How to watch baseball online in 2016
Major League Baseball has broadcast games over the Internet since 2002, but always with one huge catch: A blackout on all local team games — both home and away.
To watch Chicago Cubs games live on the league's online service, for instance, you need to be well outside the Chicago metropolitan region.
The league is lifting some of those restrictions this year, provided you already subscribe to a traditional cable or satellite TV package — and don't mind announcers who are rooting against your home team.
If the Yankees and the Red Sox are vying for the division's top spot, the instance, Yankees fans will need the full package to root against the Red Sox.
Sling TV is cheaper at $20 a month, but it offers only Fox regional networks, including the Yankees' YES Network.
(Be sure to sign up for the "multi-stream" version, which launched as a test service this month.) Sony's Vue offers Fox and Comcast sports networks as part of "core" packages that cost $35 or $45 a month, depending on the market.
MLB's Ballpark app for iPhones or Android phones offers stadium maps showing concessions, ATMs and, most importantly, restrooms.
There's a separate video package for minor leagues, MiLB.TV; it costs $50 for the season or $13 a month.
Not every minor league team is available, though, and a few teams black out home games just like the big leagues.