Men's College World Series 2022: ESPN To Deploy Top-Tier Technology for Championship Series in Omaha Corner cams, drone, UmpCam capture the action in hard-to-see places By Kristian Hern ndez, Associate Editor
Friday, June 24, 2022 - 9:00 am
Print This Story | Subscribe
Story Highlights
The 2022 Men's College World Series (MCWS) has been defined by two themes: programs that fulfilled the public's preseason hopes by clinching a spot as a ranked team and those that have shocked the college-baseball world as an unranked squad. With the final best-of-three series between Ole Miss and Oklahoma this weekend, ESPN will showcase the National Championship matchup with a handful of top-tier technologies, including Corner Cams, UmpCam, an aerial drone, and Technocrane.
Corner Cams in left field and right field shoot balls hit down the line.
Covering the Field: Corner Cams, UmpCam, Drone Seek Out the Nooks and Crannies Baseball fields come in all shapes and sizes, and, for any production, it's sometimes difficult to track balls hit into the odd nooks and crannies of a ballpark. Balls hit to dead center field and the power alleys in left center-field and right center-field gaps are easier to follow, but those shot into the corners are a much harder task.
UmpCam is made possible by DreamChip Technologies and RF connectivity from 3G Wireless. (Photo: Bob Flanagan/ESPN Images)
With this in mind, ESPN has deployed a pair of Corner Cams: two C360 cameras positioned at where the outfield and foul-line walls meet. These cameras can capture balls that are hit down the line and rattle up against either wall, leaping catches made at the fence, and plays that go into foul territory. A third C360 camera, similar to the two Corner Cams, has been installed at a position 8-10 ft. high on the third-base side with a direct shot of the first-base line.
They have a really good view of the entire field, says Phil Orlins, VP, production, ESPN. The upside of these cameras is the ability to get the exact framing and composition that we want after a play is over.
A DJI Inspire 2 drone with a DJI Zenmuse X7 camera is flying overhead in Omaha.
Mounted on the helmet of each home-plate umpire, UmpCam will take viewers behind the dish and into the shoes of the officials making the crucial calls during each nine-inning game. A staple at previous Men's College World Series, the device comprises a DreamChip Technologies camera and RF connectivity through 3G Wireless. Although incapable of withstanding blunt force created by a foul ball from close range, the UmpCam is designed to handle inclement weather and remain in its desired position even with the umpire's head movement. Offering unique angles for the main linear broadcast and an alternative viewing option for the ESPN app, UmpCam is built to last for the drawn-out nature of baseball.
We have a close receive site that allows us to ride on low power and gives us more than two hours of life on a single battery, adds Orlins. It also eliminates the heat [emanating from the camera], which is significant with the summer weather that we have here.
A Technocrane is positioned in the left-field concourse. (Photo: Bob Flanagan/ESPN Images)
In the air, the broadcaster will once again fly a drone during certain moments of the game. Piloted by camera operator Mike Shea, a DJI Inspire 2 drone equipped with a DJI Zenmuse X7 camera and connected to the compound via TVU will be flown from three specific locations: rooftops of surrounding hotels, in and around the parking lot of the stadium, and next to the exterior rim of the ballpark. This ESPN-owned and -operated drone will be used live coming in and out of commercials for beauty shots of downtown Omaha.
Best of the Rest: Technocrane, Onfield Mics Round Out the Onsite Tech Corner Cams, UmpCam, and a drone may be stealing the technological headlines, but ESPN will highlight the activity at Charles Schwab Field in a big way. Stationed in the left-field concourse, a Technocrane will add another angle to each matchup. In a deployment similar to its use for the Women's College World Series (WCWS) in Oklahoma City, the ultra-extended jib will showcase slow-moving and sweeping views of the field and the energy of each game near the left-field foul pole.
Two RF handhelds are in use, including one shallow-depth-of-field camera.
Aside from these high-profile cameras, the production team will tap other notable tech for the series. Rounding out the 20-camera show are four super-slo-mos, two RF handhelds (including one shallow-depth-of-field), three active robos, and various Marshall POVs dispersed throughout the playing field and behind-the-scenes areas.
On the audio side, ESPN's presentation of the MCWS final will include nearly 100 microphones. The complement of 75 effects mics will be deployed on umpires, on bases, and in the dirt near critical areas, such as the pitcher's mound and home plate.
Near the Technocrane in the left-field concourse, the SEC Network has a presence to represent its schools in the tournament. During the earlier rounds of the MCWS, SEC Now with Alyssa Lang, Peter Burns, and Todd Walker set up shop in an onsite studio. Following the elimination of No. 14 Auburn, Arkansas, and No. 5 Texas A&M, Ole Miss is the last SEC team in the competition, which means that SEC Now with Dari Nowkhah, David Dellucci, and Walker will be in Omaha for pre/postgame coverage.
We'll also be using [the set] for our preview show before the finals on Friday, says Orlins.
Inside the Compound: NEP Parks Multiple Trucks at Charles Schwab Field The compound in Omaha houses a full onsite crew. For the main production, NEP Supershooter 6, Supershooter 22B, Supershooter 16, and ST6 are on hand. Because of logistics and Supershooter 6's proximity to the main stage in Omaha, the first of
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
06/05/2026
Gravity Media Chief RF Communications Engineer Glenn Willems uses Wisycom RF over Fiber and wireless solutions across major cycling events and international mar...
06/05/2026
A Sennheiser Spectera module is now available in Bitfocus Companion and Buttons, enabling direct integration of Spectera with the two software platforms. The mo...
06/05/2026
Ted Turner, the visionary media entrepreneur whose appetite for disruption helpe...
06/05/2026
Peacock is going all-in on the beautiful game - streaming all 104 FIFA World Cup...
06/05/2026
New pricing tiers for vocal/dialogue restoration tool
NoiseWorks Audio's AI-powered vocal and dialogue processing plug-in is now available in three diff...
06/05/2026
Popular mixing & routing software overhauled
Following a recent public beta test, RME have launched the final release version of the powerful mixing and rou...
06/05/2026
New SOS Video Feature
Focusrites ISA C8X is a milestone product that brings together the companys analogue heritage and their expertise in digital audio. Yo...
06/05/2026
Polands Miecznik-class frigates are part of the largest contract in Polish shipbuilding history. (Image Credit: PGZ Stocznia Wojenna)...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Riedel Communications today announced the expansion of its leadership structure as part of a strategic initiative to strengthen both its operational management ...
06/05/2026
For nearly three decades, Veteran Production Sound Mixer and Five-time Emmy Award Winner Dirk Sciarrotta has helped define the sonic identity of the long-runnin...
06/05/2026
ZEISS CinCraft LensCore: Cinema Lens Looks for Compositing
Brie Clayton May 6, 2026
0 Comments
ZEISS announces the launch of CinCraft LensCore, a nove...
06/05/2026
Wisycom Solves Extreme RF Challenges Across Miles of Live Action for Gravity Med...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Narrative Entertainment has partnered with Encompass to deliver high-quality subtitling of its Great! network content using the Altitude Intelligence AI assiste...
06/05/2026
SipRadius, widely recognized for making content processing and connectivity secure and seamless, is proud to launch a dramatic new approach to AI content creati...
06/05/2026
When the broadband and media industry gathers at ANGA COM in Cologne from May 19 to 21, Big Blue Marble will be at the forefront. The international broadcast an...
06/05/2026
Cinegy GmbH, a leading developer of software-defined television technology, is proud to exhibit at MPTS for the first time. Visitors to the stand will discover ...
06/05/2026
Val Jeanty Receives 2026 Doris Duke Artist Award Jeanty, a composer, percussionist, and turntablist, is the fourth Berklee recipient of the prestigious award ...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
When live cycling races and international marathons stretch for miles across cities and countryside, there is no margin for RF failure in live broadcast. As Chi...
06/05/2026
Oberkochen/Germany, May 5, 2026
ZEISS announces the launch of CinCraft LensCore, a novel solution for creating physically based cinematic lens looks for visual...
06/05/2026
06 May 2026
VEON's Kyivstar Authorized to Resell Starlink for Businesses & ...
06/05/2026
UKTV has secured the exclusive rights to the early back catalogue of iconic Australian drama series Neighbours, following a landmark content deal with Fremantle...
06/05/2026
Wednesday 6 May 2026
Sky commissions feature documentary to mark 10th anniversa...
06/05/2026
Wednesday 6 May 2026
Sky and Formula 1 agree long-term partnership across UK, Ireland and Italy
Sky in the UK & Ireland to remain the home of Formula 1 until ...
06/05/2026
Sky Zero Footprint Fund-backed TV campaign launches nationwide, supported by new...
06/05/2026
Wuppertal May 6, 2026
Riedel Expands Leadership Structure, Appoints Marc Engro...
06/05/2026
SAN JOSE, Calif. - May 6, 2026 - Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT) today announced its latest broadband innovations for ANGA COM 2026, highlighting its vision for a new e...
06/05/2026
Statement from Rupert Murdoch, Chairman Emeritus, Fox Corporation on Ted Turner&...
06/05/2026
Friday 8 May on RT One and RT Player
Meet the NSPCA team caring for and protecting animals in need in this six-part series
Fly on the wall, six-part series...
06/05/2026
The race to build the world's most powerful AI factories demands networking ...
06/05/2026
How changes to proteins can alter drug interactions for new precision therapies Scripps Research team maps how chemical modifications to proteins affect drug bi...
05/05/2026
Experts from the world of academia, tech, business, politics and media convened for a Thomson Talks at the Cambridge Disinformation Summit in April. It's th...
05/05/2026
Three phones were hardwired for power and transmission to the truck; camera feat...
05/05/2026
The creative studio behind campaigns for the NBA, Fanatics Sportsbook & Casino, ...
05/05/2026
Nielsen has announced results from a co-viewing pilot program covering February&...
05/05/2026
viztrick AiDi, an on-device AI solution developed by Nippon TV, delivered global...
05/05/2026
ARRI has announced Omnibar, a battery-powered, IP65-rated multi-color LED linear...
05/05/2026
Imagine Communications has announced that France T l visions is the first broadc...
05/05/2026
The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and Bell Media today announced a multiyear agreement to broadcast and stream WNBA games in Canada beginni...
Men's College World Series 2022: ESPN To Deploy Top-Tier Technology for Championship Series in Omaha Corner cams, drone, UmpCam capture the action in hard-to-see places By Kristian Hern ndez, Associate Editor 
