As I was riding the team bus from Dodger Stadium to the team hotel after the game, a friend of mine called me on my cell phone.
Not only is this person a friend, but he is also a respected peer in the business of television baseball.
After answering my phone, our conversation went as follows:
“Well, you guys did it again.”
Knowing that this person is a prankster, I asked, “What are you talking about?”
“I read your blog from yesterday’s telecast, and you guys took what the game gave you and turned it into a telling replay sequence.”
(I knew what he was talking about) “You mean the package that showed teammates “picking up” one another?”
“Yea, that was great.”
As our conversation continued, he talked about the show and how much he enjoyed the use of the historical footage we aired in the telecast. We both agreed that the use of historical baseball footage in the telecast is a nice feature that adds to the quality of the show. We both agreed that the use of historical baseball footage is a wonderful tool that excites both the hard core baseball fan as well as the casual fan.
We also agreed that the importance of using of historical baseball footage in telecasts is often missed by TV baseball telecast teams.
I know our TV team is guilty of not incorporating this valuable tool into our shows as much as we should. I believe my teammates on our production crew would agree as well. The quality of our telecasts can only be enhanced with the use of this footage.
The St. Louis Cardinals Baseball Club may have the richest tradition of any National League Club. The tradition of the Cardinals may only be surpassed by the great tradition of the New York Yankees. All the more reason this valuable tool should be incorporated into our telecasts on a more consistent basis.
One of the nicest aspects of the TV baseball business is the constant “throwing around” of ideas from members of this fraternity.
“What about this?”
“Would this work?’
“Have you tried this?”
Another aspect of the TV baseball business that is rewarding is the mutual respect that members of our fraternity have for each other. The phone call from my friend/peer tonight is a perfect example of this respect.
The replay sequence (which warranted a phone call from this fellow member of the TV baseball fraternity) was another example of our Producer recognizing what the game was giving to the telecast, packaging these events, thus enhancing the viewing experience.
The video sequence highlighted instances of teammates “picking up” for teammates who did not deliver in a situation.
The following is what occurred in the game and the video sequence that boosted the value of the telecast:
(Top of the 1st inning, runners on first and third, no outs) The batter hits an infield pop fly for the first out. The next batter swats a double to drive in a run and put runners at second and third.
(Top of the second inning, runners on first and third, one out) The batter fails to advance the base runners with a sacrifice bunt. The next batter smacks a base hit to drive in a run.
(Top of the third inning, runner on second, no outs) The batter fails to advance the runner to third base. The next batter gets a base hit to drive in the run.
Three prime examples of a teammate “picking up” another teammate – one in each of the first three innings!
This video sequence was one of the “coverage” highlights of our season. This sequence was so good that it warranted a call from a peer in the business who understood the value of this sequence to the telecast.
I believe that most members of the TV baseball fraternity want to provide the viewer with the most enjoyable, most informative “coverage” of each game.
Therefore, interaction between members of this fraternity is essential.
Most members of our fraternity welcome ideas that enhance the viewing experience. Most members of this fraternity love to hear a peer say, “That was great!”