I don't believe for a second the fan base will be lowered. This deal is only for the out-of-market package, not for any normal ESPN or FOX or Regional Sports Network games. This is an add-on package, just like Sunday Ticket. And Sunday Ticket has not cause the NFL to lose some of its fan base.
It's not really about "if it is local or out of market". They are taking a service away from some of its fans who already had the ability to purchase their product.
How do you think some fans feel if they signed a contract with Dish or a Cable company last year knowing that they were able to purchase MLBEI, and possibly even spent money for equipment or installation knowing they were able to purchase EI. Yet, this year, they no longer have the option. That's why I feel MLB is being ignorant.
Even the opening paragraph from the article Scott posted agreed that they are trying very hard to chase it's fan base away.
-----MLB Strikes Out With Marketing:
"Major league baseball is trying very hard to chase away its fan base and make football the national pastime. The latest move is to shut out fans who would like to buy out of market games by signing an exclusive deal with DirecTV."
"As detailed by Associated Press, baseball is close to signing a contract that would take away the "Extra Innings" package from cable and Dish Network customers, 230,000 of whom paid for the service last year."
So they take extra money to get less subscribers to their EI package. Now the idiots @ MLB will probably take that money and use it for Advertising and Marketing to try and get more fans to watch Baseball. Wise people, very wise.