[bigsig]

Quote:
Originally Posted by bigsig
Guys, you all just don’t get it. It’s great that we all want to promote the sport of Softball, and it is frustrating when the talking heads don’t know the rules like we umpires do, but here’s what your missing. ESPN isn’t broadcasting this to promote Softball! They are looking for market share. That’s how they make their money. They have a baseball guy there to compare it to baseball because the vast majority of the audience they want to capture know and are more familiar with baseball then softball. In other words, most of the audience know less about the rules of softball than the parents and coaches we always complain about. They, (ESPN), put one baseball guy and 2 softball “experts” in the booth who in their (ESPN’s) mind should know the rules. (Joe Morgan ring a bell). This is about ratings and market, do you think they are interviewing Jenny Finch in the stands because her kid is cute? Just be happy we are seeing so many good games. It will all help softball and maybe we can get the game back in the Olympics after 2008!

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Let me see...how should I put this....bull! Yes, they are attempting to catch their market share and make money and they will. However, ESPN is broadcasting this because it is part of the NCAA package which they share with CBS.

Softball has been doing okay without the help of baseball. And softball does not want to be associated with baseball since that was one of the primary issues with being removed from the Olympics.

BTW, Joe Morgan was a helluva ballplayer. Other than that, he isn't any higher on my list than Tim McCarver who is just as bad as any of the TH on a softball game.
Quote:
This is about ratings and market, do you think they are interviewing Jenny Finch in the stands because her kid is cute? Just be happy we are seeing so many good games. It will all help softball and maybe we can get the game back in the Olympics after 2008!

They interview Jenny Finch because she is presently the poster child for USA/ASA Softball and the Olympic team. Of course, it didn't help that there was some big grumpy-looking guy from Michigan in the picture sitting behind her. They also interviewed Osterman, Kretchmen, Candrea and any other indentifiable member of the Olympic team.

I think they have production issues and need to fill time. If they would keep to the game during the play, there would be plenty stuff to talk about between the action. Maybe I'm just missing it, but I don't remember seeing a promo for the participating schools which is required to be run during each broadcast.

Irish. Interesting approach. First you say it’s bull, then you agree with most of my points and clearly don’t understand the others. Let’s see: You agree that ESPN is doing this for market share (that’s how they set their rates for advertisers) and you point out that it’s under contract with NCAA & CBS. What’s your point? Does that make it not for $?
You missed the whole point as to why they have one baseball commentator, their demographic (18-40 year old males) has a greater familiarity with baseball than softball. Instead you go on an irrelevant diatribe about softball not needing baseball, and baseball is somehow responsible for softball being eliminated from the Olympics.

You totally missed the point about color commentators not always knowing the rules and instead thought my comments were degrading Joe Morgan’s baseball skills? But you do correctly point out that I could have used Tim McCarver as well.

You agree that Jenny Finch is the poster child for softball but some guy sitting in the stands bothered you.

Then you complain that there were no school promos? Other than 8 Director of Admissions who cares?

Irish, I have great respect for your knowledge and experience as an umpire. Maybe you should stick to your area of expertise.