BBC hits a Grand Slam with the new MLB Bases Covered format -

I wasn’t allowed to use the headline “OMG MLB on BBC is TDB,” but there is not enough attention given to the new tweaked format of MLB games on the BBC.

Last weekend’s clash between the Baltimore Orioles and the Detroit Tigers was possibly the best baseball coverage we have ever had in the UK. Hyperbole? Maybe, but it was damn good.

It certainly helped that the fixture featured two of the most exciting teams of the season. The Tigers are still pushing for a Wild Card spot, which seemed unlikely considering they spent most of the season in fourth place in the division. And they are so young! At 29 years old, Detroit’s catcher Jake Rogers was easily the lineup’s elder statesman. Six of the hitters on display were 24 or younger. The future is bright in Michigan.

Although not mathematically safe at the start of the game, the Orioles have all but clinched their playoff spot, ensuring that we will enjoy Gunnar Henderson, Anthony Santander, and Cedric Mullins in October.

The other thing that went in favour of the broadcasters was the competitiveness of the game. Detroit took an early 3-0 lead but were pegged back to 3-3 before Kerry Carpenter’s solo homer gave the Tigers the lead again. Despite Baltimore’s pressure, Detroit’s defence had brought its A-game and they secured this much-needed win.

However, within the aspects that the broadcaster could control, they smashed it out of the park.

Firstly, the commentary trio of Melanie Newman, Xavier Scruggs, and Felix White have the perfect dynamic. Felix asks the questions that many fans are too embarrassed to pose, and Mel and X answer so concisely that it educates newbies without being condescending to veteran baseball fans.

On numerous occasions, the trio were able to inform newcomers and established baseball fans in the same snippet. For instance, Detroit employed an Opener. Mel explained the term and usage of an Opener before throwing in that the 2024 Detroit Tigers have used an Opener more than any other team in history. #ThanksMel

Also, I knew that the Orioles’ starter Albert Suarez was having a decent sub-4:00 ERA season, but I didn’t realise he was the brother of Robert Suarez, the Padres’ closer. Another #ThanksMel

Mel then effortlessly described the different aspects of the scoreboard—which is no mean feat; try it yourself. It was a work of art that neither complicated nor patronised viewers.

Obviously, there was a focus towards British viewers, but having Jimmy Anderson join the discussion was a sensational addition, regardless of your nationality. When you have one of the greatest bowlers in history comment on baseball, all sports fans have to listen. His fascination with MLB was evident, and his bowling/pitching insights were compelling.

The third of The Tailenders team, Greg James, sounded like he was on the verge of a baseball addiction. Thankfully, following the Mets will probably help kick the habit.

I was shouting at the screen during a frustrating panel conversation comparing why baseball players wear mitts and cricketers don’t. Belatedly, X threw some science into the discussion, but I fear it won’t inform the multitudes who comment on the BBC website every time there is a baseball feature.

Although the game was only an hour old, I suddenly realised that I was enjoying the coverage far more than almost any other game. It doesn’t matter the sport; I have a very low threshold for commentators, so the Mel, X, and Felix trio were definitely doing something right.

Mel’s style is very accessible. She explained, “American League Central has suddenly caught the attention of a lot of people after being one of those … sleepier divisions for a couple of years.” Sleepier was a better choice than some other “S” words that would also have been appropriate.

The baseball/cricket comparisons kept coming when Harry Brook joined the discussion. Again, I was enthralled with his contributions, especially his thoughts about how there is a trend in cricket to set up with a baseball stance, and how he improved his baseball hitting by taking the ball earlier.

One of the highlights of the night was Felix posing a cheeky question to the England captain on whether, given Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million contract, he would consider switching sports. Harry dodged the dangerous delivery with, “Obviously, money is a nice thing, but no, cricket is my dream.”

I tried to put myself in the position of a baseball newcomer instead of a baseball fanatic, and it’s difficult to imagine that a newbie wouldn’t get hooked on MLB straight away. The only downside is that Mel could literally persuade anyone to become an Orioles fan… and we don’t need more of those in the UK.

Watch out for more MLB Bases Covered on BBC (and BBC iPlayer). The next edition is at 8:00pm on Sunday 29 September.

Article by Gav Tramps. Gav quit Twitter X with frustration at the platform’s unwillingness to address its promotion of toxic content, but you can still find him on Instagram and Threads, and of course, via the website.

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