Live From National Baseball Hall of Fame Induction: Cooperstown Is at the Heart of MLB Network's Coverage The broadcaster has immortalized the game's greats since 2009 By Kristian Hern ndez, Senior Editor Monday, July 28, 2025 - 12:09 pm
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For passionate baseball fans, the village of Cooperstown, NY, inspires clich s that exude excellence: it's rarefied air for a few, hallowed ground for some, and a bucket-list item for many. The National Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, the town's annual shining moment during one weekend in July, has been aired by MLB Network since the broadcaster launched in 2009. Whether conquering connectivity issues, creating contingency plans for inclement weather, or finding new ways to communicate the essence of the place, the broadcaster overcomes a litany of obstacles to share the special day and the special place with the baseball world.
Everything we do has a touch of this town in it, says Chris Roenbeck, coordinating producer, MLB Network. We try to convey the feeling of this historic place throughout our many hours of coverage.
Cooperstown Connection: Mobile TV Group, Freedom Broadcast Group Link to Secaucus From left: Greg Amsinger, Harold Reynolds, and Tom Verducci on the set at the 2025 National Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
Nestled next to picturesque Otsego Lake, Cooperstown is a tantalizing retreat. Though ideal for respite and revival, however, its position in the heart of the state's hilly terrain and thick forest does not make it conducive for an important live broadcast like the National Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. To ensure that viewers from across the country can witness the induction of the next class of all-time greats - New York Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia, Seattle Mariners and Japanese baseball legend Ichiro Suzuki, Houston Astros closer Billy Wagner, and posthumous inductees Oakland Athletics outfielder Dave Parker and Philadelphia Phillies infielder Dick Allen - MLB Network tapped trusted mobile-unit providers for reliable connectivity.
Mobile TV Group 39Flex was used to produce Sunday's Hall of Fame Induction. (Photo: Amanda Rodriguez/MLB PR)
At Clark Sports Center, which has housed the ceremony since 1992, Mobile TV Group 39Flex powered the live broadcast for the first time, with graphics supplied remotely from Secaucus, NJ. The lead production truck in a non-traditional broadcast compound, 39Flex was parked next to CES Power's onsite generator, which ensured that all facilities work at an operable temperature, and Freedom Broadcast Group Constitution for transmission.
Inside 39Flex during the ceremony. (Photo: Amanda Rodriguez/MLB PR)
Less than 10 miles north, Freedom Broadcast Group Colonial was parked next to Alice Busch Opera Theater, site of the Hall of Fame Awards Presentation on Saturday evening. Besides handling that production, the truck was ready to serve as a backup in case weather canceled the outdoor Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. With fans seated in a wide-open field In the middle of the summer, high winds and lighting strikes could have jeopardized the event. If the New York State Police had determined that the ceremony could not proceed without risk of harm, the crew was ready to establish a functioning broadcast setup and restart it without much delay.
CES Power was onsite to provide cooling and generator needs in Cooperstown.
In addition, the ceremony came on the heels of one of MLB Network's most complex multi-day stretches on its calendar: MLB All-Star. A ton of activations, including the MLB Draft, in the host city offered various points for failure and confusion. The team passed the tests with flying colors, but, with Sunday's celebration in Cooperstown only two weeks after Day 1 of the 2025 MLB Draft in Atlanta, crew burnout was a possibility.
However, led by MLB Network Senior Production Managers Lacey Rockefeller and David Beun, the crew was able to set up ahead of time for operations personnel - including VP, Remote Operations, Tom Guidice and Technical Manager Kelly Karsch-Bournes - arriving from Atlanta. MLB Network's onsite crew, which totaled fewer than 100 credentialed staffers, comprised 25 freelancers from Syracuse who have worked on the production for 20 years.
Freedom Broadcast Group Constitution handled transmission needs.
MLB Network's operations team also enabled an international broadcaster to satisfy Suzuki fans. NHK was on hand to highlight his speech before being enshrined in the Hall. As with many of MLB Network's workflows for world-feed-style shows at major events - MLB All-Star, the World Series, regular-season games played overseas - MLB Senior Director, Technical Production and Special Projects, Jason Hedgcock provided resources to the Tokyo-based broadcaster.
They were looking for our assistance since we have the best [camera] positions, says Guidice. We needed to work together on getting them our feed onsite.
MLB Network reporter Jon Morosi (left) interviews Hall of Famer George Brett during the Parade of Legends on Saturday.
For the Parade of Legends on Saturday, MLB Network relied on LiveU bonded cellular. Livestreamed on MLB.com, the parade took Hall of Fame members down Lake Street, past throngs of fans on Main Street, to the steps of the museum. Reporter Jon Morosi stood by for conversations with the living legends.
A raised platform with two hard cameras was MLB Network's main shot of the proceedings.
Prior to the procession, at the Hall of Fame Awards Presentation, Thomas Boswell received the Baseball Writers' Association of America's Career Excellence Award, Tom Hamilton received the Ford C. Frick Award, and Cleveland's American League pennant winners in 1995 were recognized. The event also was livestreamed
