Major League Baseball fans might get to eavesdrop on players and managers arguing calls this season as Fox and ESPN put microphones on umpires during telecasts for the first time.

One umpire from each crew will wear a microphone that he can turn on and off during the game at his discretion. The networks said they won't air live audio from the microphones.
Advertisement

News Corp.'s Fox and Walt Disney Co.'s ESPN asked to put microphones on umpires for several years before getting approval from MLB and the Umpires Union.

Both networks said they would be selective in the audio they choose to use and umpires can turn off the microphones if a player or manager is arguing a ruling.