MLB Strikes Deal to Keep Games on Cable

After negotiations that went into extra innings, baseball struck a deal to keep its "Extra Innings" package of out-of-market games on cable television.

Under pressure from Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.), MLB and iN Demand agreed in principle yesterday on a seven-year contract, a deal that likely will allow the sport's new TV network to be available in at least 40 million homes when it launches in 2009.

Baseball announced an exclusive seven-year, $700 million agreement with satellite carrier DirecTV on March 8, but viewers who would have lost TV access to the games complained.

"The concern expressed by our fans who would have been forced to switch to alternative carriers or were unable to switch was something we tried to be responsive to," said Robert DuPuy, baseball's chief operating officer.

Kerry had asked the Federal Communications Commission to investigate the original deal, and during a hearing last week in Washington he pushed baseball to resume talks with iN Demand, owned by affiliates of Time Warner, Comcast and Cox. While baseball had set a March 31 deadline, the sides kept negotiating and announced a deal, which still must be finalized.

IN Demand began making games available to cable systems in progress starting at 8 p.m. last night, President Robert Jacobson said. The package will be available for $159 this year through a free preview period that will extend into next week, he said, but the 2007 price for those subscribing after that has not been set.

IN Demand will make the "Extra Innings" package available to other cable companies, which also would be required to carry the MLB Channel.

· FENWAY MAKEOVER: The Red Sox have added a new bleacher section to Fenway Park, on the roof deck in right field with 200 seats that will be sold for $25 apiece. They're calling it "Conigliaro's Corner" to honor Tony Conigliaro, a promising outfielder whose career was derailed after he was hit in the face by a pitch in 1967.

The new seats, marketed specifically for families, are part of an annual offseason renovation. This year's project included a batting cage for visiting teams, new standing room behind the third base grandstand and a locker room for ushers and concession staff.

About half of the luxury suites have been redone, and ramps and stairways have been reconfigured to make it easier for fans, especially disabled ones, to move around the oldest and smallest ballpark in the major leagues.

· RAINOUT: The scheduled game between the Yankees and Devil Rays was postponed, washing out what would have been Andy Pettitte's first start in pinstripes since the 2003 World Series.

No makeup date was announced. After the series finale tonight, Tampa Bay isn't slated to visit Yankee Stadium again until July 20.

-- From News Services