Anyone else LOVING the ASG broadcast?

[Deertick]

I'm loving the mic'd up. I mean, someone has to get Manoa on a stationary bike between starts! He was panting after a few pitches.

Opposing layers talking to each other from the dugouts, guys talking through their AB, ect. The announcers had very little mindless stat reading or 'interesting' anecdotes. And no strike zone box or endless scrolls!

I could see this format bringing in new fans.

[Carter08]

Originally Posted by Deertick

I'm loving the mic'd up. I mean, someone has to get Manoa on a stationary bike between starts! He was panting after a few pitches.

Opposing layers talking to each other from the dugouts, guys talking through their AB, ect. The announcers had very little mindless stat reading or 'interesting' anecdotes. And no strike zone box or endless scrolls!

I could see this format bringing in new fans.

The pitchers that came, came to throw and throw hard. The ASG is still pretty amazing in my opinion.

[mrreality68]

I enjoy the game and the players being Mic'd made it slightly interesting but I do not see the mass population getting into that gimmick.

The game itself was good and the pitchers were pitching which was good but I am sure the ratings will be low especially with minimal homers and nothing on the line.

[Mike D.]

I'd agree it was interesting. I think it's nice letting the players show some personality. It makes the players and the game more marketable without getting in the way of game play.

[BobbyStrawberry]

I enjoyed some the mic'ed up aspect. My biggest issue with the Fox broadcasts is John Smoltz- great player, horrible commentator IMO

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by BobbyStrawberry

I enjoyed some the mic'ed up aspect. My biggest issue with the Fox broadcasts is John Smoltz- great player, horrible commentator IMO

agreed Smoltz is not a very good commentator

[Deertick]

Originally Posted by Mike D.

I'd agree it was interesting. I think it's nice letting the players show some personality. It makes the players and the game more marketable without getting in the way of game play.

It was fun, but it would seem way more intrusive to game play speaking with a batter than a pitcher. ASG is an exhibition, so no real harm. They really were having fun. Can't see it flying in competition, though.

It brought back memories of my playing days.

[clydepepper]

Thought it was great...the only things I didn't like was coming back from commercials late, thus missing some of the game action and 'Papi in the house'...for the same reason.

[Mike D.]

Originally Posted by Deertick

It was fun, but it would seem way more intrusive to game play speaking with a batter than a pitcher. ASG is an exhibition, so no real harm. They really were having fun. Can't see it flying in competition, though.

It brought back memories of my playing days.

Agree that it wouldn't fly for a hitter...and really, even a pitcher is pretty questionable...OK in an exhibition like the AS game, but during the heat of a real game that matters? Probably not great.

They do it with fielders during regular season games, mostly OFers when I've seen it, and that seems to work pretty well.

[Mark17]

Originally Posted by Deertick

It was fun, but it would seem way more intrusive to game play speaking with a batter than a pitcher. ASG is an exhibition, so no real harm. They really were having fun. Can't see it flying in competition, though.

It brought back memories of my playing days.

+1 Best thing to me is that the players were clearly having fun and that was contagious. I used to be a pitcher-catcher so those conversations brought back memories of my playing days. At first I thought it was odd the catcher (Trevino) kept asking the pitcher what he wanted, rather than calling the game himself, but then I realized he was catching those guys for the first time, so they weren't familiar with each other.

The uniforms were terrible. In football, uniforms of the 2 teams need to contrast for obvious reasons, but in baseball, much less so. It was much better when players wore their regular unis. If MLB wanted to sell more shirts, just issue a new set to the participants with a special patch, like they used to.

I was glad the MVP went to games at that same ballpark, and sat in left field where he hit his home run, when he was a youngster. Baseball starts as a game for kids and remembering that is cool.

In summary, this was the most entertaining game I've seen in quite some time.