Road Trips Ruled Out for MLB Broadcast Crews

Whenever Major League Baseball returns this season, at least half of all game broadcasts will be done remotely, according to cbssports.com.

Bruce Levine of WSCR 670 The Score reports MLB has informed announcers (both TV and radio) that they will not travel this season, and will instead broadcast road games remotely.

Several networks have experimented with remote broadcasts in recent years, particularly with international play. ESPN has been broadcasting Korea Baseball Organization games remotely the last few weeks.

It can be a bit awkward at times, and it's harder for announcers to talk to players to get background information for a story, but by and large remote broadcasts work just fine.

All MLB announcers( TV and radio) have been told they will be doing all 2020  road games from a  local broadcast studio or home ballpark with monitors as their guide.

NJ.com's Bob Klapisch reports the Yankees are considering broadcasting all their games remotely this season. YES Network television broadcasts would be conducted at the network's studios in Connecticut, and WFAN radio broadcasts would be done at their studios in Manhattan. The only exception might be a television field reporter at the ballpark.

"[Major League Baseball] would like to have as few people inside the Stadium as possible," YES Network executive John Filippelli told Klapisch.

Broadcasters typically travel with the team and reducing the size of the traveling party makes it safer for everyone. Also, because announcers tend to be older (retired players, etc.), many are at heightened risk of serious complications from COVID-19. It only makes sense to limit their travel and reduce risk.