Akimbo pencils MLB into lineup

Akimbo Systems, the Internet-delivered video-on-demand service, is announcing today that it signed a deal with Major League Baseball’s interactive media and Internet company, MLB Advanced Media (MLBAM) to provide premium programming.

Under terms of the agreement, MLBAM will provide condensed versions of games on a daily basis as well as a library of classic games. During the playoffs and World Series, the two will offer complete games. Users of the Akimbo service will be able to order and download games on a per-game basis or buy packages of entire seasons for single teams. Pricing for the baseball package has not been set.

“This is a great way for serious baseball fans that don’t have a chance to follow it live,” said Jim Funk, vice president of product marketing for Akimbo. “It’s a great way to see a game and see how it went versus just watching highlights.”

Most condensed version of games will be available in the early morning the day after the game originally is played. Additionally, full game replays of past seasons’ key match-ups, such as record breakers, perfect games and pennant races, will be offered.

Like other programming on the Akimbo service, users will download content using any broadband connection

“Since we’re a download model, you don’t have to worry about your bandwidth,” Funk said. “We’re going to have a concept of team subscriptions. As soon as the games are available we’ll push it down to your player.”

Initially, the company only is offering content in standard definition in part because the current Akimbo player does not support high-definition. However, as new compression such as MPEG-4 and Windows Media 9 hit the market, Akimbo is looking into various ways to su