ESPN’s 11 telecasts during the 2011 College World Series averaged a 1.0 rating with 1,310,000 viewers in 994,000 households, an increase of 11 percent (0.9), 9 percent (vs. 1,198,000) and 7 percent (vs. 933,000), respectively, over last year’s six games.

ESPN2 showed similar growth as well in four games, averaging a 0.8 rating, 999,000 viewers in 771,000 households, an increase of 33 percent (0.6), 26 percent (vs. 794,000) and 28 percent (603,000).

ESPN and ESPN’2s coverage of the College World Series finals averaged a 1.6 rating with 2,233,000 total viewers in 1,618,000 households.

The network saw increases across the board in all three categories (1.2 rating, + 33 percent/1,558,000 viewers, +43 percent/1,220,000 households, +33 percent) over last year.

Oregon State University play-by-play announcer Mike Parker has come forward and confirmed a YouTube video of him eating a napkin while intoxicated at a Denny’s restaurant.

“The wrongdoing feels deep within the heart, whether there was anything illegal or not, I’m deeply ashamed for putting myself in a position,” Parker said Tuesday. “To be in that kind of state, and so obviously terribly impaired from the alcohol that I could not be aware of what I was doing, is very frightening. It’s embarrassing, it’s shameful, it’s humiliating.”

The video was posted on Feb. 12 and filmed in a Los Angeles-area Denny’s. It was brought to Parker’s attention by a co-worker. He admits to having “some long-standing issues with alcohol.” Read more