Sports Nerds: MLB's “At Bat” iPhone App Just Got A Lot Better

Awhile back, we conducted an in depth review of the MLB’s official iPhone application, entitled “At Bat”.  The app features real time scores, home/away audio broadcasts, and live video.  That’s right, live freaking video (channeling Don West).

Well, the bar has been raised for the 2009 playoffs.

When I was up in New York City for the “Blogs with Balls” sports media conference earlier this year, we took a tour of the MLB Network facilities.  I joked that their video control room resembled something from “The Truman Show” with their ability to view anything and everything across every game, every field, every angle.  Video feeds everywhere.  Insane.

Those angles are now delivered to the iPhone for the 2009 MLB Playoffs.  Users have the ability to chose between 8 different camera.  Let me say that again.

EIGHT freaking camera angles.

All are accessible at any point during any game of the 2009 Playoffs.  Heck, there’s even a view of the “Left Field Stands” so you can keep accurate tabs on drunken bleacher monkeys.

Furthermore, if I want to keep a watchful eye on Jayson Werth’s well conditioned mane in the Phillies dugout, well dammit, I should be able to.

The MLB iPhone app now provides that ability.  But hey, what if I’m feeling adventurous and want to keep an eye on the Phillies Dugout AND some on-field action; you know, like that wild and wacky Philly Phanatic?

Well, the real apex of this application is something MLB is calling “Quad Mode” – which provides a mix of four different camera angles at once, usually consisting of the home/visitor dugouts and two different views of the field.

Um, yeah.  Sick.

Besides a massively high ranking on the kick-ass meter, this type of innovation from MLB is really encouraging; it’s how you should be able to watch TV from the comfort of your living room.

All for just $4.99 (on sale from a previous $9.99).

Truth be told, while I appreciate the application’s innovation, I value MLB’s willingness to mature the app (essentially, for free) over the course of the season.  For a cost of $9.99 at the beginning of the season, the app was steal – especially for a traveling fan wanting to listen to their team’s broadcast on the road.  The addition of live game video made any app owner the coolest (and most smug) guy in the room.

I know from experience.

Previous Stuff for Sports Nerds:

A Look at the New “ESPN Radio” iPhone App (link)
iPhone’s Sportacular app adds push notifications (link)
A review of MLB.com’s enhancement “At Bat” iPhone app (link)

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