Commentary
Where's My Little League HDTV?
By Don Leiffer
HD Observer

Editor's Note: HD Observer Don Leiffer says DIRECTV subscribers in Los Angeles were surprised Monday night when suddenly the last inning of ESPN's HD coverage of the Little League Baseball playoff game was blacked out. Here's his report.

Washington, D.C. (August 22, 2006) -- Last night I was very much enjoying a first-rate Little League (Baseball) Playoff game on ESPN HD.

And a big THUMBS UP to ESPN for doing the Little League Playoffs (even the first rounds) in HD. It gives a real boost to what many would consider a minor sport but one that shows off more of the real sport of good competition than the over-paid PROS. 

Now, the rub.  In the (DIRECTV programming) grid following the Little League game was the Dodgers vs. Padres Major League Baseball game, in what would be an important series for both teams.  This was an HD broadcast that was supposed to start at 7 p.m. PT.

When 7 p.m. hit, the Little League game was in the bottom of the 6th (they play only six innings) and could have gone either way.  And when 7 p.m. hit, my screen went black and "Not available in your area" came on screen.
 
The pre-programmed switch to the dreaded blackout by Major League Baseball hit and the end of the Little  League game went away. 

I was ready for bear! 

Not only did "they" blackout the Dodgers/Padres (it was on a local Los Angeles channel so ESPN's coverage was blacked out in the Los Angeles area) but they cut off
the Little League game!

I went off and worked on the computer and the damn
Dodgers dumped the game after being ahead.  They can't beat the Padres and I can't win the HD game! 
 

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