I waited to write this blog until after the three game series with the Colorado Rockies, because I wanted to use this blog to compare the three telecasts.
The first game of the series featured three plays that concerned the second base umpire. There were two disagreements that occurred because of rulings by the umpire about base running and there was a play where a ball that appeared to be a home run (substantiated by our replays) was called “no home run” by the umpire.
In each of these instances, the manager of the ball team affected by the call confronted the umpire. In fact, the manager of the Rockies was ejected from the game for vehemently arguing the “non-home run” call.
The winning run in this contest occurred in the top of the ninth inning on a bases loaded walk. The game ended with the tying run on third base and the winning run on first base. Indeed, the ninth inning was the most exciting inning of the season for our TV team. This game included exciting moments and moments seldom seen in a baseball game. Our experienced production team in the mobile unit was concentrating and into the telecast and, thus, we were not surprised by the rare moments in the game, and, I believe, we nailed the show.
Our telecast had a nice flow to it and may have been the cleanest show of the season. This telecast was refreshing and, unlike the previous few telecasts, it felt great to be “in the chair” directing baseball.
The Cardinals won game two of the series 4-1, and captured the rubber game of the series by a score of 9-2.
These two telecasts were the first telecasts of the season that felt like we were televising the Cardinals’ teams of the past few seasons. The 4-1 game seemed like a rout and the 9-2 game was dominated by the Cardinals.
These games were full of action. There was a lot of offense and some good defense. These games are the type of games that are especially enjoyable as a Director in the truck because I am able to watch the coverage of the game on nine cameras. Seeing all the action with nine different “looks” only enhances my appreciation for this great game.
I believe that our TV crew puts forth the same effort in every show. Because the telecasts are of high intensity, each show must be approached with the same mindset. Each member of the crew must concentrate and be focused for the entire game. Televising sports is a profession where the TV production team gets one chance to capture a moment as good as that moment can be captured. Every TV sports production team is capable of covering a game, but the telecasts that not only cover the game but enhance the viewing experience are the shows that stand out. The TV production team in the truck cannot approach any particular telecast as being more important than any other telecast. The same level of concentration must be put forth for each telecast in order to provide a quality show. If the TV production team in the truck maintains this consistency, then, when there is a game with a heightened importance such as a pennant-clincher, there is a better chance of a quality show.
Also, each game has different levels of excitement throughout. The most memorable moment of a game may occur in the top of the first inning. There may be an instance in a game that occurs very, very infrequently such as the “non home run” call of game one of this series.
When a TV sports production team maintains a consistent level of concentration, the team is very rarely surprised. There is no worse moment during a telecast than when the TV crew is surprised. This is a profession that relies on hundreds of split second decisions each telecast and surprises can only cause mistakes.
Experience – the knowledge gained from every telecast.
Preparation – the knowledge learned from every game.
Concentration – insures the proper mix of experience and preparation.
A TV production team that combines these three qualities into a telecast will provide the viewer with the highest quality viewing experience.
Our past three telecasts are a great example of a TV baseball production team combining their sports television experience with their knowledge of the game of baseball to provide quality telecasts.