More CWCS talking head drivel.....

[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!

[LMan]

They're playing in Bricktown?

[IRISHMAFIA]

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).

[/quote]
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.

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.

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

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.

That's a good point. I watched quite a few games this weekend and don't remember one school promo.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Welpe

That's a good point. I watched quite a few games this weekend and don't remember one school promo.

Which is interesting since that is a requirement of NCAA broadcast contracts.

[Welpe]

Have they been showing promos during the regular season? Maybe ESPN talked them into foregoing the promos because of the increased viewership of the WCWS. You know to increase the popularity of the sport.

[wadeintothem]

Man, some of you are real whiners about this whole deal. Who gives a rats *** if they goof up a rule? Coaches are not going to goof them up more or less now than before.

Hell I'd be happy if umpires on the fields would study and get the rules right.. talking heads on TV? Not an issue. At least its on TV.

Watch the games and shawdup.

Some of you are worse than 12U B Travel Ball mothers at their annual sewing circle meeting.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

Man, some of you are real whiners about this whole deal. Who gives a rats *** if they goof up a rule? Coaches are not going to goof them up more or less now than before.

I care for the same reason I believe IPs should be called at this level. When I saw Team USA, there were coaches and parents having their children study the likes of Monica Abbott. Great pitcher, but illegal as hell. Heard one coach tell his team, "see the way she steps up and gets her entire foot in the dirt for traction to push off".

Unfortunately, in our game, the coaches are almost as impressionable as the players. On multiple occasions, I have had coaches cite what they had seen or heard on TV as the rule. I have a hard enough time just to keep from laughing in front of them.

Hell I'd be happy if umpires on the fields would study and get the rules right..talking heads on TV? Not an issue. At least its on TV.

Of course, as officials, we wouldn't want to worry about the integrity of the game or the manner in which it is being promoted and presented to the public and future fan base. You see, not all of us are in it for the money or acknowledgement.

Watch the games and shawdup.

Practice what you preach. If you don't care for the content (and the subject line of this thread couldn't be any clearer), don't open and read the thread.

Some of you are worse than 12U B Travel Ball mothers at their annual sewing circle meeting.

Here's the difference. Most of us know what we are talking about and we obviously worry more about it being done right, on and off the field.

I think you are just pissed because this crew is wearing the classic powder over navy and using common, yet very distinctive signals

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

Man, some of you are real whiners about this whole deal. Who gives a rats *** if they goof up a rule? ...

Web sites where you might find other people who might be interested in your point of view on talking heads in sports ...

Shutupptimmccarver

I Hate Tim McCarver Home Page

FIRE JOE MORGAN