In the Broadcast Booth – Part 1

September 3, 2007

(I’ve decided to break this into parts so it doesn’t get so dreadfully long that people stop reading partway through)

Kings and Queens of Multitasking
Accompanying VIDEO | PHOTOS | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

Pre-Game and Opinions Are Like (Miscellaneous)…

While watching or listening to games, I often wondered how the broadcasters pulled up stats so quickly, what kind of technology they used to aid them, and what their routines are like. So I thought hey, why not take a game to see? I pitched the idea to the the Nats PR and they very graciously agreed and we scheduled the date. Woohoo! This adventure into the broadcast booths had been planned for about two months. Waiting for the day to arrive was agonizing, plus I was a little nervous ahead of time. While I’ve been credentialed before, it was for the photography pit and I pretty much kept to myself or chatted with people I knew. This time, however, I was a blogger invading the broadcast booths and would be not only talking to people I hadn’t much in the past, but covering them as well. While most have given me positive receptions to date, I couldn’t help but wonder how they’d take my presence. I made sure to be presentable and not do anything to project a stereotypical “blogger” image, and naturally I spilled green tea on myself on the way to RFK after Mr. Chatter suggested I drive my “fun” car that is so old it doesn’t have cup holders. Thankfully, the tea dried clear. At least, I hope it did and no one was laughing at me when I bent over to pick up my bag or something (cuz you know, it runs down on those old vinyl seats). However, everyone was wonderful and I couldn’t have felt more comfortable once things got under way and a huge heartfelt thanks goes out to everyone!

I arrived at 4 PM and after passing through the media entrance and security, made my way to the stadium bowl. I peered down and only saw Nationals players and coaches on the field beginning to stretch. No media people were in sight. I made my way around and peered up at the radio booth since I was supposed to start out by shadowing Dave Jageler, but I didn’t see anyone up there. Tentatively, I made my way down through the seats toward the field and stopped in the Diamond Club seats where I saw Don Sutton sitting in the front row. Believe it or not, I’m shy, and I figured he wouldn’t know who I was, so I plopped my bags down in about row 10 after smiling and nodding, and sat down to wait for Jageler. I called Lisa, my chaperone, and she came down to meet me on the field about the same time Dave Jageler emerged from the dugout. And the evening was on…

Two days before the big day, Barry Svrluga stirred things up on his Nationals Journal blog when he posted about the status of Washington Post Radio dropping their programming and the future of Bonneville carrying the Nats games, as well as the contract status of the tv and radio braodcasters. The gist is only TV announcer Don Sutton has a contract beyond this season. Svrluga also asked for readers’ opinions on the two broadcast teams, and boy did the readers give them!

As an internet dweller, my initial nervousness covering the broadcasters was compounded on the heels of the comment thread. Sure enough, that post and ensuing comments were a popular topic throughout the evening and I was asked about it within about five minutes. I think conversations about Teddy’s potential victory just barely edged out a win (unlike Teddy himself). So let’s get some of that out of the way because yes, everyone read that thread (well, I can’t speak for the tv guys because I didn’t really have a chance to talk to them).

Regarding the complaint that the radio team doesn’t give score updates frequently enough… Dave Jageler reminded me that he started out broadcasting basketball games, where he relayed the score after every play – a habit that has carried over into baseball. I didn’t really talk to Charlie Slowes on this particular issue, but he has read the thread. He also used to announce basketball for the Bullets. Maybe someone should listen to a game and make a tick mark on their scoresheet every time the score is announced to see how frequently or infrequently it really is? Would be an interesting exercise. I have no complaints, I’m just relaying… They did seem pleased that most of the feedback about them was positive.

I am surprised with the season winding down that the Nationals haven’t offered contract renewals to the radio team. I can’t imagine how disconcerting it is to be heading into the off-season unsure of your employment for the next season. I have grown quite accustomed to both their voices and quirks and affinity for IHOP and can’t imagine adjusting to new voices and personalities coming through my radio. The continuity would be good for the fans and it’s clear the two make a fantastic team and enjoy working together. But what if they find other jobs while waiting for an offer from the Nationals? As Charlie Slowes said, “I would do my family a disservice if I didn’t put my antenna up,” regarding other job offers if the season ends and he hasn’t been contacted by the Nationals regarding next season. “I love everything about the situation here,” he continued, but he’s got to think of supporting his family.

What’s not to love? By all appearances, the Nationals are a very family-friendly organization. I got a kick out of seeing the access badges for Dave Jageler’s kids. I’m sure it’s a normal aspect in the course of their employment, but certainly not anywhere I’ve worked. I can picture filling out a form for “family member badges” and the kids sitting and posing for their IDs. Dave Jageler’s wife (an avid reader, so she gets bonus points!) told me the booth is “kid central” in the middle of the season with radio engineer Jack Hicks’ boys added (one of whom is the artist on the “Best Dad” sign hanging by his equipment, I’m sure). Of course, when the team and anyone associated with them travels as much as they do during the course of the season, naturally you’d want your family to spend as much time with you as possible.

Ok, moving on to the pre-game! Turns out that Dave was in manager Manny Acta’s pre-game press conference and had I found him a little earlier, I could have shadowed him in there. Darn! So that’s where everyone was! I had guessed with Matt Chico being recalled and set to start Sunday, Chico would be the interview for the pre-game show. I guessed correctly, but the interview was already done and recorded, contained in the recorder Jageler was carrying in his hand.

Pre-game mostly entailed a lot of standing around, watching BP, and chatting with players, coaches, and the team masseuse. I later spied Charlie Slowes chatting with Manny Acta, along with Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post. A broadcaster for the Giants wandered across the grass to chat with Dave. The two appeared to know each other quite well and joked easily. They exchanged information on players little-known to the opposing broadcasters, such as vitals from the starting pitchers’ last starts or time in the minor leagues. As they were chatting, I noticed a commotion in the right field corner and wandered around so I could see past the batting practice netting. Teddy sat on a throne, carried in by Nat packers. At first I thought they were doing it as a joke before it dawned on me they were practicing for the presidents race on Teddy Roosevelt bobblehead night. I can tell you that Teddy did not fall during the practice run.

We were standing along the railing separating the field from the stands with Lisa when Robert Fick and Dmitri Young began playing catch right in front of us. Lisa commented on Fick’s sunglasses. I said they reminded me of Tron – I’m not sure why. It’s been eons since I’ve seen that movie and they probably resemble nothing from it. Fick replied with something to the effect of letting that slide because of my red hair (hmm.. if it was purple would he say the same?). Dmitri threw wide to Fick and I leaned back against the railing (they were steps from us out from the edge). “Are you scared?” Fick asked. Of course not! They’re professional ball players and I’m sure they wouldn’t throw wildly and hit us, right? (and would I admit it if I was? Ha!)

Jeff Green of the Seattle Sonics (1st round draft pick of the Celtics) was on the field taking batting practice with the team and posing for photo ops. He actually launched a decent line drive to the outfield at one point while I was paying attention. Nobody was really talking about basketball, though. The big buzz on the field was the big Michigan football loss. Jim Bowden arrived on the scene animated in his track suit, but I don’t know if he was talking about football or something completely different.

Just before 6 PM, Dave told me it was time to head up to the booth. We wound our way up through the stadium seats and headed to the booth… I would have never found my way there on my own! (to be continued in Part 2)

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