Live baseball returns to ESPN America on Thursday

ESPN America subscribers will get their first taste of live baseball in 2011 this Thursday evening. 

The channel will be showing a Spring Training game between the Detroit Tigers and Atlanta Braves live from the latter’s Champion Stadium in Florida. 

First pitch is set for 18.05 GMT, with ESPN America’s coverage starting on the hour. 

The Braves are undertaking a Spring Training regime under a new manager for the first time in twenty years.  Bobby Cox’s successor Fredi Gonzalez knows the organization well, but he’s sure to have brought a few new ideas into the mix.

As for the Tigers, their Spring Training has so far been dominated by the off-the-field saga caused by first baseman Miguel Cabrera.  He was arrested in February on suspicion of driving while under the influence of alcohol.  After missing the first few days of camp, Cabrera made his Spring Training debut on Monday against the Yankees.

Your TV option for 2011

ESPN America will once again be the only TV option for Brits wanting to catch MLB action this year. 

Those of you considering signing up to the channel may be interested to know that ESPN America and the UK ESPN channel will both be free-to-view over the coming weekend, from 6 a.m. on Friday 4th to 6 a.m. on Monday 7th, for Sky, Virgin and Talk Talk customers. 

Unfortunately there isn’t any live baseball scheduled to be broadcast over this weekend, but some baseball-related programming will be available (ESPN’s Baseball Tonight programme) and it will give you a chance to find out what other sports you can watch in between all of the baseball available on ESPN America over the coming season.