In fact, the latest study from Scarborough Sports Marketing shows over half (53 percent) of American adults are “Avid Fans” of one of these sports. When we eliminate these time-honored sports from the conversation, we are left with an intriguing list of fan favorites which include sports like Figure Skating, Gymnastics, Men’s Golf, High School Sports and Pro Boxing.* Scarborough Sports Marketing defines “Avid Fans” as consumers who are “very interested” and “Fans” as respondents who are “very, somewhat or a little interested” in a given sport.

American sports fans have been opening their minds and wallets to a host of diverse sports. Avid Fans of these sports are often characterized by distinct audience demographics. For instance, 73% of Avid Gymnastics Fans are female and 81% of Avid Figure Skating Fans are female.  This is a unique demographic makeup since Avid Fans of sports like the Olympics, Women’s Tennis and the WNBA – classically “female friendly” sports – are only about 50% female. This notable demographic base helps explain findings such as:  Gymnastics Fans are 53% more likely than all American adults to schedule a spa day, 30% more likely to visit a jewelry store and 33% more likely to visit a bridal store. Similarly, Figure Skating Fans are 28% more likely to visit a florist and 27% more likely to visit a dry cleaner.

Another demographically interesting sport is Pro Boxing. Though European Soccer, Major League Soccer and Mexican Soccer are all leagues with large Hispanic fan bases, Pro Boxing is the non-soccer sports league with the highest percentage of Hispanics among its Avid Fans – 35%. Avid Pro Boxing Fans are also 58% more likely than all American adults to use their smartphones to: listen to or download music, 67% more likely to check sports scores and updates, and a staggering 110% more likely to watch free TV programs.

When we look at the ever-growing domain of competitive Motor Sports, we see another differentiating demographic. Formula One Racing attracts the highest percentage of Avid Fans with $100K in annual household income, more than any of the eight Motor Sports measured. Overall, Formula One Racing Fans are 7% more likely than other motor sports Fans to own homes with $500K+ market values, yet Formula One Racing Fans are also 25% more likely to hold blue collar jobs.

“Looking beyond the obvious can represent new possibilities for advertisers, marketers and other sponsors to reach targeted or key demographic groups,” said Bill Nielsen, vice president, Scarborough Sports Marketing. “The major sports, of course, allow marketers to reach the masses, but if you only focus there you are missing an important opportunity to market to the 37% of Americans who are very interested in sports that fall outside of the usual suspects.”

A local market look shows West Palm Beach, FL represents the top local market** for Figure Skating, with 43% of adults characterized as Fans of the sport. Salt Lake City was overwhelmingly supportive of Gymnastics with 45% Fans and Harlingen, TX is the top market for Pro Boxing with 37% of the market considered Fans.

Scarborough Sports Marketing measures avidity levels for 41 different sports, and the table below summarizes the percentage of American adults who are “Fans” of each. Highlighted in blue are the sports that are consistently high ranking.

* Interviews were conducted between March and August 2011 and therefore may be influenced by seasonality.

** Top local market among the 77 measured markets for adults 18+. For a full listing of measured markets please visit http://scarborough.com/schedule.php.

American and National League All-Star Team managers Ron Washington and Bruce Bochy, in conjunction with Major League Baseball, have announced the candidates for the 2011 All-Star Game Final Vote Sponsored by Sprint (#FinalVote), which is held exclusively on MLB.com, the official Web site of Major League Baseball, and the individual Club Web sites.

Last week, MLB.com finished the voting for the 17 starting position players via the 2011 All-Star Game MLB.com Ballot Sponsored by Sprint in record-setting fashion with 357.5 million votes and 27.4 million ballots, setting the stage for a dramatic, four-day online voting for the two remaining All-Star roster spots among the following 10 players:

American League

Alex Gordon (KC) – #VoteAlex
Adam Jones (BAL) – #VoteAdam
Paul Konerko (CWS) – #PaulStar
Victor Martinez (DET) – #VoteVictor
Ben Zobrist (TB) – #helpZogo

National League

Andre Ethier (LAD) – #VoteAndre
Todd Helton (COL) – #VoteHelton
Ian Kennedy (ARI) – #VoteIanIn
Mike Morse (WAS) – #VoteMorse
Shane Victorino (PHI) – #voteforshane

Fans began casting votes for the 2011 All-Star Game Final Vote Sponsored by Sprint on MLB.com and the Club sites immediately following today’s Major League Baseball All-Star Selection Show presented by Taco Bell on TBS and can continue until balloting concludes at 4 p.m. (EDT) on Thursday, July 7. The winners, as chosen exclusively by online fan voting totals, will be announced on MLB.com shortly thereafter.

Mobile voting for U.S. residents is available by sending “VOTE” to 89269 to receive the 2011 All-Star Game Sprint Final Vote ballot. In Canada, fans should text “VOTE” to 65246. Msg&Data rates may apply.

FINAL VOTE CAMPAIGN MANAGER

MLB.com also will launch the 2011 All-Star Game Campaign Headquarters, which gives fans the chance to join a campaign for any of the 10 candidates and compete to become that player’s online “Campaign Manager.”

After completing the 2011 All-Star Game Final Vote Sponsored by Sprint, fans are presented with the option to support the campaign of either of the two players for whom they just voted. When a player is chosen, MLB.com will track every vote that fan helps generate for that specific player, whether it comes from Facebook, Twitter or MLB.com links forwarded. The fans generating the most votes will be ranked on that player’s campaign page.

ALL-STAR GAME FINAL VOTE CELEBRATES 10th YEAR

The All-Star Game Final Vote program has seen over 250 million votes cast since its inception in 2002. In recognition of this milepost, MLB.com is giving eligible voters a 10-day free trial of MLB.TV from July 9-19, 2011. Fans will receive an e-mail notifying them of the instructions for redeeming this All-Star Final Vote offer.

Also, MLB.com and its partner Jib Jab, the leader in personalized entertainment, have introduced a specially-created Starring You^® campaign featuring each League’s five Final Vote candidates in a humorous, animated video of the traditional seventh-inning stretch song, “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.”

Fans can watch the candidates’ Starring You^® videos and then cast their online votes for the 2011 All-Star Game Final Vote Sponsored by Sprint here. They then can create their own free Starring You^® video where they can choose their favorite teams and insert photos of themselves, family and friends. The videos, including those featuring the 10 All-Star Game Final Vote candidates, are embeddable and can be shared via e-mail and through social network platforms such as Twitter and Facebook. For complete details, visit MLB.com/jibjab.

The 82nd Major League Baseball All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and Sportsnet HD and Le Reseau des Sports, and around the world by Major League Baseball International, with pregame ceremonies beginning at 8:00 p.m. (EDT)/5:00 p.m. (local). For more information, please visit allstargame.com or dbacks.com/asg.

All-Star Game Final Vote Candidates – Historical Listing

(*All-Star Final Vote winner)

American League

Jeremy Bonderman (2007 DET)
Eric Byrnes (2003 OAK)
Eric Chavez (2002 OAK)
Carl Crawford (2005 TB)
Johnny Damon (2002 BOS*)
Jermaine Dye (2008 CWS)
Darin Erstad (2002 ANA)
Kelvim Escobar (2007 LAA)
Chone Figgins (2009 LAA)
Lew Ford (2004 MIN)
Jason Giambi (2003 NYY, 2008 NYY)
Jose Guillen (2008 KC)
Travis Hafner (2004 CLE, 2006 CLE)
Roy Halladay (2007 TOR)
Ramon Hernandez (2006 BAL)
Torii Hunter (2005 MIN)
Brandon Inge (2009 DET*)
Derek Jeter (2005 NYY)
Ian Kinsler (2009 TEX)
Paul Konerko (2004 CWS, 2010 CWS)
Adam Lind (2009 TOR)
Francisco Liriano (2006 MIN)
Evan Longoria (2008 TB*)
Hideki Matsui (2004 NYY*, 2005 NYY)
Bengie Molina (2003 ANA)
Pat Neshek (2007 MIN)
Hideki Okajima (2007 BOS*)
Magglio Ordonez (2002 CWS)
Carlos Pena (2009 TB)
A.J. Pierzynski (2006 CWS*)
Scott Podsednik (2005 CWS*)
Brian Roberts (2008 BAL)
Nick Swisher (2010 NYY*)
Frank Thomas (2003 CWS, 2004 CWS)
Jim Thome (2002 CLE)
Jason Varitek (2003 BOS*)
Justin Verlander (2006 DET)
Kevin Youkilis (2010 BOS)
Delmon Young (2010 MIN)
Michael Young (2010 TEX)

National League

Bobby Abreu (2004 PHI*, 2006 PHI)
Heath Bell (2010 SD)
Pat Burrell (2008 PHI)
Orlando Cabrera (2003 MON)
Chris Capuano (2006 MIL)
Luis Castillo (2003 FLA)
Steve Finley (2004 ARI)
Nomar Garciaparra (2006 LAD*)
Brian Giles (2002 PIT)
Carlos Gonzalez (2010 COL)
Tom Gorzelanny (2007 PIT)
Cristian Guzman (2009 WAS)
Corey Hart (2008 MIL*)
Trevor Hoffman (2005 SD)
Geoff Jenkins (2003 MIL*)
Andruw Jones (2002 ATL*)
Matt Kemp (2009 LAD)
Jason Kendall (2004 PIT)
Ryan Klesko (2002 SD)
Carlos Lee (2008 HOU)
Kenny Lofton (2003 PIT)
Brett Myers (2005 PHI)
Roy Oswalt (2005 HOU*, 2007 HOU)
Corey Patterson (2003 CHI)
Juan Pierre (2004 FLA)
Albert Pujols (2002 STL)
Aramis Ramirez (2004 CHI)
Mark Reynolds (2009 ARI)
Aaron Rowand (2008 SF)
Pablo Sandoval (2009 SF)
Benito Santiago (2003 SF)
Shane Victorino (2009 PHI*)
Joey Votto (2010 CIN*)
Billy Wagner (2005 PHI, 2006 NYM, 2010 ATL)
Larry Walker (2002 COL)
Brandon Webb (2005 ARI, 2007 ARI)
David Wright (2008 NYM)
Chris Young (2006 SD, 2007 SD*)
Carlos Zambrano (2007 CHI)
Ryan Zimmerman (2010 WAS)

“We are gratified fans responded so favorably to the material changes we made this off-season across our web sites, mobile applications and live game products,” said Dinn Mann, Executive Vice President, Content, MLB.com. “As we do every season, we will continue to develop and deploy additional technology and content offerings to further daily fan engagement with the game.”

Among the traffic records established at MLB.com during the first days of the season (March 31 – April 19) include:

• Fans watched 7 million video streams per day during the season’s opening 20 days, including 1 million live video streams per day.

• MLB.com averaged 11.5 million visitors per day, representing an increase of 17 percent from 2010 (9.8 million), highlighted by its single-highest visited day ever in the month of April with 13 million visitors on Friday, April 8.

• MLB.com averaged 122 million page views per day, 48% higher than the comparable 2010 average, and reached 2 billion page views earlier than ever before.

• MLB.com’s mobile sites have totaled 992 million page views across all Internet-enabled devices, a 138% increase from the 2010 season’s first 20 days.

• At Bat 11, the #1 selling suite of mobile applications available on iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, Android and BlackBerry, has been accessed 35 million times since Opening Day, a daily average of 1.75 million accesses and a 115 percent increase over the 2010 comparable time period.

“Fans have continued to demonstrate, in record numbers, their desire to consume live baseball in the most convenient ways possible,” said Noah Garden, Executive Vice President, Revenue, MLB.com. “We remain committed to expanding MLB.TV for our subscribers by leveraging emerging technological platforms and partnerships that deliver a rich experience.”

In 2011, fans will be able to follow every game wherever they are with MLB.TV support across a variety of mobile and connected platforms, including iPhone, iPod touch, iPad and Android devices through the top-selling MLB.com At Bat apps for each and Sony PS3 and other connected devices. Additional platform offerings for MLB.TV live streaming will be announced as they become available.

Along with portability, this year’s product offers subscribers a host of cutting-edge features in the award-winning MLB.TV media player, delivering a dynamic live viewing experience for every out-of-market regular season game. Those include:

• HD Quality Picture – Speed detection technology delivers live high definition video at the industry standard of 720p on any size monitor.
• Home and Away Feeds – Watch either the home or away teams’ broadcasts.
• Alternate Audio Options – Overlay the home or away teams’ radio broadcasts over the live video or use the “Park” option to include the ballpark’s natural sounds.
• Live Game DVR Functionality – Pause and rewind or fast-forward live games.
• Clickable Linescores – Go directly to any at-bat or half-inning of a game.
• Multi-Game Viewing Options – Watch up to four games simultaneously.
• Picture-in-Picture – Choose one game and track another or watch in-game highlights simultaneously in a secondary window.
• Live Game Highlights – Real-time highlights and player stats automatically load into the media player. With one click, the clip instantly launches in a picture-in-picture window.
• Player Tracker – Customize a list to feature entire fantasy rosters and receive on-deck notifications to watch live at-bat look-ins for each player.
• Spring Training – Watch about 150 live games from Florida and Arizona.

The 35-year-old native of Columbus, Ga., made his major league debut with the Oakland Athletics in 1999. Since joining the Braves just prior to the 2005 season, Hudson has become a staple in the team’s pitching rotation. In 2008 Hudson underwent an extensive reconstructive surgery on his right elbow, but he returned to become more dominant than ever during the 2010 season, earning his third All-Star selection.

Hudson said he is honored to win the Hutch Award and anticipates his upcoming visit to Seattle and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, founded by Fred’s brother Bill, a prominent Seattle surgeon, after Fred died of cancer at age 45.

“My wife Kim and I have seen firsthand the devastation that a cancer diagnosis can have on a family,” Hudson said. “We intend to do all that we can to help to find a cure.”

On and off the field, Hudson has a heart for children living with a life-altering or terminal disease. The Hudson Family Foundation, launched in 2009 by Hudson and his wife, helps kids and their families ease the financial burdens of critical illnesses. The Hudsons support the Make-A-Wish Foundation, helping fulfill the wishes of critically ill children by hosting their visits to Atlanta’s Turner Field and chairing major fundraisers. In addition, the Hudsons partner with The Moyer Foundation, founded by major league pitcher Jamie Moyer and his wife, Karen, to expand the reach of Camp Erin, a bereavement camp for children age 6-17 who have experienced the death of a loved one.

“We are so thankful to have been placed in a position to be able to help children and families in need,” Hudson said. “We know that we are here to serve others.”

When Hudson comes to Seattle to receive his Hutch Award, he will visit the Hutch School, an accredited education program for cancer patients and young family members of patients. Joining him will be broadcast analyst and baseball Hall-of-Famer Joe Morgan, who will be the keynote speaker at the Hutch Award Luncheon on Jan. 26 at Safeco Field in Seattle.

The Hutch Award recipient is selected annually through a vote of all surviving former awardees. A total of 45 players have been honored since 1965, when Mickey Mantle accepted the inaugural award. Baseball Hall-of-Famers Sandy Koufax, Carl Yastrzemski, Willie McCovey and Lou Brock all received the Hutch Award; in more recent years Jamie Moyer, Craig Biggio, Mike Sweeney, Jon Lester and Mark Teahen have joined their ranks.

The Hutch Award will be presented to Hudson at the Jan. 26 luncheon, which raises vital funds for early cancer detection research at the Hutchinson Center. For more information or to register for the luncheon, visit www.fhcrc.org/hutchaward.

At Bat 2010, MLB.com’s industry-leading mobile application, won for Best Mobile Video. The application offers subscribers on iPhone, iPod touch and iPad access to their MLB.TV subscriptions to watch the live home and away broadcast feeds for every out-of-market regular season game and get access to an array of enhanced features such as statistical overlays and controls to pause or rewind live game action. At Bat 2010 also offers the At Bat.TV Free Game of the Day, subject to blackout restrictions.

At Bat 2010 for iPad, the most recent addition to MLB.com’s lineup of At Bat mobile applications, was named Best iPad Branded App. Launched in April 2010, At Bat 2010 for iPad introduced baseball fans to a live game simulation designed exclusively for the device’s larger and more powerful multi-touch screen. Subscribers can customize their in-game experience with access to live home and away radio broadcasts, video highlights, and detailed box scores, game summaries and player cards.

MLB.com’s mobile web site, wap.mlb.com, earned finalist honors in the category of Best Mobile Website. The MOBI Awards, presented by DIGIDAY, recognize overall excellence and breakthrough achievement in mobile media, marketing and advertising.

MLB.com At Bat 2010 is available from the App Store on iPhone, iPod touch and iPad or at www.itunes.com/appstore/.

SIRIUS XM Radio will embark on its 2010 Spring Training Tour on Friday, March 5, taking listeners to 30 Major League Baseball Spring Training sites in three weeks. MLB Home Plate, SIRIUS XM’s 24-hour baseball talk channel, and Mad Dog Radio, SIRIUS XM’s all-sports talk channel, will broadcast live from ballparks in Arizona and Florida, offering baseball fans an in-depth look at every Major League club and one-on-one interviews with managers, players and team executives.

On MLB Home Plate (XM channel 175, SIRIUS channel 210 with the “Best of XM”), Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr., former Reds and Nationals general manager Jim Bowden, former Rangers and Red Sox manager Kevin Kennedy, and host Casey Stern will cover Arizona’s Cactus League, hosting Inside Pitch (1:00-4:00 pm ET/10:00am-1:00pm PT) from 10 ballparks in and around the Phoenix area from March 5-14. In Florida to cover the Grapefruit League, from March 15-24, will be MLB Home Plate hosts Jim Duquette, the former GM of the Orioles and Mets, former All-Star pitcher Rob Dibble, and host Jody McDonald, who will host Power Alley (10:00am-1:00pm ET/7:00-10:00am PT) from 10 Spring Training sites.

On Mad Dog Radio (SIRIUS channel 123, XM channel 144), Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo will host his daily all-sports talk show, Mad Dog Unleashed, from five Florida Spring Training locations from March 8-12. From March 22-26, Russo will host the show from five different Arizona sites. Mad Dog Unleashed airs every weekday (2:00-7:00 pm ET).

2010 SIRIUS XM Radio Spring Training Tour Schedule: (All times ET)

Friday, Mar. 5
– Dodgers @ White Sox – The Ballpark at Camelback Ranch, Glendale, AZ 1-4pm ET: Inside Pitch with Casey Stern & Cal Ripken Jr.

Saturday, Mar. 6
– Royals @ Rangers – Surprise Stadium, Surprise, AZ 1-4pm ET: Inside Pitch with Casey Stern & Kevin Kennedy

Sunday, Mar. 7
– Padres @ Mariners – Peoria Sports Complex, Peoria, AZ 1-4pm ET: Inside Pitch with Casey Stern & Kevin Kennedy

Monday, Mar. 8
– Indians @ Diamondbacks – Tucson Electric Park, Tucson, AZ 1-4pm ET: Inside Pitch with Casey Stern & Kevin Kennedy
– Cardinals @ Red Sox – City of Palms Park, Fort Myers, FL 2-7 pm ET: Mad Dog Unleashed with Chris Russo

Tuesday, Mar. 9
– Rockies @ Dodgers – The Ballpark at Camelback Ranch, Glendale, AZ 1-4pm ET: Inside Pitch with Casey Stern & Kevin Kennedy
– Pirates @ Yankees – Steinbrenner Field, Tampa, FL 2-7 pm ET: Mad Dog Unleashed with Chris Russo

Wednesday, Mar. 10
– Giants @ Cubs – HoHoKam Park, Mesa, AZ 1-4pm ET: Inside Pitch with Casey Stern & Jim Bowden
– Mets @ Braves – Champion Stadium, Kissimmee, FL 2-7 pm ET: Mad Dog Unleashed with Chris Russo

Thursday, Mar. 11
– Athletics @ Brewers – Maryvale Baseball Park, Phoenix, AZ 1-4pm ET: Inside Pitch with Casey Stern & Jim Bowden
– Orioles @ Twins – Lee County Sports Complex – Hammond Stadium, Ft. Myers, FL 2-7 pm ET: Mad Dog Unleashed with Chris Russo

Friday, Mar. 12
– Reds @ Dodgers – The Ballpark at Camelback Ranch, Glendale, AZ 1-4pm ET: Inside Pitch with Casey Stern & Jim Bowden
– Phillies @ Rays – Charlotte Sports Park, Port Charlotte, FL 2-7 pm ET: Mad Dog Unleashed with Chris Russo

Saturday, Mar. 13
– Rangers @ Indians – Goodyear Ballpark, Goodyear, AZ 1-4pm ET: Inside Pitch with Casey Stern & Jim Bowden

Sunday, Mar. 14
– Cubs @ Angels – Tempe Diablo Stadium, Tempe, AZ 1-4pm ET: Inside Pitch with Casey Stern & Jim Bowden

Monday, Mar. 15
– Orioles @ Red Sox – City of Palms Park, Fort Myers, FL 10am-1pm ET: Power Alley with Jody McDonald & Jim Duquette

Tuesday, Mar. 16
– Tigers @ Phillies – Bright House Field, Clearwater, FL 10am-1pm ET: Power Alley with Jody McDonald & Jim Duquette

Wednesday, Mar. 17
– Twins @ Rays – Charlotte Sports Park, Port Charlotte, FL 10am-1pm ET: Power Alley with Jody McDonald & Jim Duquette

Thursday, Mar. 18
– Pirates @ Twins – Lee County Sports Complex – Hammond Stadium, Ft. Myers, FL 10am-1pm ET: Power Alley with Jody McDonald & Jim Duquette

Friday, Mar. 19
– Blue Jays @ Astros – Osceola County Stadium, Kissimmee, FL 10am-1pm ET: Power Alley with Jody McDonald & Jim Duquette

Saturday, Mar. 20
– Mets @ Cardinals – Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter, FL 10am-1pm ET: Power Alley with Jim Duquette

Sunday, Mar. 21
– Tigers @ Yankees – Tampa, FL 1-4pm ET: Power Alley with Jim Duquette

Monday, Mar. 22
– Mets @ Nationals – Space Coast Stadium, Viera, FL 10am-1pm ET: Power Alley with Jim Duquette & Rob Dibble
– Angels @ Dodgers – The Ballpark at Camelback Ranch, Glendale, AZ 2-7 pm ET: Mad Dog Unleashed with Chris Russo

Tuesday, Mar. 23
– Orioles @ Marlins – Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter, FL 10am-1pm ET: Power Alley with Jim Duquette & Rob Dibble
– Padres @ Rockies – Hi Corbett Field, Tucson, AZ 2-7 pm ET: Mad Dog Unleashed with Chris Russo

Wednesday, Mar. 24
– Phillies @ Braves – Champion Stadium, Kissimmee, FL 10am-1pm ET: Power Alley with Jim Duquette & Cal Ripken Jr.
– Giants @ Reds – Goodyear Ballpark, Goodyear, AZ 2-7 pm ET: Mad Dog Unleashed with Chris Russo

Thursday, Mar. 25
– Mariners @ Indians – Goodyear Ballpark, Goodyear, AZ 2-7 pm ET: Mad Dog Unleashed with Chris Russo

Friday, Mar. 26
– Athletics @ Cubs – HoHoKam Park, Mesa, AZ 2-7 pm ET: Mad Dog Unleashed with Chris Russo

MLB Home Plate is available to listeners nationwide on XM channel 175 and SIRIUS channel 210 with the “Best of XM.” Visit www.xmradio.com/mlb for programming info.

Mad Dog Radio airs nationwide on SIRIUS channel 123 and XM channel 144. Visit www.sirius.com/maddogradio for programming info.

“MLBAM has undertaken groundbreaking work to make its web sites accessible and has assumed a strong leadership position among sports, media and entertainment properties in doing so,” said Mitch Pomerantz, President of the American Council of the Blind. “We certainly urge similar sites to make this level of commitment in following MLBAM’s lead.”

As part of its initiative, MLB.com launched an accessible media center for its MLB.com Gameday Audio(TM) subscribers, offering features such as volume control, ability to choose the home or away feed and access to archived games. Additionally, MLB.com has ensured that fans with visual impairments can continue to participate in the annual online voting programs associated with the All-Star Game and will be providing an accessibility page on its site detailing information on accessibility, usability tips and customer service resources. As it continues to deliver technological innovations for following baseball games, MLB.com will make additional accessibility enhancements available to fans with visual impairments.

Brian Charlson, a Boston baseball fan and Director of Computer Training Services at the Carroll Center for the Blind in Newton, Massachusetts, described how MLB.com’s accessibility efforts have improved his enjoyment of the game: “As a member of the blind community, the kind of changes MLB.com was willing to make on its web sites keeps me coming back for more. It shows how much can be done when people with disabilities find willing partners. For example, with the changes in Gameday Audio, I find myself enjoying switching back and forth between the home and away broadcasters the same way my sighted friends do. And knowing my votes were counted in this year’s All-Star balloting made listening to the game much more meaningful. I’m excited about what MLB.com has done and about its commitment to further improvements.”

MLB.com utilized guidelines issued by the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). The web content accessibility guidelines are of particular benefit to blind baseball fans who use a screen reader, through which information on a page is read aloud, or magnification technology on their computers and who rely on a keyboard instead of a mouse.

Source: MLB.com

MLB.com, the official Web site of Major League Baseball, announced that the eighth season of MLB.TV, one of the largest subscription video offerings on the Internet, is now available at http://www.mlb.tv/ with portability for the upcoming 2010 season.

In addition to the PC-based accessibility more than two million subscribers have enjoyed over the past seven seasons, fans for the first time will be able to take a complete season of 2,430 games on MLB.TV wherever they go through a variety of interactive media platforms, including the newly unveiled Apple iPad and the MLB.com At Bat 2010 app for iPhone and iPod touch mobile devices. Additional platform offerings for live streaming are expected to be announced and available to subscribers for Opening Day.

The 2010 MLB.TV media player will deliver a fleet of enhancements in a convenient, cutting-edge Adobe Flash format, offering an unparalleled live viewing experience for every out-of-market regular season game.

In addition to portability, some of the features available in 2010 MLB.TV include:

HD Quality Picture – MLB.com’s proprietary speed detection allows high-speed users to receive live high definition video at the industry standard of 720p on any size monitor.

Home and Away Feeds - Watch or listen to either the home or away teams’ broadcasts.

Live Game DVR Functionality – Pause and rewind or fast-forward live games.

Clickable Linescores – Go directly to any half-inning to watch only that portion of the game.

Multi-Game Viewing Options - Watch up to four games simultaneously.

Picture-in-Picture – Choose one game and track another or watch in-game highlights simultaneously in a secondary window.

Live Game Highlights - Real-time highlights and player stats automatically load into the media player. With one click, the clip instantly launches in a picture-in-picture window.

Player Tracker - Customize alerts to feature entire fantasy rosters or just a list of favorite players. Subscribers will be notified any time a listed player is on deck. Click the real-time alert to watch live at-bat look-ins.

Spring Training – Watch more than 150 live games from Florida and Arizona as teams prepare for the 2010 season.

Source: MLB.com

“These year-end awards are a privilege to present and have grown in importance, both in terms of fan participation and in how they are received by the winners,” said Dinn Mann, Executive Vice President, Content, and Editor-in-Chief, MLB.com. “We are grateful for every vote, and more, for the platform to celebrate greatness in baseball and to continue to identify ways to expand this significant, deserved recognition.”

A complete list of 2009 winners is below:
Hitter of the Year: Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins (.365, 28 HR, 96 RBIs)
Starting Pitcher of the Year: Zack Greinke, Kansas City Royals (16-8, 2.16 ERA, 242 Ks)
Closer of the Year: Mariano Rivera, New York Yankees (44 SV, 1.76 ERA)
Setup Man of the Year: Jeremy Affeldt, San Francisco Giants (74 G, 1.73 ERA)
Rookie of the Year: J.A. Happ, Philadelphia Phillies (12-4, 2.93 ERA)
Manager of the Year: Jim Tracy, Colorado Rockies (92-70, NL Wild Card)
Executive of the Year: Ruben Amaro Jr., Philadelphia Phillies (93-69, NL East champs)
Defensive Player of the Year: Jacoby Ellsbury, Boston Red Sox (.994 FPCT)
Unsung Star of the Year: Jayson Werth, Philadelphia Phillies (36 HR, 99 RBIs, 20 SB)
Performance of the Year: Mark Buehrle, Chicago White Sox (Perfect game, 7/23)
Play of the Year: Dewayne Wise, Chicago White Sox (Catch preserved perfect game, 7/23)
Moment of the Year: Derek Jeter, New York Yankees (Passed Gehrig for NYY hits, 9/11)
Postseason Moment of the Year: Johnny Damon, New York Yankees (WS Game 4)
Oddity of the Year: Phillies fanatic (Dad’s catch thrown back by daughter, 9/15)

A special, first-ever X-Factor of the Year was awarded to former Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Juan Pierre through a media-only vote by MLB.com editors, reporters and multimedia personnel. In 2010, this category will be added to the overall voting process. The 2010 This Year in Baseball Awards will include additional exciting enhancements to be unveiled at a later date.

Awards will be presented individually to this year’s winners in on-field pre-game ceremonies during the 2010 regular season.

Source: MLB.com