UCLA's "excellent camera positions for television coverage"

From Cauble's thread the other day:

Poster: Honkus

quote:

---

Michael what would the NCAA think about the latest response I've received from the SID @ UCLA re: CST bidding to televise the regional...

quote:
At this point, I would say no because it would be a real problem for us to accomodate it.


it seems like UCLA is doing everything they can to keep the regional off TV, it's my understanding that it isn't UCLAs decision, but the NCAAs, am I right?

---

Per UCLA's website overview of Jackie Robinson Stadium:

quote:

---

Steele Field at Jackie Robinson Stadium opened its 28th season as UCLA's home baseball field this spring after having undergone significant renovations the past two years. Thanks to a major lead gift from the Steele Foundation in the summer of 2007, the baseball program was able to install a state-of-the-art, major-league playing surface in January 2008. UCLA dedicated the field at Jackie Robinson Stadium in honor of the Steele Foundation on May 3, 2008, prior to a game against Arizona State.

In addition to a renovated field surface, UCLA improved its field lighting in May 2008, allowing the facility to maintain standards needed to host an NCAA Super Regional. Jackie Robinson Stadium's renovated field surface and brighter lights will allow the facility to field one of the cleanest and best surfaces in college baseball.

Prior to the 2007 season, UCLA installed a major-league quality net behind home plate, improving sightlines for fans and television crews. Other major improvements have included the addition of over 1,000 chairback seats with cupholders in February 2006. The stadium welcomed a new hitter's eye, draped above the center field wall, and the Bruins' scoreboard received a well-deserved face lift.

The main press box, located behind home plate, is flanked by two radio/television booths and provides space for media covering the Bruins. Excellent camera positions for television coverage are located atop both dugouts and on the concourse level. Controls for the professional public address system, electronic scoreboard and lighting systems are located in the main press box. The snack stand is located above the first base stands along with public restrooms.

---

Ryan Rosenblatt contradicts the school's claim that they have "excellent camera positions for television coverage."

quote:

---

After being passed over by ESPN for television coverage, UCLA will not provide streaming video for this weekend's Regional so those not at the stadium will not be able to watch anything. Still trying to figure out why ESPN passed over the LA Regional, but some have speculated facilities making television production tough and a small capacity that won't look as good on TV.

---

Ryan later replies to a comment on bruinsnation.com:

From: "fanoverboard"

quote:

---

They’re careful to distinguish between the Bruin team, which they respect, and its stadium, which they think is laughable as a regional host site. The Tigers play in Box stadium, which seats around 10,000 and has the look of a scaled-down major league ballpark, complete with luxury suites, an elaborate club lounge, multiple concession stands, etc. All that is irrelevant to what’s happening on the field, of course, which in this case will be Bruins throwing strikes and pounding out hits . . . but still. They do have a helluva stadium.

---

Ryan's reply:

quote:

---

Many more teams that LSU laugh at our facilities. It’s not too uncommon in the Pac-10, let alone in the South where the faciltiies are incredible. I mean, we don’t even have streaming video so those LSU fans are rightfully pissed that they can’t watch the games.

---

So Ryan, if you're out there tonight, what's the deal? I follow college baseball pretty closely, and although UCLA doesn't have the greatest venue, the school's athletics website boasts accommodations for televising and/or streaming the games. I understand Los Angeles is a huge media market, and professional sports trump college sports, unless it's USC football. I just want to know why UCLA is so reluctant to at least stream the games online.