Atmosphere

There was a playoff atmosphere at Dodger Stadium tonight as the Cardinals beat the Dodgers 2 - 1 in 3:06. I believe that atmosphere is one of the major components that contribute to the quality of the telecast. That is one of the reasons why I am so grateful that I direct Major League baseball games for the St. Louis Cardinals. The atmosphere at Busch Stadium is certainly in the top 4 of all Major League baseball parks. Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park and Wrigley Field should all be included on that list. Bottom line is that ATMOSPHERE SELLS TICKETS. The viewer at home feels the atmosphere at the ballpark and wants to be part of it. The importance, therefore, of atmosphere is two-fold. Atmosphere raises the quality of the telecast and atmosphere sells tickets. Capturing the atmosphere is relatively easy. Creating atmosphere - now that's the key.

Knowing

This is my 25th year with St. Louis Cardinals baseball. I am spoiled. This has been a very good team for a long time. I have come to expect good things with this baseball team. The 100+ win teams of 2004 and 2006 set a high standard that has set the foundation for the expectation of good baseball. This I knew. Each and every year I knew. Each and every year I expect good competitive baseball and each and every year I get what I expect. This, however, has been a trying season. I know they are a good team and I enjoy going to the ballpark each and every day. However, the foundation of my expectation of good baseball may be starting to crack a bit. In my heart, I know what I want to expect. I want to expect good baseball. I want to know. Again.

Adjusting

Throughout a baseball season I will direct anywhere from 155 to 160 games with half of these games on the road. A TV sports director must make adjustments during each and every game/telecast. The pace of the game will dictate these adjustments. Also, adjustments must be made with the each and every crew. Every single crew member does things differently. Every camera operator operates his or her camera differently. The high first base operator in each city has his own style as does the high home operator and the centerfield camera op. They all have different styles and it is up to the Director to adjust to these different styles. Trust me, I know by the third inning which operators are the most proficient and which operators lack quality. Just as important as the Director adjusting to each crew member is the crew adjusting to the Director. Every TV sports Director cuts the game differently. Every Director has his or her own style. Just as some Directors are better at adjusting to the crew, some crews are better at adjusting to the Director.

I Can't And Won't Complain

The Cardinals lost to the Padres tonight by the score of 11 - 3 in a poorly pitched, poorly played game that lasted 3:20. I can't and won't complain. This past Saturday my daughter got married and I took off the whole weekend. While my family and I were celebrating this wonderful occasion, this is what occurred during the three telecasts I missed: Friday night, Cards vs Brewers at Busch Stadium. The game started AFTER a 2 hour 32 minute rain delay. 13 innings and 4 hours and 30 minutes later the game ended. The final out was 2:05 AM and the Cardinals lost 5 - 4. The Redbirds lost on Saturday night 6 - 3 in a yawner that took 3:32 to complete and Sunday the Cardinals won an extra inning game 5 - 4 in 3:23 after the Brewers tied the score with a 2-out homerun on a 2 - 2 pitch in the top of the ninth inning. Trust me, I can't and I won't complain about tonight's game.

First Time in 25 Years

I cut today's 5 - 1 Cardinals victory over the Mets a bit under the weather. I'm sure I was a distraction to the crew with my hacking and blowing my nose. I have been feeling lousy for a few days and I decided during the day that I am taking tomorrow's telecast off. My daughter is getting married on Saturday and I want to be well for her big day. This is the first game in 25 years that I have missed because of illness. Our Producer, Mike, will cut tomorrow's game. I also have the weekend off and will write again from San Diego on Monday. By the way, the medical term for my illness as the Doctor put it "You have a doozy of a sinus infection".

DC At Home

The Cardinals beat the Mets today 5 - 4 in 3:09 at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals led the game 4 - 0 going into the 7th inning and 5 - 4 entering the ninth. The leadoff batter for the Mets in the top of the 9th inning doubled down the right field line and was called out for missing 1st base on an appeal by the Cardinals. We were ready for the appeal and the live cut of reactions on the field and our replays were very enlightening and memorable. I don't recall an out call on an appeal that had so much effect on the outcome of a game. It was great to be at Busch Stadium working with the home TV crew. They made me feel like I was televising from DC.

Thank You DC Crew

The St. Louis Cardinals TV production team would like to thank the TV crew for the Cardinals/Nationals series this weekend in DC. This crew works hard and is alot of fun. Our telecasts were super clean and included some of our best moments of the 2012 season. From top to bottom there is not one mediocre member of this crew. Let me rephrase that - each and every member of this crew is outstanding. They are pleasant and professional. They have a good time and don't miss a beat. It is a privilege to work with them. We return to DC in exactly one year - September 2, 2013. I look forward to that series!!