MLB 2019 Preview: ESPN Continues To Up Its Virtual Game With More K-Zone 3D, Statcast Graphics The new season promises a packed start, many marquee events By Jason Dachman, Chief Editor
Thursday, March 28, 2019 - 3:04 pm
Print This Story
Story Highlights
As ESPN throws out the first pitch on its 30th season of live Major League Baseball coverage today, the network is more focused than ever on using data and virtual technology to differentiate its coverage and bring the game into the modern era. After committing to using K-Zone live on every pitch in 2015 and using K-Zone 3D on all games last year, ESPN is continuing to find new ways to leverage MLB Advanced Media's growing stable of Statcast data to better visualize the on-field story for viewers at home.
ESPN continues to increase its use of MLBAM's Statcast in its coverage
I think we're in an era when we're moving from interesting surface-level statistical notes to deeper analytics that give you a different level of insight into how the game is being played, says Phil Orlins, senior coordinating producer, MLB. And I'm really excited because we've created a virtual environment to visualize those insights. We've made some big strides on the virtual side with the advancement of K Zone 3D, Hit Tracker, and Statcast live virtual [elements]. As the data keeps advancing, we're going to be able to visualize it in even more-incredible ways moving forward.
Evolution of K-Zone 3D: Miniboards, Hit Track, Deeper Pitch Analysis
Developed by ESPN's Visual Technology Group, K-Zone 3D uses a virtual-camera system and virtual strike zone to create an immersive K-Zone experience. Set inside a virtualized 3D stadium and using MLBAM Statcast data, K-Zone 3D allows ESPN to spin the camera angle anywhere around home plate to offer greater transparency in pitch analysis.
ESPN's K-Zone 3D Hit Track virtual graphic debuted for the 2018 NL Wild Card Game
During last year's NL Wild Card game, ESPN began experimenting with inserting a K-Zone 3D graphic in the scorebug in addition to using it full-screen. Although Orlins says viewers shouldn't expect it during this weekend's Dodgers-Rockies Sunday Night Baseball matchup, ESPN will continue to be aggressive with this tactic as the season progresses.
ESPN also rolled out the K-Zone 3D Hit Track virtual graphic during the 2018 NL Wild Card Game, displaying the launch angle, exit velocity, apex, and distance of a hit as a three-dimensional animation. Just like K-Zone 3D elements, Hit Track graphics are available within a few seconds of the ball's being hit - meaning that they can be incorporated into the first replay sequence after a key hit.
This is all data that came in with Statcast in 2015, so it's by no means new data. But our ability to execute this within the first replay sequence, which we did have at the Wild Card Game with a full vivid three-dimensional animation, is very cool. The data isn't groundbreaking anymore, but the visualization of that in such a short time frame is a huge storytelling tool for us.
ESPN also continues to advance K Zone 3D's ability to visualize the movement of a pitch compared with the league average, using MLB PitchCast data. Though noting that consistent use of these elements is still a couple months away (a half dozen appeared on SNB telecasts last year), Orlins sees a huge benefit to viewers in K-Zone 3D animations' displaying how Yankees reliever Adam Ottavino's devastating slider breaks compared with the MLB average slider at that speed.
It's one of the more complicated tasks to articulate how a pitch curves and sinks; It's not commonly measured for the fans, he says. We continue to work with the Statcast team on a process for essentially creating a standard average pitch speed and shape. We want to be able to compare that with, for example, Max Scherzer's strike-three slider and show that it broke 6 in. more than the average 85-mph slider. That's something we're working aggressively on.
Evolution of Statcast: More Alternative Viewing, Shift to GREMI
ESPN will continue to increase its use of Statcast live virtual graphics beyond the battery as well. Last year, the broadcaster extensively used defensive-positioning charts and heat charts for hitters and also began using steal probability and defensive hot/cold zones for outfielders as the year went on.
ESPN's Statcast live virtual graphics include this real-time graphic displaying steal probability
The most obvious success last year was the defensive-positioning chart and charts showing the different percentages for hitters; those were really effective, says Orlins. We also advanced into the more complicated steal predictor that measures the theoretical steal-success percentage in real time, depending on how big the runner's lead is and his speed. And then we also moved into some outfield graphics showing where outfielders are most and least effective going for balls. You're going to see a lot more of all of that this season.
ESPN2's NL Wild Card Statcast crew: (L-R) play-by-play commentator Jason Benetti; MLB.com Statcast writer Mike Petriello; ESPN MLB analyst Eduardo Perez. (Ben Cafardo/ESPN)
ESPN will also bring back the Statcast-fueled alternative-viewing experience (CLICK HERE for video) - which it produced for the NL Wild Card Game (on ESPN2 and online) and MLB Home Run Derby (on ESPNEWS and online) - for several SNB games this year.
Behind the scenes, the Statcast operator for all ESPN's MLB productions will be located at its Bristol, CT, headquarters as part of the broadcaster's continuing GREMI (graphics remoter integration) model. GREMI - which locates servers/equipment for Vizrt graphics, K-Zone 3D, three EVS replay, and Statcast on the truck with the operators in
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
07/10/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced the latest Long-Term Supported (LTS) release of Dalet Flex. Build...
06/09/2026
June 9 2026, 23:00 (PDT) Dolby and MagentaTV Bring Fans Closer to the FIFA Worl...
19/08/2026
As the cost of IP nears price parity with traditional SDI, Reynolds argues that ...
19/08/2026
A private 5G bubble was chosen instead of traditional broadcast RF for the race ...
19/08/2026
(L-R) Rafael Manuel and Isabel Sicat attend the Filipi ana premiere during the 2026 Sundance Film Festival at The Ray Theatre on January 23, 2026, in Park Cit...
19/08/2026
Studio owners invited to have their say on rates cuts
The Music Producers Guild (MPG) are inviting UK-based studios to take part in an in-depth survey that ...
19/08/2026
Vintage-inspired desktop interface revealed
Harrison's latest hardware offering sees them head into the world of audio interfaces, delivering a 10-in/12...
19/08/2026
Granular effect remains locked to scale and tempo
Described as your dream granular effect , Minimal Audio's latest creation is capable of turning any s...
19/08/2026
First polyphonic SWAM instrument incoming
Audio Modeling's latest physical-modelling orchestral instrument is just around the corner, and is now availab...
19/08/2026
World Cup Games Generate 84 Billion Minutes Across FOX, Fox Sports 1 and NBCU...
19/08/2026
July brought typical peak-holiday drops in viewership, driven primarily by viewers stepping away from screens and a visible decline in reach across both traditi...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Henry joins BCE as the company accelerates its commercial strategy and expands its international presence across the media, broadcast and technology markets. He...
19/08/2026
iWedia, a leading provider of software solutions for connected TV devices, today announced a major milestone in Android platform optimization with the successfu...
19/08/2026
NTP Technology announces that ST 2110-30 audio-over-IP connectivity with AES67 and RAVENNA capabilities is now available for the brand's world-class audio i...
19/08/2026
Net Insight has been selected to provide its Nimbra platform by the service provider Big Blue Marble, formerly ORS Group, as the core media transport solution f...
19/08/2026
LiveU has supported Coventry City FC and several other top-flight UK football clubs through one of their most demanding live production challenges of the year, ...
19/08/2026
Nature Seekers Documentary Shot with Blackmagic URSA Cine 12K LF
Brie Clayton August 18, 2026
0 Comments
Filming endangered turtles required camera...
19/08/2026
Neyrinck Brings D-Control Consoles Back to Life on Apple Silicon with D-Control ...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Riedel Communications today announced that Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Perth, Australia, implemented a comprehensive communications infrastructure that brin...
19/08/2026
QuickLink, a leading provider of award-winning video production and remote guest contribution solutions, will spotlight a major leap forward in remote guest con...
19/08/2026
Integrated platform melds media asset management, playout automation and newsroom workflows
EMAM, PlayBox Neo and SNEWS have officially launched Nuvex, a conne...
19/08/2026
Screen Australia releases the Private Investment Toolkit to strengthen screen in...
19/08/2026
Do Aussies truly value local content? Unpacking Screen Currency 2026 with Deirdr...
19/08/2026
There's an early Christmas gift for Bookish fans, as UKTV confirms the re-commission of the hit U&alibi drama, created by and starring Mark Gatiss. Viewers ...
19/08/2026
Wednesday 19 August 2026
Sky gives sports fans the chance to watch multiple liv...
19/08/2026
On Saturday September 5 Katie Taylor will step into the ring for the fight of her life against Flora Pili in front of 80,000 fans in Croke Park. A legendary fig...
18/08/2026
SportStream 2026, a free three-day virtual event, will take place September 15-17. One registration provides access to all three days of live programming and on...
18/08/2026
BeckTV will introduce BeckFlow to the European market at IBC2026, demonstrated on the Providius stand (10.F53).
BeckFlow is a web-based schematic documentation...
18/08/2026
Boland Communications will introduce a SMPTE ST 2110 input option for its 4K monitors at IBC2026, along with a new 55-inch super-narrow bezel display for video ...
18/08/2026
Dolby Laboratories and the Seattle Seahawks have announced a partnership integrating Dolby OptiView into the Seahawks' live streaming coverage, making the S...
18/08/2026
For BMG Executive Producer of Sports Production, Graham Taylor, producing live s...
18/08/2026
TMRW Sports has appointed Rufus Hack as President of Golf, a newly created role in which he will lead the company's golf businesses including TGL presented ...
18/08/2026
SMT will provide race technology for FOX Sports' coverage of the Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C. on August 23, when the NTT INDYCAR SERIES races ...
18/08/2026
The live, YouTube-native roundtables combine fan voices, credentialed reporters,...
18/08/2026
Behind The Mic provides a roundup of recent news regarding on-air talent, includ...
18/08/2026
The industry legend sounds off on replacing the Heat's iconic Medusa score...
18/08/2026
William F. Rasmussen, the sports fan-turned broadcaster and entrepreneur whose out-of-the-box idea of a 24-hour cable sports network, ESPN, changed forever the ...
18/08/2026
DAZN Group has completed its acquisition of ViewLift, a provider of streaming and digital solutions for sports content owners. The acquisition was first announc...
18/08/2026
The American Association of Professional Baseball (AAPB) has added SI TV, Sports Illustrated's 24/7 streaming channel, as a broadcast partner for the remain...
18/08/2026
The Esports Foundation has announced that the inaugural Esports Nations Cup (ENC), originally scheduled for November 2026 in Riyadh, will be postponed to Novemb...
18/08/2026
Diversified has announced a new Global Managed Services Practice, consolidating the company's managed services capabilities into one organization. Rob Mello...
18/08/2026
Appear has completed a proof of concept with Thoroughbred Racing Productions (TRP), demonstrating multi-camera remote live production over bonded 5G cellular an...
MLB 2019 Preview: ESPN Continues To Up Its Virtual Game With More K-Zone 3D, Statcast Graphics The new season promises a packed start, many marquee events By Jason Dachman, Chief Editor 
