Focus

Going into the top of the 5th inning tonight, the Diamondbacks had hit three homeruns (including back to back) and led by the score of 6-0. Also, Diamondbacks pitcher Dan Haren was perfect through four innings.
Haren's stuff was nasty and it looked like "no-hit" stuff.
Every TV baseball production team dreams of being part of a no-hitter or a perfect game.
In tonight's contest, with the early lopsided score and an all-star pitcher on the mound (Haren) for Arizona, we all realized that while the chances of a no-hitter or perfect game were slim, there was the possibility given the nastiness of Haren's pitches.
The leadoff hitter for the Cardinals in the fifth inning doubled and the thoughts of a pitching gem ended.
At this point in the telecast something else ended as well - the concentration level of the crew. When the concentration level of the crew ends, there is NO flow to the show. The show becomes herky/jerky.
The next batter hit an rbi single and the Cardinals were on the board.
Waiting for a tape machine to cue up a replay Mike, our Producer, immediately picked up on the fact that the crew had lost focus and said, "Let's go, guys. Cue it up. We need a replay!"
The replay aired a bit later than desired but the crew "got the message".
Focus returned and the flow of the telecast/game returned as well.
It is the responsibility of the Producer and the Director to keep the crew focused.
There are games, however, where focus can be disrupted.
When this disruption occurs, as is apt to happen, The Producer or Director MUST immediately refocus the crew to the job at hand.
Losing focus during a telecast is possibly the worst scenario for a TV production team.
The quality of the show suffers and the viewer is robbed of an enjoyable baseball experience.
Mike saved the telecast tonight.
Too bad he couldn't save the game.
Final: Diamondbacks 7, Cardinals 2.