Diamond Dogs Add Seven TV Dates; MSU-'Bama Twinbill Set Apr. 30
Games added to MSU's TV schedule include Florida at MSU (Apr. 9, 12 p.m.-Comcast), MSU at Arkansas (Apr. 15, 7 p.m.-SportSouth), MSU vs. Ole Miss in Pearl, Miss. (Apr. 19, 6:30 p.m.-Comcast), Alabama at MSU (Apr. 30, 2 p.m.-SportSouth), MSU at Ole Miss (May 13, 7 p.m.-SportSouth), MSU at Ole Miss (May 14, 7 p.m.-SportSouth), and LSU at MSU (May 19-6 p.m.-Comcast). Additional TV games not included in the SEC TV package could also be announced.
SportSouth is televising the first game of a rare Saturday SEC doubleheader between MSU and Alabama Apr. 30 at Dudy Noble Field. The twinbill was necessitated by Friday graduation ceremonies scheduled that weekend at Humphrey Coliseum. It's the first scheduled SEC doubleheader at Dudy Noble Field since 1993.
Earlier this year the SEC announced that two MSU games --- South Carolina at MSU (Apr. 22-7 p.m.) and MSU at Ole Miss (May 12-6:30 p.m.) were included in the SEC's 18-game television package with ESPN and will be shown on ESPNU.
"The success and popularity of baseball in our conference is at an all-time high," said SEC Commissioner Mike Slive. "We are proud to be able to offer this kind of unprecedented exposure to both our teams and our fans."
The league's television package with ESPN, in year two of a 15-year agreement, is derived from broadcasts on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, FOX Sports Net, SportSouth, Comcast Sports Southeast and Cox Sports Television. The SEC's 2010 TV lineup featured 46 games.
"This package moves our baseball exposure to new levels," SEC Consultant for Television Larry Templeton stated. "Baseball in this league will now have viewership increased to heights only seen previously during the College World Series. Fans of SEC Baseball will be able to follow the entire season like never before.
All games played in the SEC Tournament May 25-29 at Regions Park in Hoover, Ala., will also be televised. Three late-season SEC wildcard games (May 13-ESPNU, May 20-Comcast, and May 21-Comcast), with opponents to be announced, are also on the conference TV slate.
MSU appeared in 12 televised games in 2010.
The Bulldogs open their 121st season of baseball next weekend, hosting Akron and Lamar in a three-day, six-game, double round-robin event. Friday's MSU-Akron game, with a 4 p.m. start, launches a season-opening run of 14 consecutive games at Dudy Noble Field, Polk-DeMent Stadium.