Public Media and Baseball

A few weeks ago on a #pubmedia chat session on Twitter, I mention what has public media done well and what public media should add. I mention public media should add sports, but sports that fit to the public media culture. The sport that first came to mind is baseball. Not because public media needs baseball, but baseball needs a partner for the long run.

I was a decent baseball fan throughout my life. In 1999, I went to my first baseball game at Camden Yards when the Red Sox faced the Orioles. I was semi-interested, but the Orioles weren’t my team as I learned DC used to have a baseball team and got rejected from MLB owners (mostly Peter Angelos). I started to get into baseball fully when the Montreal Expos moved to Washington to become the Nationals in 2005. It was in 2008 that I understood how special baseball is.

I had partial season tickets to the Nats inaugural season at Nationals Park and attended 20 games. However, it was my trip to Chicago that I went to Wrigley Field for the White Sox-Cubs interleague rivalry and words can’t describe the experience as a tourist in Wrigley Field. I wanted to like baseball, but the Nats were stinking up the joint. Then when Stephen Strasburg arrived in Washington for his MLB debut last year, I understand how baseball is that magical.

Baseball every year has these magical moments. The problem I have with baseball is not the game (although there need to be tweaks, but that’s for a different post), but the broadcasting.

The problem with baseball announcing is that it is trying to excite you artificially or that they don’t care for the game. I’m looking at FOX, who bought a lot of money to get the MLB package, but from the looks of their broadcasting team, coverage, and theme music over the years, it seems like Fox put baseball in the back-burner. TBS are at the same boat since they’re in a network that shows comedies. ESPN is being ESPN.

In addition, youth baseball has been dropping every year since 1996 because sports like lacrosse and soccer have constant motion and have excitement, but in baseball, you stand there most of the time. I mostly blame that on managers (mostly parents) who want to be the alpha people among the teams by yelling and screaming, when the game requires patience, which most of us don’t have.

This brings me to public media, specifically PBS.

What baseball is missing in most broadcasts is storytelling. Baseball announcers are renowned for their voice and stories. Vin Scully comes to mind as a great broadcaster and storyteller. Without commercial breaks, PBS can use the middle and end of each inning to describe what is going on and why it matters and if the game is a blowout, a few stories to tell. The PBS broadcast would let the game flow dictate how to call it.

Another thing PBS can bring to baseball is the element of community. PBS affiliates do a great job promoting arts and culture to their local community. Teaming up with MLB and minor league baseball, not only you would get an engaged community, but a diverse community that is lacking in public media. In addition, you bring the 170 million Americans who contribute to public broadcasting and have something to unite.

If baseball came to PBS, it would eliminate the “elitist” label that public media perceived to have since baseball is a global sport. PBS has done some sports from golf, tennis, and Ivy League football, but those sports tend to be the high-end of the spectrum (to be fair, they did air the FIFA World Cup in 1982). Although baseball is played by world-class athletes, it’s the magical moment people want or do not want to believe that makes the sport special.

Finally, baseball has two things on their side: history and government. Baseball’s history is rich and with PBS having Ken Burns (Baseball, The Tenth Inning), the game can be preserved. Add to that, most government officials and politicians are still fond of baseball (1994 strike, steroid hearings involved the U.S. government). If baseball is struggling, MLB can rely on the U.S. government to help, possibly bring MLB back to the non-profit side. The U.S. government still allows the NFL to be a non-profit for some odd reason.

Baseball might be dropping like boxing and horse racing not because of steroids or parity in the field. The problem with baseball is networks like Fox, TBS and somewhat ESPN are trying to spice up baseball with graphics and hyperbole when the game doesn’t require it.

This is a perfect time for PBS and its affiliates to pony up and get baseball after the 2013 season, when MLB’s TV contract with Fox, TBS, and ESPN are up, to bring baseball back to life and give the sport its proper due.

Realistically…

MLB would want a big contract with the major broadcast and cable networks after 2013 and wouldn’t care about the long-term effects of the game. MLB are still thinking about being cool at the grown-up table instead of being the adult.

PBS and their affiliates do not have the resources to pay a quarter of what MLB is asking and really can’t do anything except do stories and make documentaries about baseball. In addition, who pays for the TV rights: PBS, PBS affiliates, a third party?

Public broadcasting and baseball would have been a great relationship because both need each other and would fill each other’s weaknesses. It would be similar to hockey in Canada with TSN doing the heavy load of the work and CBC handling the major hockey events (Winter/Heritage Classic, All-Star game, Stanley Cup Final). Instead, greed will always win in baseball and some in the public media audience would not appreciate baseball as an art form. That’s a shame on both accounts.

Tracy’s Random Thoughts July 2008 Edition

It’s summer and I’m amazed it hasn’t been that humid in DC.  Of course that will change in the next couple of days.  I wish I was in Chicago or Seattle.  Anyway, on we go:

1. Election 2008

I’m not going to get into it now since everyone wants to makes this news after one single soundbite and another, and you know how it goes.  Talk to me about it during the conventions.

2.  The Washington Nationals

Wow, this is a mess.  First, the team is not all that great to start with.  There is no offense on this team and most of the stars are on the DL.

Second, the owners want the city to pay $3.5 million, plus $150K per day of “not completing the stadium.”  By that, the owners mean the offices were not completed.  Ok, if they sound like that, the Lerners leap frog Dan Snyder as the most hated owner(s) in DC, and that’s pretty hard to do.  By the way Washington fans, the Taters start training camp next week.

Finally, MLB is investigating the front office of the Nationals from improper contracts among Latin players.  I knew Jim Bowden would be involve in this, but I’m shocked by Jose Rijo’s involvement, since he is a Dominican, but if you stuck around a guy who is been quoted saying “I want to say a prayer to [a player's] butt,” I’m not shock at all.  I won’t be shock if Bowden is out of a job and possibly Brian Cashman (DC product) be the GM since he is in hot water with George Jr. (Hank Steinbrenner) since the Yankees are in 3rd place right now.

This is not a great start for a team that opened a stadium this year and had some hopes for this year.  At least they were first place for 6 days.

3. Network Programming

This has been disturbing me for awhile, but what is with some of the networks showing movies out of the range?  For example, the Cartoon Network was showing Jurassic Park 3 and School of Rock, and Fuse (a music network) was showing some random music that doesn’t associate to music, and CMT showing something not related to country? 

This has been my worry, but there is too much media control among television networks, hence the variety of different shows in niche networks.  I can’t decide which is which anymore.  No wonder people are going to the internet to find what they are looking for. 

4.  Cricket

I don’t what’s wrong with me, but I have started listening to cricket matches because my Tony Kornheiser friends have this obsession with cricket.  I even have a newsletter for cricket on my Blackberry.  If you think cricket is boring, well, yes for the general audience.  However, just think cricket as golf, just add 1-2 days.  Cricket is only for the fanatics, but try to hear the audio commentary from the BBC.  They make the sport enjoyable.  Just think of the team of David Feherty and Gary McCord.  By the way, the International Cricket Council (ICC) are putting $300 million to make cricket a mainstream sport in the U.S.  Good luck, it will never happen.

5. There’s nothing to do in July

I just want to say that because we’re now entering the dog days of summer.  Not my favorite times.

Ok, that is all and within a month, I will make that big announcement soon, although some had a sneak peek, and I’ll shall kill them. 

 

Tracy’s Random Thoughts September-October 2007 Edition

I'll be honest, I haven't written anything because there's nothing in length talk about.  So, here's a list of things I have been thinking.

1. Blackwater - Ah, the smell of the government and contractors shooting down Iraqi civilians.  That's wonderful, now we are truly hated because of this.  Good luck with this.

2. Politics in general - When Bush and Congress approval ratings are at 30%, this country has problems.  I will say this, if you want change, you need to bring the Generation Y voters, however, that's difficult because of our perception that we don't change or the system is screwed up (ok, the electoral college is screwed up). I went to a reception where the keynote speaker was Mike McCurry, former press secretary for President Clinton, and he said people now want change and that's good, but a good set of people are not out there voting.  I will challenge the young voters that if you don't like the candidates, there's a write-in vote and select who you want for president.  Also, next year is a crucial period for this generation to pick the next President because if the young voters don't come, the status quo will remain the same, but if they really care about the future, they better make a move after the holidays.

3. College Football - This is fun, now we have new powerhouses in South Florida, Hawaii, and Kansas.  The dynasties are over in this era.  You might get a 3-4 year run and that's it.  People want playing time, period and this is going to be a great college football season.  Can you say three co-champions?

4. Fall TV Season - There is no buzz for this season's crop of TV shows because people have more choices, affiliation of big networks, and DVR.  There's only one show I'm excited about:  Pushing Daisies.  Saw the first two episodes and they're brilliant.  The premise is great with Ned's unique talent and the chemistry between Ned and Chuck (yes, they use it as a woman's name).  The supporting cast is talented and the one that stands out is Emerson Cod, who is the realist of this fantasy storybook type show.  It's the only show I'm watching and hopefully it doesn't get cancelled (but likely will).

5. Larry Craig - You did it, you plead guilty, but you had a second thought and wanted to change, but you already turn it in.  Dude, give it up.  At least you can go back home and enjoy the potatoes.

6. Movies - Can anyone tell me any good movies out there for the fall/winter.  Can't seem to find one.

7. Music - Don't know anything out there, but I have to say the buzz on music has been there, the problems is the record companies are relying too much on CD sales from stores.  I might be in the minority of this, but Steve Jobs made a brilliant plan of iTunes.  Albums are $9.99 and singles are $0.99.  Problem is that he's controlling too much power and has never made any collaboration to the record companies or entertainment industries.  His big ego is causing these industries to bail on them, but his product is now part of a franchise like Pepsi and Coke.  The entertainment industry need Steve Jobs more than Steve Jobs needs them. 

8. Daylight Savings Time - I wonder the heat wave in October is due to the fact the government expanded Daylight Savings Time?  Ponder that.

9. The little big cities - Last week, I went to Crystal City to attend a conference and meet up with my Internet friends.  I've been through Crystal City, Pentagon City, and Tyson's Corner.  These areas are going to be crucial for businesses and shops but here's what I know:  THEY'RE THE SAME PLACE!!!  The reason I love working in Washington is because of the shops, the atmosphere, the monuments, and the activity.  I'm a Northern Virginian all my life and I knew it was going to expand one day, but the planning hasn't been that great.  Create buildings and shops and business will boom.  It might work in the short term, but they need to build something to make these workers stick in the area.  Now I worried that DC might become Tyson's Corner with several Mom and Pop shops closing for corporate retailing.  Really Sad.  If you want references to this, go to the Nathan's of Georgetown site, where Carol Joynt writes a fabulous blog and tells her experience with her restaurant and the landlord.

10. Facebook generation - I knew people would go into Facebook.  When Facebook open the applications format, it would become big.  Right now, Facebook is the hottest thing in the Internet and could probably stay there.  The reason people like MySpace originally is because it was open to everyone and "express" themselves with photos and wallpaper.  However, when Rupert Murdoch bought it, I knew it would go on a downturn because people are going to stuff ads and stuff crap all over.  On the other hand, Facebook is still independent and have change the social networking structure.  People worried that it will be too big for their own good.  However, the reason I love it so much is you still keep the networks you have and hopefully it could expand.  Also, If you are part of a group, you do feel attached to that group (hence the groups I created)and you want to share information.  Now will Facebook get scrutinized by getting bought by Microsoft or Google?  Absolutely, but the companies need to realize don't mess with a successful product.  Look at MySpace is doing; it's losing visitors and the buzz is there, but not as big as Facebook.  I hope no one screws up Facebook.

That's all for me, I actually have a few things to say this week, so getcha popcorn ready (I would like pizza as well).

Tracy’s Random Thoughts May 2006 edition

My thoughts are so good, I have another edition of my thoughts. Let’s roll:

1. Immigration policies

On Monday, President Bush announces he will have troops surround the Mexican-U.S. border to limit as many illegal immigrants as possible coming in. Look, I believe in limiting immigrants coming, but you can’t just use troops to watch the border. Yes, there are pros and cons of illegal immigrants and my view is they should have legal documentation to work and not just let them get a free ride. I believe there should be an extensive search on the illegal immigrants. My problem with having troops is what the troops going to do there. Is there a two layer line or huge tanks blocking? My feeling is you’re putting away a good majority of the workforce and might scare customers not only here, but other immigrants as well. I believe the U.S. must be assertive, but not going to panic mode is one of those reasons.

2. Duke Scandal

I have two friends that went to Duke (One is Hispanic, the other is African-American). On the outside, I would see Duke as a smart, diverse school. Since its a private school, I know there are some wealthy people that go to Duke. I would not know that Duke was the polar opposite of what Durham is and that is an urban city. At first, this was about race and a line divided in the city. Now, this has become a he said/she said. As I learn from Rafael Palmerio, the speaking part is easy. The hard part is someone finding out. The third person charged held a press conference and said, without a script, that neither he nor his teammates did anything wrong. Right now, I believe more towards the team than this woman because the accuser has several different stories from being rape by 20, now 3, now remembering the person had a mustache, the pictures, and it goes on. As we learn in the news, the accuser had a tough childhood, but there is something weird about the story and the story has me convince this is a ply to have the DA getting elected.

Saying all that, the Duke Lacrosse team should not have a free pass as well. They held a party and had alcohol in the house and the kicked out player writing a nasty email. The problem about this is Duke Lacrosse players are saying they didn’t anything as a team, not as individuals. This is a high-browed clique than anything. It’s good to have unity, but its just odd saying that “we” didn’t do anything, acting like a team is one individual. The result I think is a settlement between the accuser and the defense.

3. Lawsuits

Last week, some guy sued the LA Angels of Anaheim for not giving him a tote bag on Mother’s Day. The Angels made a “nice” gesture and tried to give him 4 tote bags. Sadly, the guy rejected the offer and is suing them for discrimination. How in the hell did we became a litigious society? Is it really that money is important or since you’re the customer, you want every detail right? One, it was for women and it was on Mother’s day and there were no complaints about this. The sad part about this is he might have an argument that he prefers women’s accessories and pink was his favorite color or play the gay card. That is why our justice system sucks most of the time.

4. Britney Spears getting pregnant again.

Why do I care

5. 18-34 year olds don’t know their broadcast networks

A recent survey shows only one in four 18-34 year olds know the four main broadcast networks. My thinking is all these networks are owning up on the cable networks, it is hard to differentiate the networks. I would ask them who owns these networks. Big media, how we love them so much, it hurts.

That is all. Next month, a huge edition (but I’ll be wrong as always)