MSHSL: Live, from Target Field, it’s the 2010 Prep Championship Series (REPOSTED)

For six Minnesota high school baseball teams, when the plate umpire barks "Play Ball" for their final game of the season, it will be within the confines of Target Field, the new outdoor home of the Minnesota Twins. Prior to that first pitch of the three championship baseball games slated for the new ballpark, players, coaches and fans alike may likely be getting their first glimpse of the stellar stadium and all of its amenities.

And the entire day of premier Minnesota high school baseball will be live both on the Internet and on television.

The Minnesota State High School League has partnered with the Minnesota Twins to play all three championship baseball games at Target Field on Saturday, June 19. The Class A championship game is scheduled for a noon start, followed by the Class AA championship game at 3 p.m., and the 6 p.m. Class AAA championship game will wrap up what the League has dubbed the Prep Championship Series.

The Prep Championship Series will be Webcast live on 45.GrandStadium.tv and also telecast live on KSTC-TV, Channel 45. The Webcast production will be produced using students from five different Minnesota high schools — Bloomington Jefferson, Bloomington Kennedy, Eagan, New London-Spicer, and Wayzata.

Additionally, prior to each championship baseball game, the new 2010 girls’ fast-pitch softball champion team from that same class will be recognized on the field.

"We are thrilled to have been able to work with the Twins to offer this opportunity to the players, coaches and fans of those teams playing in the championship games," said Kevin Merkle, League associate director and the baseball tournament director. "This is a tremendous opportunity for all baseball fans to enjoy a great day at Target Field."

This is likely the first time that a student-produced Webcast will be carried live on an over-the-air television station. The five schools involved in the production gained previous experience earlier this school year producing the state football tournament semifinal games, 12 matches of the state girls’ volleyball tournament, plus numerous matches at the state wrestling tournament. Students will also be producing and streaming on 45.GrandStadium.tv the three championship games of the state girls’ fast-pitch tournament on Friday, June 11, at Caswell Park in North Mankato.

The Target Field Webcast of the Prep Championship Series will involve 35 students from those five high schools. Up to 10 cameras will be used to send video to two trucks supporting the production provided by Bloomington Educational Television (BEC-TV), the educational cable production arm of the Bloomington school district. The students will operate the cameras, work the switchers, run live slow-motion replay equipment, and keep the on-screen scoreboard current. Student directors will also coordinate the insertion of commercials between innings as well as features that have been pre-produced, and work directly with the officials on the field.

"With the student energy and enthusiasm that fuels popular social media such as YouTube and Facebook, a school can Webcast its sporting events online using technology that’s probably already resident in their schools," noted Thomas Lapping, one of the founders of Grand Stadium. "The key is the educational foundation on which 45.GrandStadium.tv was built.

"Because the design was made for educators and their students, our orientation is to provide an opportunity for real-world, project-based learning so schools cannot only reach their various communities, but do so in a way that prepares their students to work in an increasingly wired world."

KSTC-TV, Channel 45 is the League’s television broadcast partner and has partnered with Grand Stadium to produce additional state events for Webcast. The simulcast over Channel 45 is likely the first of its kind nationwide because high school students will be in charge of the production.

"We are thrilled to provide Minnesota high school broadcast and journalism students a real-world experience producing these events," said Susan Wenz, station manager for KSTC-TV, Channel 45. "To broadcast these games over the air is just a great way to celebrate the success of the 2009-2010 school year."

Target Field, in addition to hosting scores of Twins baseball games already, was actually christened with a Minnesota Golden Gophers baseball game in March. Soon, nearly 150 Minnesota high school players will be stepping onto that same field, some playing the last game of their high school careers.

"Target Field is about celebrating baseball of all kinds across the state of Minnesota and throughout Twins Territory," said Kevin Smith, Twins executive director of public affairs. "Hosting the Prep Championship Series further solidifies the team’s commitment to our game far beyond the professional level."

The entire lower level of Target Field from foul pole to foul pole will be open for general admission. Tickets cost $10 for adults and $7 for students and are good for all day and will allow fans in-and-out privileges.

"I’ve been encouraging people to attend," Merkle said. "I tell them that for 10 bucks they can sit in the $300 seats and enjoy great high school baseball."

Courtesy: Minnesota State High School League