I'm not sure if this is a one time thing or a new regular deal, but the ESPN Sunday Night broadcast tonight of the Dodgers and Pirates has seven... count them, seven announcers. Karl Ravetch and Barry Larkin doing PBP and color in the booth, plus Eric Wedge in the stands behind home plate, Mark Mulder and Aaron Boone along each of the baselines/next to the dugout, Doug Glanville behind the wall in center, and Buster Olney in the press box. None of them are in a traditional "sideline reporter" type role, they're all taking turns speaking. It's kind of like Pierre McGuire when he does color commentary between the glass, except with six Pierres.
It's not as obnoxious as you might think. They're not talking over one another and they don't really need anyone directing traffic. It seems like an interesting idea if you have the right people, but with the people they have, it's basically six dudes speaking uninteresting platitudes rather than one or two. And there is really not more than a second of quiet or deferring to the sounds of the game.
Also, I feel like baseball is one of the last sports you need to have eyes all over the park for. It's not like there's a ton to follow at any given moment.
Is anyone else watching this? Is this something they've done before?
It's not as obnoxious as you might think. They're not talking over one another and they don't really need anyone directing traffic. It seems like an interesting idea if you have the right people, but with the people they have, it's basically six dudes speaking uninteresting platitudes rather than one or two. And there is really not more than a second of quiet or deferring to the sounds of the game.
Also, I feel like baseball is one of the last sports you need to have eyes all over the park for. It's not like there's a ton to follow at any given moment.
Is anyone else watching this? Is this something they've done before?
