Ballpark TV camera positions (esp. centerfield)

[hofflalu]

This is somewhat inspired by a thread going on at twinsballpark2010.com, about potential centerfield camera locations.

Anyway, (as you may notice, I posted a similar question at that site as well), I've always wondered why the Yankee Stadium center-field camera from at least 1976 to sometime in the '80s was positioned to the *right-field side* of dead center, instead of to the left-field side like pretty much every other TV camera position in baseball (not counting the ESPN "Dead Center" cameras). Every time I see a clip of a game broadcast from Yankee Stadium from that era, I can't help but notice that distinct camera angle.

So, questions:

1. Why did Yankee Stadium have this different centerfield camera position? Did it have to do with the renovation? Was it experimental since centerfield camera were still relatively new?

2. Exactly how long was the camera in that position, and what year did the Yankees switch to the conventional position on the left-field side of dead center?

3. Any other stadiums have a similar camera angle?

This thread I suppose can be used for a general discussion of camera placement in stadiums (the thread on twinsballpark2010.com is quite informative). For example, when were centerfield camera first used in game broadcats?

[dabx]

This is somewhat inspired by a thread going on at twinsballpark2010.com, about potential centerfield camera locations.

Anyway, (as you may notice, I posted a similar question at that site as well), I've always wondered why the Yankee Stadium center-field camera from at least 1976 to sometime in the '80s was positioned to the *right-field side* of dead center, instead of to the left-field side like pretty much every other TV camera position in baseball (not counting the ESPN "Dead Center" cameras). Every time I see a clip of a game broadcast from Yankee Stadium from that era, I can't help but notice that distinct camera angle.

So, questions:

1. Why did Yankee Stadium have this different centerfield camera position? Did it have to do with the renovation? Was it experimental since centerfield camera were still relatively new?

2. Exactly how long was the camera in that position, and what year did the Yankees switch to the conventional position on the left-field side of dead center?

3. Any other stadiums have a similar camera angle?

This thread I suppose can be used for a general discussion of camera placement in stadiums (the thread on twinsballpark2010.com is quite informative). For example, when were centerfield camera first used in game broadcats?

In the old Yankee Stadium (1960's, 70's) WPIX had fixed right centerfield camera that was located in the scoreboard. There was a square opening on the front left side bottom - around where the "B" for Ballantine Ad was. It did not move, it just showed the picture and the batter.

After the stadium was renovated, a camera was located in the right field bleachers, on the top near the black.

I am not sure when the camera was switched to left center. I think it might have been when MSG/Bill Webb (TV Director) started to control the telecasts in the late 80's

[Gehrig27]

My only guess is that it was because someone just said "ok put the camera here" and there wasn't much thought to it as long as it showed the pitcher and hitter. Or, maybe it had something to do with being able to see the more frequent righthanded batters and pitchers better. I think the views varried from ballpark to ballpark, some perhaps influenced by the positioning of the grandstands or just by random choice. I know the first instance of a centerfield camera was by NBC durring the 1957 world series. I've seen old pictures on the Daily News photo archives that show the position of the Yankee Stadium camera crews in the late 50's and into the 60's as being under the "no betting" sign on the righthand side of the batters eye. Judging from that I would have to say that Yankee stadium had that view from right field in the old stadium and in the current stadium at least until 1987 because I have footage of a Don Mattingly home run in 1987 from that right field view. I really think it might just have something to do with the station broadcasting; my memory is a little hazy but I think NBC's coverage of the 1978 world series may have had the current left field view. Maybe when Yankees broadcasting went over to MSG in 1989, they put the view in left field and its stayed there since.

Here's a comparison: 1977 and 2003

[JWB13]

I've always liked the angle from right-center better than the one currently used.

[six4three]

It's an interesting question: do you want right-handed pitchers or right handed batters to be open to the camera?

[BenHertz]

They should have both, but keep the right-center field camera fixed/set/no movement. I love seeing breaking balls from different angles.

I'm tired of all the close-ups and some of these stupid angles the TV directors love so much. ARGH! Oh well.

[Gehrig27]

Here are the main camera angles from the 1952 World Series.

[BenHertz]

Yikes. I'm guessing that wasn't in HD, either.

[Lions/[email protected]!]

Yikes. I'm guessing that wasn't in HD, either.

That was a good one!

[the_Bored]

From what I've seen on Sportscenter and Baseball Tonight, NESN, the station that broadcasts Red Sox games, has been using a camera angle from dead center, higher up as to see over the pitcher. I suppose it gives a better view view of the strike zone, but I'm so used to the left-field-side camera. Are any NESN viewers able to give us any insight on this?

[Aviator_Frank]

From what I've seen on Sportscenter and Baseball Tonight, NESN, the station that broadcasts Red Sox games, has been using a camera angle from dead center, higher up as to see over the pitcher. I suppose it gives a better view view of the strike zone, but I'm so used to the left-field-side camera. Are any NESN viewers able to give us any insight on this?

I watch a lot of games on NESN because I love listening to Rem Dawg and Orsillo. Yes their cam is much closer to dead center. What that provides, best of all, is that you can see the movement on every pitch. Not only can you truly see balls and strikes as the ump does but you can see how the ball breaks over the plate on sliders, curves etc. It really gives you a feel for how each pitch moves differently and how some guys can really fool hitters with last-second ball movement.

The classic off-center in some parks is so far off line you can't even tell inside vs outside.

Another good one is MASN on Orioles home games. Very good line of sight camera-wise.

[Gehrig27]

Here are some comparisons.

[parlo]

My only guess is that it was because someone just said "ok put the camera here" and there wasn't much thought to it as long as it showed the pitcher and hitter. Or, maybe it had something to do with being able to see the more frequent righthanded batters and pitchers better. I think the views varried from ballpark to ballpark, some perhaps influenced by the positioning of the grandstands or just by random choice. I know the first instance of a centerfield camera was by NBC durring the 1957 world series. I've seen old pictures on the Daily News photo archives that show the position of the Yankee Stadium camera crews in the late 50's and into the 60's as being under the "no betting" sign on the righthand side of the batters eye. Judging from that I would have to say that Yankee stadium had that view from right field in the old stadium and in the current stadium at least until 1987 because I have footage of a Don Mattingly home run in 1987 from that right field view. I really think it might just have something to do with the station broadcasting; my memory is a little hazy but I think NBC's coverage of the 1978 world series may have had the current left field view. Maybe when Yankees broadcasting went over to MSG in 1989, they put the view in left field and its stayed there since.

Here's a comparison: 1977 and 2003

I recently saw Game 3, 1978 WS. The camera is left centerfield, like your 2003 photo.

[Manhattan]

Ballpark TV camera positions (esp. centerfield)

I recently saw Game 3, 1978 WS. The camera is left centerfield, like your 2003 photo.

Thanks for posting about game 3 between the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers at game 3 of the 1978 World Series. I hope that I will be on TV during a Major League Baseball game.

[cgcoyne2]

Camera position

If you have predominately right-handed batters, they stand on the left side of the plate and look at the pitcher. While they're looking at the pitcher they are looking from the left and have a slight angle towards the pitcher so they look slightly to the right of center field. By putting the camera slightly left of centerfield the batter isn't looking in that direction and there is no distraction.

Just a guess.