This is Saturday, September 8 and I have not blogged since May 23.
During the past few weeks, some of my colleagues in the baseball television industry have asked me why I have not blogged since May. After a conversation with my friend and colleague with the Arizona Diamondbacks today, I have decided to make an entry into this blog.
There have been many reasons that I have not written since May 23.
My son was competing for the University of Minnesota baseball team in his senior season and I was following him day in and day out.
I was immersed in some very interesting discussions with my St. Louis Cardinals broadcast partner about ways to improve the methods we use to present Cardinals’ baseball and, frankly, I became a bit frustrated with the limitations that our production team was dealing with in our quest to provide the best possible “coverage” of St. Louis Cardinals baseball.
Each blog that I had written for each telecast covered the highs and lows of that particular telecast. I described the telecast and I outlined the plusses and minuses of each show.
Every telecast IS different because each baseball game IS different.
I love this profession because each and every time I go to “work”, something different happens. I learn every day I sit in the chair.
A Major League Baseball TV Director is very fortunate.
A Major League Baseball TV Director has the opportunity to author a wonderful story for the greatest game in the world each and every telecast, each and every game.
When a Major League Baseball TV Director has at his or her disposal a full complement of equipment for the telecast, that telecast/show should present a rewarding, fulfilling experience for the baseball fan/viewer.
A full complement of cameras and replay machines SHOULD provide the fan/viewer with the best possible viewing experience.
A full complement of cameras and replay machines SHOULD provide the Director the best possible arsenal to provide the viewer/fan with the most rewarding viewing experience.
In 1979, when I worked as a member of a TV production crew for the first time as an AD (Associate Director) on a Minnesota Twins telecast out of Metropolitan Stadium, I had no idea, not a clue, about the intentions of a Major League sports telecast. It was my understanding that he telecast’s main intention was to “show” the game. Everything game angle was wide and each replay was of the “game” angle.
As this business progressed, sports television evolved into “put the viewer into the stadium.”
Thus, the video (cameras and camera angles) became the focus of “sports television.”
Then, the primary vision of “sports television” was to put the viewer “on the field.”
Thus, lenses on the cameras and camera placement became important in the coverage.
This 2007 baseball season, our St. Louis Cardinals TV Baseball Production team decided that we wanted to put our viewers/fans in the stadium and on the field.
We eliminated our tight centerfield camera (camera 6) and replaced it with a roving handheld camera (also camera 6) to capture the essence of the ballpark – “the ballpark experience.”
I believe that it is the responsibility of each baseball production team to put the viewer “on the field” AND “in the ballpark”.
Every Major League Baseball Team must understand the value of this thinking in regards to the value of the return of the visual experience a television broadcast of a game provides the viewer.
Therefore, every telecast of every game must provide the viewer/fan with the most positive reaction to the event as possible.
Unfortunately, sometimes the fiscal responsibilities of the “product provider” limits the absolute enhancement of the great product.
Therein, I am frustrated.
That is why I have not blogged.