A Bad Situation

I enjoy writing this blog.

Thinking about the game/telecast and writing about the game/telecast is a great learning tool for me.

I would, therefore, like to write about today's game/telecast but something far more important has been brought to my attention.

A bad situation has been brought to my attention.

This Cardinals/Reds series has provided some wonderful entertainment for both team and their fans.

The Reds won Friday night with a 2-run walk-off homerun.

Yesterday, the Cardinals defeated the Reds mostly because of a superb, gutsy performance by their ace pitcher Chris Carpenter.

The Reds won the rubber game of the series today by the score of 3 - 1 in a well pitched game from both sides.

Now let me explain the bad situation.

One of the main responsibilities of the TV broadcast team is to sell tickets. Some may argue that selling tickets is the primary responsibility of the broadcast team and they may be right.

I know that our telecast yesterday sold tickets to Cardinals baseball at Busch Stadium. Our coverage enhanced the Cardinals victory (except for my poor cut during the games' biggest moment) and this coverage certainly sold tickets.

The TV coverage of the two victories by the Reds in this series certainly sold tickets for the Reds. In fact, I will be willing to bet that coverage of Friday night's 2-run walk-off homerun sold more tickets than any other game/telecast of the season for the Cincinnati Reds.

The final shot of that game featured an RF camera at home plate as the homerun hitter was met by his boisterous teammates.

Even though the Cardinals lost this game, this was the best shot on our air by far.

Just a great shot!

Just a great look!

Yesterday and today, however, I heard that a decision had been made by the Reds front office that the RF camera cannot be used on the field ever again in walk-off situations.

Wow - what a mistake!

The relationship that the St. Louis Cardinals TV production team has with the Cardinals front office is spectacular. We want to deliver a first class product for the team and we do. The trust factor we have with the Cardinals is invaluable.

I don't understand the thoughts of the Reds front office. Their TV production team is THE MOST IMPORTANT tool they have in representing their product.

To handcuff that tool is a grave mistake.

No wonder the Reds get 15,000 fans a game when they are in first place.

The Cincinnati Reds and their TV TEAM - a bad situation.