FOX Sports brings back 1954-Style broadcast for MLB's Negro Leagues tribute

In an unprecedented homage to the history of baseball, FOX Sports transported viewers back in time during tonight's MLB game at Birmingham, Alabama's historic Rickwood Field.

To honor the legacy of the Negro Leagues, the broadcast adopted a vintage style, similar to how games were televised in 1954.

FOX Sports scores home run with vintage broadcast

Midway through the game between de St. Louis Cardinals and the San Francisco Giants, fans were treated to a nostalgic spectacle as the top of the fifth inning was aired in black-and-white.

The production team meticulously recreated the look and feel of a 70-year-old broadcast, complete with a split-screen view of runners on base and an old-school scorebug.

Even the audio carried the distinctive tinny quality of mid-20th-century announcers, adding to the authenticity of the experience.

The historic Rickwood Field, the oldest ballpark in the United States, served as the perfect backdrop for this tribute.

Opened in 1910, Rickwood Field has seen countless legendary players, including Willie Mays, who once played there as a member of the Birmingham Black Barons.

Tonight's game featured moving tributes to Mays, celebrating his incredible contributions to baseball both before the game and during the play.

The game also marked a significant milestone in MLB history featuring the first all-Black umpiring crew.

Baseball's living history at Rickwood Field

Brad Cheney, VP of operations and engineering at FOX Sports, expressed his excitement about the broadcast.

"Anytime you're able to be part of history and see it as it existed for thousands upon thousands of players before you, it's just absolutely unbelievable,"Cheney said.

"We're excited that we've been able to work with Major League Baseball to bring fans to a place that, quite honestly, they might not have known existed or still exists. To be able to show that off while nodding our caps to the Negro Leagues and what all those players really meant to baseball, it's truly spectacular."

The production effort for this event was notably understated, focusing on capturing the historical essence of Rickwood Field rather than relying on high-tech production tools.

Five primary game-coverage cameras were positioned on custom platforms built on the stadium's roof due to the absence of traditional camera wells.

This unique setup offered a fresh perspective of the game while respecting the ballpark's historic architecture.

Rickwood Field's storied past includes hosting 181 of the 351 players enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Iconic figures such as Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, Cool Papa Bell, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Stan Musial, Ted Williams, and Joe DiMaggio have all graced its field.

The park's rich history was palpable throughout the night, bringing fans closer to the game's roots.