizona coach Seth Miller will be a guest analyst. And CBS brings in Dave Ryan from CBS College Sports to call the game and he’ll be joined by main studio analyst Greg Anthony.

Details and rosters are below.

truTV to Air College All-Star Game During Final Four Weekend in Houston

Arizona Head Coach Sean Miller will Join truTV’s Studio Coverage as Guest Analyst on Friday

truTV will air the 2011 College All-Star Game on Friday, April 1 during the 2011 MEN’s FINAL FOUR Weekend in Houston.  The night will tip off with NCAA Tip-Off at 5 p.m. (ET), featuring Arizona head coach Sean Miller who will join the studio coverage as a guest analyst alongside host Greg Gumbel and analysts Seth Davis and Steve Smith. The Reese’s College All-Star Game will air at 5:30 p.m. (ET), with Dave Ryan calling play-by-play, Greg Anthony providing analysis and Tracy Wolfson serving as the sideline reporter.  The network’s coverage will conclude with Inside March Madness, featuring Gumbel, Davis, Smith and Miller.

The game will feature two teams of the top collegiate senior student-athletes in the country, including Dwight Hardy (St. John’s), Jacob Pullen (Kansas State), Kenneth Faried (Morehead State), Kalin Lucas (Michigan State), Tristan Thompson (North Texas), Gary Johnson (Texas), Brad Wanamaker (Pitt) and Gary McGhee (Pitt). The full rosters are below.

COLLEGE ALL-STAR GAME SCHEDULE:

DAY/DATE
TIME (ET)	EVENT
Fri., April 1
5 p.m.	NCAA Tip-Off
	Greg Gumbel (host), Seth Davis (analyst), Steve Smith (analyst) and Sean Miller (guest analyst)
5:30 p.m.	College All-Star Game
	Dave Ryan (play-by-play) and Greg Anthony (analyst) with Tracy Wolfson (reporter)
Post-game	Inside March Madness
	Greg Gumbel (host), Seth Davis (analyst), Steve Smith (analyst) and Sean Miller (guest analyst)

WEST ALL-STARS ROSTER

Name                                                 Pos.         Ht.                 Wt         Hometown/College

Andrew Goudelock                    G              6-2                 210         Stone Mtn., Ga./College of Charleston

Tai Wesley                                  F               6-7                 240         Provo, Utah/Utah State

Kenneth Faried                         F/C           6-8                 228         Newark, N.J./Morehead State

Malcolm Thomas                      F               6-9                 220         San Diego, Calif./San Diego State

Kalin Lucas                                G              6-1                 195         Detroit, Mich./Michigan State

Tristan Thompson                   G              6-5                 193         Angleton, Texas/North Texas

Alex Stepheson                        F               6-10               250         Los Angeles, Calif./USC

Mickey McConnell                   G              6-0                 190         Mesa, Ariz./St. Mary’s

Cameron Jones                        G              6-4                 185         Los Angeles, Calif./Northern Arizona

Gary Johnson                          F               6-6                 238         Houston, Texas/Texas

Head Coach: Billy Tubbs    Assistant Coach: Steve McClain

EAST ALL-STARS ROSTER

Name                                                 Pos.         Ht.                 Wt         Hometown/College

Dwight Hardy                          G              6-2                 196         Bronx, N.Y./St. John’s

Lavoy Allen                              F               6-9                 225         Morrisville, Pa./Temple

Brad Wanamaker                    G              6-4                 210         Philadelphia, Pa./Pittsburgh

Chris Warren                           G              5-10               168         Orlando, Fla./Mississippi

Austin Freeman                      G              6-3                 235         Mitchellville, Md./Georgetown

Mike Davis                               F               6-9                 225         Alexandria, Va./Illinois

Gary McGhee                          C              6-11               250         Anderson, Ind./Pittsburgh

Jacob Pullen                             G              6-0                 200         Maywood, Ill./Kansas State

Vlad Moldoveanu                    F               6-9                 215         Bucharest, Romania/American

Jimmy Butler                          F               6-7                 220         Tomball, Texas/Marquette

Head Coach: Bill Foster                 Assistant Coach: Jeff Jones

And that will do it for this post.

Former Phillies Pitcher Jamie Moyer Joins ESPN’s Baseball Tonight

One can make jokes about Jamie Moyer’s age and being the oldest active pitcher through 2010. This year, he’s joining Baseball Tonight as an analyst, but he reserves the right to return to pitching if his rehabilitation of his pitching elbow is successful. If not, Moyer will remain at ESPN through the end of the season.

Jamie Moyer Joins ESPN as Baseball Tonight Analyst

Former Major League Baseball pitcher Jamie Moyer, a 24-year Major League veteran, has joined ESPN as a Baseball Tonight analyst. Moyer will debut tomorrow, Thursday, March 31, contributing to ESPN’s Opening Day coverage (including the midnight ET episode of Baseball Tonight). He will provide analysis on Baseball Tonight throughout the season.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to work at ESPN,” said Moyer.  “It’s a new challenge and I look forward to this forum as a chance to elaborate on the art of pitching as I rehab from injury this season.  I hope to get back on the diamond in the future.”

Moyer, one of baseball’s ironmen, played 24 seasons with seven MLB clubs (Chicago Cubs 1986-88, Texas 89-90, St. Louis 1991, Baltimore 1993-95, Boston 1996, Seattle 1996-2006, Philadelphia 2006-10). Moyer has a career 267-204 record and a 4.24 earned run average.

At the end of the 2010 season, Moyer had tallied 2,045 career strikeouts, which was tops among active pitchers.  In 2008, at age 45, he started his first World Series game as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies (against the Tampa Bay Rays) en route to a World Series championship.

Moyer was an All-Star in 2003, when he notched a career-best 21 wins and a 3.27 earned run average.  He was also named the recipient of the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award in 2003, presented annually to the player who best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual’s contributions to his team.

And that’s it.

It’s The MLB Fan Cave!

After scouring the country and receiving thousands of applications, MLB has selected two men to watch every single game, that’s right, every single regular season game, to the postseason right down to the final out of the World Series. They will chronicle their experiences at MLB.com, be taped for an MLB.com web series produced by reality TV company, Endemol, and also make appearances on MLB Network throughout the season. They’ll be in an apartment that will be seen at street level in New York so passersby can take a look at what they’re doing.

This will be quite interesting. We have details in this press release from MLB.com.

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL INTRODUCES THE MLB FAN CAVE, AN UNPRECEDENTED FAN ENGAGEMENT EXPERIENCE

Winner of MLB Dream Job, Mike O’Hara, to Watch Every Game of 2011 MLB Season in MLB Fan Cave and Star in New Web Series Produced by Endemol USA

Major League Baseball today introduced the MLB Fan Cave (@MLBFanCave on Twitter), a first of its kind immersive fan experience that will take place in a vibrant location in New York City hosting the winner of the MLB dream job, who was chosen from a pool of nearly 10,000 applicants. Starting on Opening Day, the winner, Mike O’Hara, will inhabit the Fan Cave every day for the entire 2011 MLB season along with his Wingman, Ryan Wagner, and will watch all 2,430 regular season games plus every Postseason game while chronicling their experiences and sharing their viewpoints on baseball and pop culture through Facebook, Twitter, a blog on MLB.com, custom videos and regular appearances on MLB Network.

The MLB Fan Cave, located at the corner of 4^th and Broadway (map) in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village, will play host to interactive fan activities; regular visits from MLB players, baseball personalities and celebrities; parties; musical performances; and other events throughout the baseball season. With 32 14-foot windows, O’Hara and Wagner’s every move and all of the events at the MLB Fan Cave will be visible to fans out on the street as well as fans online.

The concept was created by MLB, its new marketing and advertising agency of record Hill Holliday, and production company Endemol USA. Endemol USA will produce a web series, that will be distributed on MLB.com (www.MLBFanCave.com) and sharable through social media, which will chronicle the activities and events at the MLB Fan Cave, as well as O’Hara and Wagner’s daily interactions. Bobby Maurer (The Tom Green Show) will serve as Executive Producer. MLBFanCave.com will be live today with some introductory photos and video and will officially launch on baseball’s Opening Day, March 31.

The MLB Fan Cave was designed and created in consultation with one of the leading designers on ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Paul DiMeo. The MLB Fan Cave is a 15,000 square foot space which will be fully equipped with an array of state-of-the-art media and entertainment technologies.

The centerpieces of O’Hara’s unprecedented attempt at baseball consumption will be 15 LCD HDTV televisions (three 60” screens surrounded by a dozen 32” TVs) that will broadcast every MLB game. In addition to the windows allowing fans to look in, the MLB Fan Cave will feature interactive elements for fans at street level and will be open to the public for free on certain days throughout the season. The MLB Fan Cave schedule of events will be available on MLBFanCave.com and special content will be available within the top-selling mobile application MLB.com At Bat 11.

In addition to the televisions, the MLB Fan Cave will have numerous baseball-inspired elements including a Porch modeled after the Porches that are featured in three MLB ballparks. A list of MLB Fan Cave features is below.

“The MLB Fan Cave will give fans a creative new way to experience Major League Baseball,” said Tim Brosnan, Executive Vice President, Business, Major League Baseball. “This is going to be a real-time experience which brings to life how people consume entertainment in 2011 with baseball at the center of it all. The MLB Fan Cave will be a convergence of baseball with pop culture, social media, technology, celebrity, entertainment, music and art.”

O’Hara (@mikeyoh21 on Twitter), was born in Yonkers, N.Y. and is relocating to Manhattan from Los Angeles, where he has pursued a career in entertainment while performing as lead singer in a punk band, The Mighty Regis, named after Regis Philbin. O’Hara graduated from Syracuse University and decided to move to Los Angeles instead of pursuing a law degree. He has guest starred on multiple television shows, including Parks & Recreation, The Foxx/Crocket Show and the Jo Koy Show, and has been a guest star/writer for MTV’s Punk’d and Short Circuitz and NBC’s The Real Wedding Crashers, among others. His band was part of the 2010 Vans Warped Tour lineup and has been featured on FuseTV and Live! With Regis & Kelly.

Wagner (@rwags614 on Twitter) will serve as O’Hara’s Wingman at the Fan Cave throughout the season. A Baltimore native, Wagner was most recently acting in a touring production of The Wizard of Oz (as Dorothy’s uncle as well as the understudy for the Cowardly Lion). Wagner has seen almost every MLB stadium and has a degree in sports broadcasting from the Broadcasting Institute of Maryland. In 2009, he left his acting career to take an internship at Fox Sports 1370 AM in Baltimore, where he covered the Orioles and conducted pre- and post-game interviews.

Fans will have the opportunity to interact with O’Hara and Wagner on Facebook, Twitter and at the public Fan Cave events. The MLB Fan Cave will feature a wide variety of activities and technologies that will provide visitors and fans with an eclectic, multi-faceted entertainment experience that includes:

• A manual scoreboard atop the entrance on Broadway that will be updated daily to reflect how many MLB games O’Hara has watched along with how many he still has to go.
• A performance window on Broadway that will be host to a variety of live acts for fans.
• Screens facing the street that will display for fans real-time highlights and photos from the day’s games as well as a digital ticker broadcasting real-time tweets from O’Hara, Wagner and others.
• An 18-foot statue depicting Willie Mays’ famous catch in an artistic silhouetted form.
• The windows will feature clings that contain QR codes that fans will be able to scan using their smart phones taking them to various areas of MLBFanCave.com.
• A Music Section that will include a DJ booth, graffiti wall and window displays that will include music playlists of current Major Leaguers.
• A Steiner Sports Collectibles area that will house obscure relics from baseball history including a can of bug spray used on Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain during the infamous “Midge Game” in Cleveland during the 2007 Postseason. The MLB Fan Cave will regularly schedule times for fans to bring in baseball collectibles to have them appraised by Steiner Sports Collectibles founder Brandon Steiner.
• A Personal Style Section that will be highlighted by a barber chair and tattoo chair where fans, by appointment only, will have the opportunity to receive haircuts and get inked by special guest barbers and tattoo artists, respectively. Directly across from the chairs is a closet featuring the latest New Era caps, authentic MLB jerseys by Majestic Athletic and fashionable MLB apparel.
• A Café styled after a 1950’s diner for O’Hara and Wagner to dine in during their stay.
• A Game Room that will include a billiards table, shuffle board and other bar games.
• A pitching alley with a radar gun for visitors to test their pitching speed.
• A Fantasy Baseball Corner where O’Hara and Wagner will stay up-to-date with their fantasy teams.
• An artistic display of home plates for celebrity MLB Fan Cave guests to sign their names.  There will also be an area for visitors to leave mementos during their visit.
• A Google Earth-style map will hang near the TVs with oversized versions of the 30 ballparks.  While games are in-progress, the fields playing host to those games will be illuminated.
• Six PlayStation 3 consoles featuring both MLB ‘11 The Show and Major League Baseball 2K11.

One of the first events at the MLB Fan Cave will be The MLB 2K 11 Perfect Game Challenge on Friday, April 1, where gamers will have the chance to compete to win $1 million if they are the first person to throw a perfect game while playing this season’s MLB 2K11.

O’Hara and Wagner were selected for the MLB dream job through a process that included a video submission, writing samples, interviews on-camera with MLB Network talent, and interviews with MLB executives.

And that is all. Quite a bit of information there.

Sports Illustrated Picks The Red Sox To Win 2011 World Series

The new MLB Preview issue for Sports Illustrated is out and the staff predicts the Boston Red Sox will be this year’s World Series Champion defeating the San Francisco Giants. We have the picks for each league and division below.

MLB Preview: Re-Tooled Red Sox Over the Reigning Champion Giants in the World Series Comes with Complete Scouting Reports of Each Team and Division

(New York – March 29, 2011) – After reloading and priming themselves to be the beasts of the AL East, the Boston Red Sox are Sports Illustrated’s pick to win the 2011 World Series, defeating the reigning champion San Francisco Giants. In addition to our complete divisional and postseason forecasts below, we tell you what the “Best Bets” are for each division and provide detailed scouting reports—as well as Best and Worst Case scenarios—for each team. Play ball!

AL EAST	AL CENTRAL	AL WEST
Red Sox (100-62)	Twins (90-72)	A’s (87-75)
Yankees (92-70)*	Tigers (89-73)	Rangers (85-77)
Rays (84-78)	White Sox (84-78)	Angels (77-85)
Orioles (78-84)	Indians (70-92)	Mariners (63-99)
Blue Jays (77-85)	Royals (67-95)
NL EAST	NL CENTRAL	NL WEST
Phillies (93-69)	Reds (89-73)	Giants (91-71)
Braves (89-73)	Brewers (84-78)	Rockies (90-72)*
Marlins (85-77)	Cubs (81-81)	Dodgers (82-80)
Nationals (75-87)	Cardinals (78-84)	Padres (76-86)
Mets (74-88)	Pirates (65-97)	Diamondbacks (71-91)
	Astros (64-98)
*Wild-card team

DIVISION SERIES
American League	National League
Red Sox over A’s	Phillies over Rockies
Twins over Yankees	Giants over Reds
CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
American League	National League
Red Sox over Twins	Giants over Phillies
WORLD SERIES
Red Sox over Giants

And that will do it.

Primetime & Late Night Viewing Picks

College Basketball
College Basketball Invitational Tournament
Championship Series
Creighton at Oregon – HDNet, 10 p.m.

High School Basketball
All-American Game – ESPN, 10 p.m.

MLB
Florida at New York Mets – MLB Network/SNY, noon
Minnesota at Atlanta – Fox Sports North/SportSouth, noon/MLB Network, 3 p.m.
Cleveland at Columbus Clippers – STO, 1 p.m.
Pittsburgh at Philadelphia – The Comcast Network, 4 p.m.
Toronto at Tampa Bay – Rogers Sportsnet, 4 p.m.
Boston at Houston – MLB Network/NESN, 8 p.m.
Seattle at Los Angeles Dodgers – FSN Northwest, 10 p.m.

Studio 42 with Bob Costas: Pedro Martinez – MLB Network, 7 p.m.

NASCAR
Inside NASCAR – Showtime, 9 p.m.

NBA
New Jersey at New York – ESPN, 7:30 p.m.

NHL
New York Rangers at Buffalo – Versus/MSG 2, 7 p.m.
Montreal at Carolina – TSN/RDS/Fox Sports Carolinas, 7 p.m.
New York Islanders at New Jersey – MSG Plus 2/MSG Plus, 7 p.m.
St. Louis at Detroit – Fox Sports Midwest/Fox Sports Detroit, 7:30 p.m.
Anaheim at Calgary – TSN/Fox Sports West, 9:30 p.m.

NHL on the Fly – NHL Network, 8 p.m.
NHL Overtime – Versus, 11 p.m.

Tennis
Sony Ericsson Open, Men’s & Women’s Quarterfinals – ESPN2, 1 p.m. & 7 p.m.

Entertainment
The Darkness of Day – HBO, 8 p.m.
Survivor: Redemption Island – CBS, 8 p.m.
Ghost Hunters – SyFy, 9 p.m.
Mr. Sunshine – ABC, 9:30 p.m.
Justified – FX, 10 p.m.
Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel – HBO, 10 p.m.
Conan – TBS, 11 p.m.
Late Show with David Letterman – CBS, 11:35 p.m.

Nearly 100 Million People Have Watched Some or All of The NCAA Tournament

This just in from CBS/Turner, actually I got this on Tuesday, but due to the Denial of Service attack on the server that houses this blog (apparently, I was not the target, but this still affected me!), I wasn’t able to post this right away. Because the great people at CBS Sports and Turner Sports have been so diligent in sending me press releases regarding the NCAA Tournament, I don’t want to end my blogging for the night without posting the following information.

Almost 100 million people have watched part or all of the NCAA Tournament on the networks of CBS/Turner Sports. As you’re well aware by now, the Tournament has aired on CBS/TBS/TNT/tru TV. To be exact, 99.9 million represent an 11% increase from the viewership last year when the entire Tournament aired on CBS. It also blows away the previous high from 2005 when 95.6 million people had viewed the games through the regional finals.

Your press release.

NEARLY 100 MILLION VIEWERS WATCH CBS SPORTS’ AND TURNER SPORTS’ COVERAGE DURING FIRST TWO WEEKS OF 2011 NCAA^® DIVISION I MEN’S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

An estimated 99.9 million viewers (Persons 2+) have watched all-or-part of CBS Sports’ and Turner Sports’ coverage of the 2011 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship from the FIRST FOUR^® on Tuesday, March 15 through the Regional Finals on Sunday, March 27, according to a Nielsen cume study. This year marked the first time that all of the games in the tournament were available nationally in their entirety on TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV.

The 99.9 million viewers represent an 11% increase over 89.6 million for CBS Sports’ coverage in 2010 and is higher than any of the all-or-part viewership that occurred in the past 10 years during the first two weeks of the NCAA Tournament on CBS.

The previous high in the past 10 years was in 2005 when 95.6 million viewers watched all-or-part of the coverage in which three of the four Regional Final games on Saturday and Sunday in the second week went to overtime.

The cume study is based on Total Viewers (Persons 2+) who have watched at least six minutes of the NCAA Tournament game coverage in the first two weeks of the event.

And we are done for the night. Back in the morning.

Two of This Year’s Final Four Coaches Join Coach K on Sirius XM

On Wednesday (technically today), Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski will talk college hoops and the Final Four® with Butler coach Brad Stevens and Kentucky coach John Calipari who will both lead their teams to Houston and this year’s NCAA Tournament National Semifinals on Saturday. In addition, Coach K and co-host Dave Sims will interview former Georgetown coach John Thompson, Jr. We have the details of the show which premieres on Wednesday on Sirius XM’s Mad Dog Radio.

Butler’s Brad Stevens, Kentucky’s John Calipari and former Georgetown coach John Thompson Jr. Join Coach K on SiriusXM’s “Basketball and Beyond”

Next edition of Mike Krzyzewski’s weekly talk show debuts Wednesday, March 30 (7pm ET/4 pm PT)

NEW YORK – March 29, 2011 – The next edition of Basketball and Beyond with Coach K, the weekly SiriusXM show hosted by Duke University and U.S. Men’s National Team coach Mike Krzyzewski, will debut Wednesday, March 30 (7:00 pm ET/4:00 pm PT) on Mad Dog Radio (Sirius channel 123 and XM channel 144).

On this week’s program, Coach K’s guests will include two of this year’s Final Four coaches – Butler coach Brad Stevens, whose team is seeking its second consecutive appearance in the National Championship game, and Kentucky coach John Calipari. Coach K will also be joined by Hall of Famer John Thompson, Jr., the legendary former Georgetown head coach who led the Hoyas to the 1984 National Title and three Final Fours.

After Wednesday night’s debut, Basketball and Beyond with Coach K will replay several times including:

• Wednesday, March 30 (11:00 pm ET), and Friday, April 1 (11:00 pm ET) on SiriusXM College Sports Nation (Sirius channel 122 and XM channel 143).
• Saturday, April 2 (7:00 am ET), and Sunday, April 3 (7:00 am ET), on Mad Dog Radio (Sirius channel 123 and XM channel 144).

Basketball and Beyond with Coach K airs weekly throughout the college basketball season and NCAA Tournament. The exclusive show features discussions on a wide array of topical issues, covering the state of college basketball and showcasing Krzyzewski’s personal perspective on principles for life on and off the court, plus interviews with a variety of special guests, including business leaders, entertainers, coaches and athletes. Basketball and Beyond is co-hosted by veteran broadcaster Dave Sims.

And that will do it.

Finally, Our Tuesday Links

Thanks to the server host getting a Denial of Service attack last night, Fang’s Bites has been down for most of the day. Not happy for not being able to blog for most of the day, although I’m back up for now. I apologize for the inconvenience. I’ll give you linkage now and hope you’ll be able to continue to visit throughout the night. And I’ll try to catch up with press releases tonight.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today writes that former CBS bitter curmudgeon college basketball analyst Billy Packer agrees with ESPN’s Jay Bilas in bashing VCU’s selection to the NCAA Tournament.

ESPN’s corporate blog, Front Row has launched before its official midnight unveiling.

John Ourand of Sports Business Journal notes that Turner Sports accomplished its mission by getting fans to find truTV for the NCAA Tournament.

Tom Van Riper of Forbes notes that three DirecTV-owned FSN regional sports networks will be re-branded as of April 1.

Fox Sports’ Brian Lowry says two programs this week won’t forget what the NCAA Tournament is really about.

Royce Young of CBSSports.com notes that ESPN NBA analyst Jalen Rose was arrested earlier this month on DUI charges, something the Mothership is looking into.

Carolyn Giardina of the Hollywood Reporter explains why tonight’s Blackhawks-Bruins game is being transmitted via satellite to CinemaCon in Las Vegas.

Todd Spangler from Multichannel News writes that Time Warner Cable has received cease and desist letters over its iPad app.

Paige Albiniak at Broadcasting & Cable reports that March Madness ate into syndicated TV’s ratings.

To the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center reviews Frontline’s documentary on March Madness.

Marcus Vanderberg from SportsNewser writes that MLB Extra Innings will be free to all for the first week and a half of the season.

Andrew Gauthier at TVSpy notes that a TV live truck got mobbed during the VCU Final Four celebration on Sunday.

At SportsGrid, Dan Fogarty notes that Jay Bilas continues to pound the case that he was right in his VCU assumption.

Joe Favorito says the Cleveland Baseball Team is totally embracing social media.

Joe looks at the ever-shrinking television newscast in the biggest market in the country.

Newsday’s Neil Best has Fox’s Tim McCarver saying that the Wilpon family will have to sell the New York Mets over their off the field troubles.

Neil talks with ESPN’s Bobby Valentine over his new gig.

Keith Groller at the Allentown (PA) Morning Call recaps an appearance by ESPN/ABC’s Matt Millen.

Neal Shaffer of Bmore Media reviews Jen Royle’s tumultuous year after joining MASN and CBS Radio.

Jim Williams from the Washington Examiner talks about the total audience that has viewed at least a portion of the NCAA Tournament.

Tom Jones at the St. Petersburg Times notes that the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg drew decent ratings on Sunday.

Barry Horn from the Dallas Morning News says a local sports radio personality is switching stations.

David Barron at the Houston Chronicle says CBS is bringing back a classic version of “One Shining Moment” next week.

David also has a preview of tomorrow’s Real Sports on HBO.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says Friend of Fang’s Bites Trenni Kusnierek will be joining a local radio station. She had hinted to me that she would be doing something locally after leaving MLB Network. Congrats to her on her new gig.

Bob Young of the Arizona Republic notes that Phoenix Suns voice and longtime network announcer Gary Bender is retiring at the end of the season.

Tom Hoffarth from the Los Angeles Daily News gets predictions on the Dodgers from a couple of network MLB analysts.

Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times says Fox is testing out a new camera during tonight’s Dodgers-Angels game on Fox Sports West.

NHL.com has posted some of the best calls of Edmonton Oilers voice Rod Phillips as he’s calling his final games with the tea.

Sports Media Watch notes that UConn steered ESPN to its highest NCAA Women’s Tournament ratings in eleven years.

The Canadian Sports Media Blog notes that Sunday Night Baseball is back on TSN2 this season.

Chris Byrne of the Eye on Sports Media wonders if CBS could brand the Final Four to draw viewers.

Emmett Jones of Sports Business Journal looks at ESPN Front Row.

And we’re done.

DEVELOPING: ESPN’s Josh Elliot Leaves for GMA

This just tweeted by James Arthur Miller, the co-author of the upcoming tome on ESPN. Josh Elliot, the morning SportsCenter co-anchor with Hannah Storm is leaving to join ABC’s Good Morning America as the news anchor. He replaces Juju Chang who is leaving to go to Nightline.

Elliot has been co-anchoring the 9 a.m. – noon ET block of SportsCenter with Hannah Storm on ESPN since its inception in 2008. He filled in on Good Morning America on Tuesday.

Alex Weprin at TVNewser reports that ESPN is not happy over losing one of its stars to GMA.

Josh joins ESPN alumnus Robin Roberts full-time. Of course, Erin Andrews of ESPN is also contributing to Good Morning America.

We’ll have more on this as it develops.