Big Moments

Every TV baseball director loves the "big moments" of the game/telecast.

There is a bit of adrenalin rush when these moments are at hand the the cut of the action is great fun. The walk-off homerun is the best example of a "big moment" but game tying hits and walk-off hits are included in this scenario.

As a big moment is unfolding, I believe the most fun is setting the iso's of the cameras for the replay sequence that will occur once the play is completed. Mike, our producer, and I will discuss certain isos as a big moment is unfolding.

As I just mentioned, the cut of a big moment is great fun but I also love the replay sequence or in the case of a walk-off hit, the roll out to break. Seeing these isos work gives a great feeling of satisfaction equal to the enjoyment of the live cut.

There were two "big moments" in our game/telecast tonight.

The Cardinals were behind 6 - 3 going into the bottom of the 8th inning. They scored a run to make it 6 - 4 and Albert Pujols tied the game with a homerun. The live cut worked and the replay sequence was great.

The fact that Albert was not playing up to his usual standard before the homerun really added to the importance of this moment.

Then, in the bottom of the 9th inning, the Cardinals won the game on a walk-off double by one of their rookies.

Two big moments.

One with the greatest player in the game and one with a rookie.

It just goes to show that "big moments" can occur at any time.

It is the responsibility of the TV crew to capture these moments in the best possible way.

We did tonight.