Error on UPN for dropped ball

For a second straight season the Detroit Tigers will not have a local T.V. contract. Upn and the WBwill not carry any games locally.  "The current economic climate, combined with our commitment to our core entertainment programming, make a commitment to Tigers baseball unworkable this year," said Linda Danna, WKBD's senior vice president and general manager last season.

This season is no different. To many Tigers fans it remains to be a mystery how the Tigers don't have a local presence. Fox Sports Detroit is setting a new high in games shown this season at 112. The WB was thought to have interest even last year but has not picked up any games. This means that 50 games will not be on T.V. unless they are on WGN (chicago) or ESPN. With the line up UPN has, the talent could all be wrapped up in one night in comparison to the option of producing 30 games. Steven Gay of Rochester Hills said "What happened to the days when you could kick back and listen to George and Al, or tune in Ernie on the radio? How do they expect to increase the fan base and get people backing the team again if you can't watch them on TV? It also gives the people who can not afford to go to the game a chance to keep up with their favorite hometown team."

The Tigers will be better this season. The Tigers have some young talent and a new manager and fans are eager to see them. Steve Chandler of Canton said "I think that it's a shame that the Tigers can't put together a contract with one of the local channels and since they took them off WJR you can't hear it half the time on the radio. If they did strike a deal with one of the local networks we would be able to see the games in high definition if you have that type of TV." Another of the problems is the radio signal isn't near what it once was. WJR can be heard all along the Great Lakes. You could be camping up north and hear the Tigers game on the radio. Now you may lose them by the time you get to Livonia.

The biggest disappointment in the situation is once again, you, the fan lose on this deal. The Tigers have maintained a large fan base through some trying times. There could be a generational gap they will have to deal with because of the team having a losing record for well over a decade. Now isn't the time to scale back a presence. In this town we support the big six teams (Pistons, Lions, Red Wings, Tigers, Spartans, and Wolverines)every year. The Lions have had more issues than any of them and all 20 games (includes pre-season) are on T.V. locally. Tomas Lopez of Detroit said "I think it's ridiculous....baseball to me is about being able to hear the game on the radio as well as watching it on your LOCAL TV station. I grew up to the voices of George Kell, Al Kaline and Ernie Harwell and now I just think it's wrong when we miss 1/3 of the seasons games because of cable contracts. Baseball is getting away from its roots ." This needs to be resolved in order to reintroduce the Tigers into fans lives. Baseball roots are like an old oak tree, they run very deep. And when Summer comes the tree is blooming.


Fox Sports Detroit will carry all the games this year locally. According to Fox Sports Detroit's website this season they will broadcast the following:

•At least one telecast from each of the 52 series on the Tigers schedule.
•50 games against their Central Division counterparts - Chicago White Sox (15), Minnesota Twins (13), Cleveland Indians (12), Kansas City Royals (10).
•A total of 12 telecasts featuring the perennial powers of the AL East - New York Yankees (6), Boston Red Sox (6).
•A strong lineup of 15 inter-league contests including games against the Cincinnati Reds (3), Chicago Cubs (2), Milwaukee Brewers (2), St. Louis Cardinals (3), Houston Astros (2) and Pittsburgh Pirates (3).
•Holiday telecasts on Memorial Day, May 29 vs. New York Yankees and Independence Day, July 4 at Oakland Athletics.
•The Tigers final game of the season, Oct. 1 vs. Kansas City.
A one-hour TIGERS SEASON PREVIEW special premieres Saturday, April 1 at 6:00 PM