The problem with no TV

As you well know, Saturday's Indians-Mariners was not on television for only the second time this season. Unfortunately, STO did not have an option to air the game. It was originally scheduled to be one of the Fox national games of the week, but was dropped a couple weeks ago from the Fox schedule. The Mariners did not change the time of the game from it's original 12:55 PM pacific time start, which falls in the Fox broadcast window. Because of this, Fox has exclusive broadcast rights, and we didn't even have an opportunity to pick up the game.

The problem with that is two-fold. Number one, you don't get to see the game (a 9-6 Indians win which ended a 10-game road losing streak). The second thing is we have no video from the game yesterday because it was not on any TV network. That means we can't show highlights, or any kind of player packages in today's game. So when normally we would want to run a highlight package of Shin-Soo Choo's 3 hits from Saturday, we don't have that option. So not only did we not get to see the game Saturday, we won't be seeing any highlights from the game today or any day the rest of the season.

The good news: that is the last time it should happen in 2008. So enjoy the rest of the season right here on STO and WKYC.

To Uplink or Downlink?...That Is The Question....

Over time I have been asked by folks "How do you send the video back from various locations around the country?". Today, class is in session!

I had posted these pics before but wanted to show them again and talk about what we call an uplink truck. It is a portable unit that provides audio and video from a remote location. You can see from the dish on top of the truck that it can be programmed to be aimed toward the sky. The signal is sent toward space to one of many communication satellites that have been placed along the horizon. And over time, they have been developed for certain phone service and GPS navigation systems. We still use them for our work in television, but more and more we are relying on video fiber lines to provide us with delivery from the site to home base.

Now that's how the signal returns from Florida - and in our
case, to WKYC where our master control is located (we will have more on that later). From
there it is dispersed to your antenna, cable, or satellite services. So the thought for today is to think of how many connections we have from the beginning of the show we are producing to your
living room....depending on the path, it could be a few or many. Those are the real basics - but enough for you to know that when the slide on the screen says "Please Stand By - Technical Difficulties" there is a good chance we are working on the video signal!



The last part of the equation is the most important - the people that make this entire process work! We are fortunate to work with the best in that regard. To the engineering men and women from coast to coast that assist us with our signal - a very hearty thanks for all your help during the season. Without them, Indians baseball on the tube would not be possible.

More on this as the season progresses! Thanks for checking out the overview!

Snowbound Progressive Field.....

Today was a great day to head over to the baseball field and check out some camera positions for the upcoming season. We might be making a couple of changes and thought we would swing over and take another peek at them. It always looks so desolate in the winter - but even having said that, it is indeed one of the better looking parks around the leagues. Great sight lines and an open look to the city make give it some real flair. Hey I worked out of old Cleveland Stadium... growing up with it, then working out of it, and then saying goodbye are all fond memories but this park has soemthing special (so much for unbiased reporting!).

Now I sit here typing this and watching a game on STO featuring the Indians and the Red Sox in a regular season broadcast from Progressive Park, and I can't wait to begin the season (Beckett vs. Carmona). After seeing the snow all over the field and standing on home plate today (or approximately where it is), and now watching the Indians take the lead in this game, I have to admit, I am ready to go!

We looked at sightlines, foul lines, and baselines - having to guess for all of them. There is a good sense about what we would like to do and how we will proceed, so that should not be an issue. I will have more on that as the season draws near - and explain in greater detail the objectives we would like to accomplish.

I started to think that maybe this is what opening day may look like in 2008...we know what it looked like in 2007! Somebody said "break out the zamboni". HMMMM....I will have to check the longe range forecast, the groundhog outlooks, the Farmer's Almanac, and also check to see if my left knee is throbbing (a sure-fire weather predictor).

Naw............ it couldnt happen again................. could it?

Heading to the 'Haven....

There is no doubt it is winter in Northeast Ohio. The beauty of Spring and with it, Indians baseball seem to be months away... So while you are waiting, there is nothing better than watching a light dusting of snow drop over the area, while enjoying the heat of a warm fire from the friendly confines of your home. (Snow is best viewed that way...)


But if you sit back and relax, and close your eyes, you may hear the crackling within the fireplace - but you may drift off thinking that it is the sound of Tribe bat cracks....one after the other. And the wind that is whistling around the house and through the trees, just may sound more like the roar of the crowd after a big defensive play or a game winning hit. That warms things up a bit.... and then cruel reality strikes - someone has to shovel the driveway....


Take heart sports fans....baseball is in the air - it may be Florida air - but it is indeed that time again. And for one last year, that means trekking to the 'Haven...or more commonly known as Winterhaven. The birds are heading north and Indians fans are heading south - taking advantage of one more glance at Cleveland's baseball complex in Central Florida. There will be many visitors from the area looking to take a "spring break" and many others who wish they were making the trip.


So if you cant board that plane jetting south bound or your family's schedule or pocketbook wont allow to make you the trip either, dont worry! You can sit by the fireplace and join us on STO for 8 games from Chain O'Lakes Park. At the end of the month, you will be able to see the last game from Winterhaven on March 27th. Then head to he closet, dust off your uniform, and grab a hot dog, because Opening Day comes your way on WKYC-TV on March 31st at 3:00 PM - with plenty of pregame fun prior to the first pitch! And through the 2008 campaign check out the bulk of the schedule either on WKYC or SportsTime Ohio - all in high definition!


And throughout it all, this will be a page that you want to mark as we bring you some behind the scenes thoughts, stories, and happenings from the Indians TV crew. Some of it will be a little technical but mostly it will be just fun... A chance for us to tell you how the show is going or how great the steaks are in Kansas City! This will be called "From the Truck" - from the folks who present to you the telecast of the show. It should be a great season on the field and we are equally looking forward to many success on your HD screen. So join us for the ride - it should be a great time!