What a telecast.
What a game.
From the second a telecast goes to air until a telecast signs off, it is the responsibility of the TV production team to provide quality coverage for the viewer. Producing a quality telecast takes a complete effort by the whole production team.
We had that effort tonight.
Our poll question for the telecast was “what is the most memorable moment of the season?” Our graphics producer, who develops this question, suggested that we air a “flashback” showing each of the possible answers. Tying in featured elements of the telecasts is like wrapping a ribbon around the package. What a great idea by our graphics producer. Early in the telecast we presented the poll question and, throughout the telecast, we aired the individual flashbacks of the possible answers. Then, late in the show, we aired the answer. We aired the question, showed the possible answers to the viewers to allow them to make their decision, and then we aired the answer. This feature was very effective.
One of the positions on our crew, that I have been remiss to point out in earlier blogs, is that of our score box operator. Our score box operator is the best score box operator on the country. Period. Throughout the telecast, this operator shows the “in game box” for each team which shows what each batter has done during the game. The “in game box” airs whenever the lead-off hitter is at the plate. This operator is also able to show the pitch count for each pitcher, the pitches by inning for each pitcher, the pitch speeds (high/low) and due ups at the end of an inning. This operator constantly reminds the Producer of the situation at hand. This communication, as is any communication during a telecast, is vastly important to the quality of the show. This operator is the best at communicating his information at hand as any operator in the country. It is a delight to be part of the telecast with him.
This game ended with a walk-off double by the player who some consider to be the best player in the game.
The game was a back and forth affair.
The game came down to the last at-bat.
A game that ends like this game is a game that every baseball production team loves to be part of.
There was some history involved in this exciting finish. The batter had hit a long home run against the pitcher in the National League Championship Series of last season. That home run was one of the most memorable home runs in baseball history.
Here was the situation.
There were runners on first and second.
There were two outs.
The two players, the pitcher and the batter, were the players who were involved in the dramatic home run previously mentioned.
The talent teased this possible confrontation as the game/telecast entered the bottom of the ninth.
When this batter entered the batter’s box, the Producer replayed the NLCS moment.
The drama was set.
The count went to 1 and 2.
Tight shots of the combatants, the crowd, and the managers helped set up the final moment.
At this point in the telecast, the Producer said, “Let’s iso the base runner at first base. (The winning run ) Camera 5, who’s usual responsibility is to start on the batter and push to the crowd, was changed to follow this runner who represented the winning run.
This was a great decision.
Here was the final shot selection on that final play:
The ball was struck into the left field corner….the lead runner scored to tie the game….the left fielder had trouble fielding the ball….the runner from first (now isoed) rounded third and headed for home….he scored….the crowd went crazy.
The replays that followed were exceptional.
This was a total team effort by the production team. This was a memorable telecast.
This was a telecast that every baseball production team hopes for whenever that particular team goes to air.
Every single member of this baseball production team contributed.
It was our best telecast of the year.
What was the most exciting moment of the season? This game/telecast gets my vote.