Fan Commentators idea for FSNorth

[Don Walcott]

Remember when George Costanza was hopelessly out of work, and he was going through some options he might have at Jerry's apartment?

 

George: I like sports. I could do something in sports.
Jerry: Uh-huh. Uh-huh. In what capacity?
George: You know, like the general manager of a baseball team or something.
Jerry: Yeah. Well, that - that could be tough to get.
George: Well, it doesn't even have to be the general manager. Maybe I could be like, an announcer. Like a color man. You know how I always make those interesting comments during the game.
Jerry: Yeah. Yeah. You make good comments.
George: What about that?
Jerry: Well, they tend to give those jobs to ex-ballplayers and people that are, you know, in broadcasting.
George: Well, that's really not fair.

 

I agree with George.  I have no problem with Dick and Bert, they are very good for MLB announcers, in my humble opinion.  However, like anyone, they need a break once in a while.  And I think this would be a good time to bring in some fans as commentators.  Here's how I think it could work.

 

FSNorth would commit to one game at home and on the road against our division rivals during the season.  For each game, Twins Daily would choose two commentators: one for the booth and one in the stands/on the field.  A fan web site for our opposition would choose two commentators as well: one for the booth and one in the stands/on the field.  These commentators would announce for the last game of the series.  FSNorth would pay to fly the visiting fan commentators to and from the site of the game, arriving the day before the first game, and leaving after the last game of the series.  The commentators would get a reasonable per diem, hotel accommodations and access to all games of the series.

 

The commentators for both teams would get together the day before the game for dinner or a night on the town, paid for by FSNorth, so the home commentators could show the visiting commentators something fun to do in their city.  They could also talk about their teams and start coming up with good material for their broadcast.  Then, for the first 2 or 3 games of a series, the commentators would attend the games together.

 

For the last game of the series, the fan commentators take over the broadcast.  They should be allowed to use K-Zone as much or as little as they want.  The fan commentators in the field will have check-ins a few times during the game to talk to fans or show something cool at the park.  They would also get to do an interview on the field after the game.

 

I think these broadcasts could be a lot of fun.  The commentators can razz each other about their teams or their cities, argue close calls, and show some genuine fan emotion during the game.  But even more interesting would be the perspective the fan commentators could bring to the broadcast.  There are a lot of very entertaining, but also very knowledgeable people who run Twins Daily.  And I'm sure that's true of fan sites for the other teams in our division.  I truly believe that people would tune in for these broadcasts for the fan perspective, and keep tuning in because it will be fun (and refreshingly different).

 

And if it became a popular broadcast, it could be expanded to some teams outside our division in future years.

 

Anyway, it's something I would like to see.  So if anyone reading this has a connection with FSNorth, please pitch this idea.

[nicksaviking]

Interesting idea, if the Twins keep in their losing by ways FSN could start hiring sock puppets and it wouldn't matter.

I might shoot for assistant to the traveling secretary though.

[Don Walcott]

Just do the opposite, and I'm sure you'll get there.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Interesting idea, if the Twins keep in their lost by ways FSN could start hiring sock puppets and it wouldn't matter.

 

I might shoot for assistant to the traveling secretary though.

I'm in favor of sock puppets

[notoriousgod71]

Better idea: Dick and Bert could just read the game thread over the air.

 

And get rid of the five second delay.

[theBOMisthebomb]

I support anything to get Dick off the air as he is boring and nearly unwatchable and difficult to listen to. However, listening to a couple of amateurs for an entire game doesn't sound like an upgrade. Why not integrate some of your ideas into a professional broadcast? I have always wanted more screen time for Audra Martin.

[Oldgoat_MN]

If I live to be a thousand years old I suspect I'll never see this.

 

Really fun idea though. It would likely be a really interesting distraction.

[Don Walcott]

Thank you all for the feedback. With some preparation. I have no doubt that the amateurs picked by Twins Daily would entertain and educate. I also think it would be informative to hear the opinions of fans from other teams. Hey, if it doesn't work, it's a truly minimal risk.

[scottz]

I thought of a very similar idea a few years back. I called it FanGame.

[Vanimal46]

 

I support anything to get Dick off the air as he is boring and nearly unwatchable and difficult to listen to. However, listening to a couple of amateurs for an entire game doesn't sound like an upgrade. Why not integrate some of your ideas into a professional broadcast? I have always wanted more screen time for Audra Martin.

 

Me too, man. Me too. Marney Gellner and Audra Martin could provide as much value, if not more, than DickNBert most days. 

[notoriousgod71]

 

I support anything to get Dick off the air as he is boring and nearly unwatchable and difficult to listen to. However, listening to a couple of amateurs for an entire game doesn't sound like an upgrade. Why not integrate some of your ideas into a professional broadcast? I have always wanted more screen time for Audra Martin.

 

I always wanted more screen time for Telly.

[GCTF]

I nominate Levi and Pseudo. Stay on topic, fellas!

[GCTF]

 

I always wanted more screen time for Telly.

I think there's some kind of board reprimand for mentioning Telly without posting his amazing Carlos Gomez interview.

[notoriousgod71]

 

 

 

[notoriousgod71]

There were a couple other great ones I can't believe aren't on youtube.

 

One where he asked, "What kind of bats does you prefer- maple or wood?"

 

And another where he was carrying on about the peanut free zone then wondered why they still cost money.

[Riverbrian]

I could see FSN giving up a half inning at most to a normal Joe.

 

The feature would be sold... register at Cub Foods type thing.

 

 

If they can monetize it... They will consider it.

[DaveW]

I'd settle for Common Man calling a game or two.

[Doomtints]

When Brent Musberger used to call NFL games, we would watch the game on TV but listen to the WCCO radio feed.

 

Just do that if you don't like them. Gladden isn't perfect but he's not too far off from the "old timey" broadcasters which should be at least somewhat tolerable.