Monday Game Thread: Cedar Rapids Kernels on FSN!

[DaveW]

The complaining in this thread is hilarious.

[CairoCrown]

How about some love for my adopt-a-prospect Mason Melotakis?

He certainly seems to fit the "pitch-to-contact" mold.

[Riverbrian]

I challenge you to sponsor a poll asking if fans prefer:

 

1)an incomplete double-bordered split screen/talking head trio/floating starscape

 

or

 

2)a full screen view of the game with knowledeable, but invisible commentary

 

Jokin... It's what I do for a living... I already know the answer.

 

A. Broadcasting a single A game will not bring in ratings no matter the format.

B. broadcasting in this format will turn off the average fan as well.

C. It was a doomed experiment to begin with for any operation that needs ratings and advertisers to pay the bills.

 

I'm just enjoying it because Tom Kelly is passing along information that we don't get very often.

 

I am in the minority... tiny minority... but I seriously want to learn. This is completely educational and anybody who passes the information up for a slicker broadcast does not see the forest for the trees when it comes to the nuts and bolts of the organization.

 

And yes you are Right... that constitutes the Majority.

[DaveW]

I as well hate it when a regional sports network doesn't do exactly what I want for an 11am broadcast on a monday!

[Riverbrian]

That's a good place to go back to work.... Buxton with a triple...

[jokin]

Unbelievable!

[CairoCrown]

Kernals need a big inning to get Buck the chance for a cycle.

[jokin]

Jokin... It's what I do for a living... I already know the answer.

 

A. Broadcasting a single A game will not bring in ratings no matter the format.

B. broadcasting in this format will turn off the average fan as well.

C. It was a doomed experiment to begin with for any operation that needs ratings and advertisers to pay the bills.

 

I'm just enjoying it because Tom Kelly is passing along information that we don't get very often.

 

I am in the minority... tiny minority... but I seriously want to learn. This is completely educational and anybody who passes the information up for a slicker broadcast does not see the forest for the trees when it comes to the nuts and bolts of the organization.

 

And yes you are Right... that constitutes the Majority.

 

The problem with your analysis is that you can do both for your fan base- entertained and educated. I get that they don't want to make Cedar Rapids be as "big" a television screen presence as the big league club. But this is a failed experiment and a missed opportunity. I hope the organization learns from this. With the farm system being the story this year, they certainly have opportunities for more showcases up and down the system- they might even want to televise one of Gibson's games....oh no, wait....

[boylan]

Is this streamable somewhere for those without FSN?

[jokin]

I as well hate it when a regional sports network doesn't do exactly what I want for an 11am broadcast on a monday!

 

 

I know East Coast time makes it hard for many to tell what is happening, and when, in flyover country, but this game actually started after 12PM. And yeah, no one is entitled to a critique of the Twins' FO machinatons, except apparently, you.

[boylan]

Or, is this going to be available to view somewhere after the broadcast completes???

 

Thanks.

[jokin]

The complaining in this thread is hilarious.

 

Empathy isn't one of your stronger traits.

[CairoCrown]

Minor league fielding right there.

[CairoCrown]

Did Dalton Hicks get hurt on that swing?

[jokin]

Minor league fielding right there.

 

But not in CF...looks major league ready out there anyway.

[CairoCrown]

But not in CF...looks major league ready out there anyway.

Yikes, with Aaron Hicks going on the DL and recall of Arcia, Buxton might be the best option at CF. Is Clete Thomas the everyday CF now?

[CairoCrown]

Adam Brett Walker II says "Anything you can do, I can do in a similar yet not quite as flashy fashion."

[Riverbrian]

The problem with your analysis is that you can do both for your fan base- entertained and educated. I get that they don't want to make Cedar Rapids be as "big" a television screen presence as the big league club. But this is a failed experiment and a missed opportunity. I hope the organization learns from this. With the farm system being the story this year, they certainly have opportunities for more showcases up and down the system- they might even want to televise one of Gibson's games....oh no, wait....

Jokin... I'm back at work now so I don't know what's happening in the broadcast but I'll be watching the replay at 7PM. If I can get my work done this afternoon. If you have a problem with my analysis... I can't do anything about that. I'll still respect and read your posts. I agree that a full screen might be a better approach but it's such a small issue. This broadcast has been a once in a lifetime opportunity to be educated by Tom Kelly on things we don't hear and see a tiny version(split screen of Buxton) at the same time. The odds of this being a twice in a lifetime opportunity is so minute that it hardly matters. After you factor in the expense of the broadcast and the ratings that it will return. It won't be worth the bang for the buck. The Audience for baseball players that the majority of people don't know is simply not there. They could bring in HD Cameras and Mic the place up professionally with a crew of Buck and McCarver doing the PBP and the ratings are still going to say it's the small base of seam heads on Twins Daily primarily watching. I applaud FSN for thinking outside the box and trying this for my benefit... Not FSN's benefit. Buxton clears the bases with a double and we all think... Wow... That's wonderful... TK says yeah that's great but he should have been busting his ass for a triple instead of coasting into 2nd for a double. Next at-bat... Buxton hits the ball into Right Center... The ball gets cut off and he makes it in for a triple. Absolutely Beautiful... Education for us and you just got to see Buxton being coached at the same time. This is complete gold and you can't let the split screen distract from that. Being overly concerned about the broadcast is like worrying about the height of the midget you are looking at. FSN deserves applause from us ultra fans and we should all write them letters thanking them... not critiquing them. A letter of thanks will do more for another attempt at this than a critique because the ratings are going to say... Oops... I guess that it didn't work and it won't be because of the split screen. They had no shot from the get go so take advantage of this rare moment when it happens.

[CairoCrown]

It was nice to see Buxton play so well under the pressure of the spotlight today. That's what impressed me the most. I know it's only one game, but I'm really looking forward to seeing this guy in a Twins uniform in (hopefully) a couple of years.

[jokin]

Jokin... I'm back at work now so I don't know what's happening in the broadcast but I'll be watching the replay at 7PM. If I can get my work done this afternoon. If you have a problem with my analysis... I can't do anything about that. I'll still respect and read your posts. I agree that a full screen might be a better approach but it's such a small issue. This broadcast has been a once in a lifetime opportunity to be educated by Tom Kelly on things we don't hear and see a tiny version(split screen of Buxton) at the same time. The odds of this being a twice in a lifetime opportunity is so minute that it hardly matters. After you factor in the expense of the broadcast and the ratings that it will return. It won't be worth the bang for the buck. The Audience for baseball players that the majority of people don't know is simply not there. They could bring in HD Cameras and Mic the place up professionally with a crew of Buck and McCarver doing the PBP and the ratings are still going to say it's the small base of seam heads on Twins Daily primarily watching. I applaud FSN for thinking outside the box and trying this for my benefit... Not FSN's benefit. Buxton clears the bases with a double and we all think... Wow... That's wonderful... TK says yeah that's great but he should have been busting his ass for a triple instead of coasting into 2nd for a double. Next at-bat... Buxton hits the ball into Right Center... The ball gets cut off and he makes it in for a triple. Absolutely Beautiful... Education for us and you just got to see Buxton being coached at the same time. This is complete gold and you can't let the split screen distract from that. Being overly concerned about the broadcast is like worrying about the height of the midget you are looking at. FSN deserves applause from us ultra fans and we should all write them letters thanking them... not critiquing them. A letter of thanks will do more for another attempt at this than a critique because the ratings are going to say... Oops... I guess that it didn't work and it won't be because of the split screen. They had no shot from the get go so take advantage of this rare moment when it happens.

 

I think I'm going to devote part of this evening to breaking down the RB wall of words. And no, I wasn't overly concerned about height-challenged Marnie Gelner's interviews ("midget" is politically incorrect). Can't I "thank" the Twins and FSN for the gesture and offer some friendly critiquing, as well ( I did take the time away from work to watch this mess).

 

As far as "bang for the buck", I gotta think they can draw higher ratings on these types of efforts rather than some obsucre rodeo in Wyoming, crappy poker tournament--- or the 9,395th re-airing of the 50 Greatest Twins.

 

[jokin]

It was nice to see Buxton play so well under the pressure of the spotlight today. That's what impressed me the most. I know it's only one game, but I'm really looking forward to seeing this guy in a Twins uniform in (hopefully) a couple of years.

 

I am remaining optimistic that he gets the call-up sometime next season- hopefully so that he is in the opening day lineup in 2015. I had a chance to watch Buxton in person in May, he didn't have a game like today, but in person it's easy to see why he is such a special talent- even on his off-days.

[nicksaviking]

Dan Barreiro was mocking the Twins on KFAN for hyping Buxton like this while the big league club stuggles.

 

Well that's his schtick. He'll create his own his own line of logic to justify a daily rant. He pulled together two unrelated topics, Buxton getting hype and the Twins losing, to make the audience think something sinister is at play.

 

I can't stand him. He'll rant about things that 99% of the listeners agree with and make it sound like he's fighting a losing battle. Then the listeners think to themselves "Hey, yeah I also don't like bigots/wife beaters/Terrell Owens/Nazis, I totally agree with Dan!" I recall him freaking out about fans giving undeserved standing ovations because it undermined the ovation he gave Willie Mays once. "Geez Dan, I hadn't realized until now that Lew Ford is not as good of a baseball player as Willie Mays, anyone who stood and clapped for his totally unexpected career day that helped his team pull ahead in the bottom of the 8th should be ashamed!"

 

His bafoonary is a shame because when he sits down to do an interview with someone important he does a really nice job. Unfortunately flying off the hook about some inane detail about everyday life gives him better ratings so that's the avenue he takes.

[Riverbrian]

I think I'm going to devote part of this evening to breaking down the RB wall of words. And no, I wasn't overly concerned about height-challenged Marnie Gelner's interviews ("midget" is politically incorrect). Can't I "thank" the Twins and FSN for the gesture and offer some friendly critiquing, as well ( I did take the time away from work to watch this mess).

 

As far as "bang for the buck", I gotta think they can draw higher ratings on these types of efforts rather than some obsucre rodeo in Wyoming, crappy poker tournament--- or the 9,395th re-airing of the 50 Greatest Twins.

 

 

LOL... There is very little expense in the obscure Wyoming Rodeo or the poker tournament. Since that same Rodeo and Poker Tournament is being broadcast on all the FSN's around the country and the FSN management is fully aware of the audience/expense ratio on all broadcasts. Creating your own broadcast from Cedar Rapids Iowa is expensive because all the producers, camera people, in studio analysts, Satellite time or delivery method costs real money. If you don't draw a larger audience than the poker tournament. Do you think you will see it again if it cost's more and brings lower ratings. That's why they are focusing so much on Buxton. He's the name that the mainstream may know. That's why they go to a PBP when he hits. FSN may be planning something from New Britain and Sano... That would be awesome but they are out of the box bucking something and doing it anyway... This is not lost on me... Anyway, I can't argue this with you anymore... It isn't worth the bang for the buck!

[Otto von Ballpark]

What kind of viewership does FSN normally get when the Twins aren't playing?

 

I could easily see minor league broadcasts (or even replays) drawing better than fishing shows or whatever. Particularly when the Twins have a couple top-ranked prospects they are hyping. I could see Minnesota bars and restaurants showing a few of these games instead of the usual Sportscenter loop they do during lunch and in the afternoons. Replays, if they wanted to go that route, would work even better than MLB replays because far fewer people would already know the outcome of the game. And I imagine that showing a minor league game when the Twins have an evening off (or a rainout) would attract a bunch of Twins fans tuning in at the normal time for the MLB game, might even keep a few and build an audience for the minors. How many Twins fans are going to stumble upon this replay tonight? How many could have stumbled upon a game last Friday night?

 

And it doesn't have to be an expensive affair. They don't normally need the studio hosts etc., just show the game, which is already being recorded anyway, right? Maybe get TK or whoever on a conference call to add some audio commentary. They'd have to get broadcast rights with the minor league affiliates if they don't already have such an agreement, but I'm sure the minor league clubs would love it since they're all located outside the FSN range anyway.

 

For that matter, the Twins should really expand their MiLB.tv presence. Just eyeballing it, but it looks like the Twins are one of only 4 MLB clubs to not have an affiliate below AAA participating in MiLB.tv. With the state of the organization, that should probably be improved.

[jokin]

LOL... There is very little expense in the obscure Wyoming Rodeo or the poker tournament. Since that same Rodeo and Poker Tournament is being broadcast on all the FSN's around the country and the FSN management is fully aware of the audience/expense ratio on all broadcasts. Creating your own broadcast from Cedar Rapids Iowa is expensive because all the producers, camera people, in studio analysts, Satellite time or delivery method costs real money. If you don't draw a larger audience than the poker tournament. Do you think you will see it again if it cost's more and brings lower ratings. That's why they are focusing so much on Buxton. He's the name that the mainstream may know. That's why they go to a PBP when he hits. FSN may be planning something from New Britain and Sano... That would be awesome but they are out of the box bucking something and doing it anyway... This is not lost on me... Anyway, I can't argue this with you anymore... It isn't worth the bang for the buck!

 

That's the problem, they don't need to "create their own broadcast", just piggyback on already-existing resources. I gotta think you will more than make up the difference in viewership for the only additonal cost- satellite time. There is little need for the "big production values", people will watch when you have some of the top prospects in the organization- and in all of baseball- with the chance to just do their own showcasing, plus the help of the local announcer to add his own insights--- and also, Dave St Peter as your opening headliner is just not a winning strategy anyways.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Creating your own broadcast from Cedar Rapids Iowa is expensive because all the producers, camera people, in studio analysts, Satellite time or delivery method costs real money.

 

Correct me if I am wrong, but aren't they already recording video of the game for the team to use? Maybe it's just two cameras, but that's plenty for a minor league game. Your "producer" just has to switch between the two feeds, I guess. Add in the local radio play-by-play and you've got yourself a broadcast, just have to feed it back to FSN. Do it on a delay and it's even easier, you don't need a live satellite link.

 

Again, I am not suggesting they do this with every game (unless they want to do it for MiLB.tv) but just do it more frequently.

[PseudoSABR]

As an out-of-stater, I was unable to catch the broadcast, from reading the thread it sounds like Buxton had a fantastic game. But I would appreciate any detailed scouting reports/impressions etc. Make me believe the hype.

[jokin]

As an out-of-stater, I was unable to catch the broadcast, from reading the thread it sounds like Buxton had a fantastic game. But I would appreciate any detailed scouting reports/impressions etc. Make me believe the hype.

 

Believe the hype!

 

Hit legitimate screaming gappers to both power alleys, bouncing his shots off the walls. Showed incredible accelration on the triple to RF after a good read between first and second base on how the defense played his hit- probably one of very few players that can make that play in all of baseball. 2 tremendous routes on fly balls at the warning track- making them look almost effortless-- to go along with one unbelievable, fully-horizontally-extended, back to the infield catch in dead center. That one is sure to make it on ESPN tonight in some capacity. He did have a baserunning gaffe, getting picked off in the 1st- that is one area that is truly scary- thinking about how good he will be when he gathers more experience getting proper reads on pitchers' stretch movements and proper lead-off techniques down pat.

[CairoCrown]

As an out-of-stater, I was unable to catch the broadcast, from reading the thread it sounds like Buxton had a fantastic game. But I would appreciate any detailed scouting reports/impressions etc. Make me believe the hype.

He had two very good catches and one amazing catch in CF. All three would have gone for extra bases if they had fallen in. He got great jumps on the balls and tracked them well in the air to make the catches look easy. The amazing catch was on a ball hit to the warning track in left center. He dove and caught it backhanded right in front of the fence.

 

In his first AB, he hit a diamond cutter on a 2-2 count. Unfortunately, he was picked off and thrown out at second. His next AB he grounded out with a man on base. His third AB was a bases clearing double with nobody out. He took a pitch down and in and put a really quick swing on it, lining it to the fence in left center. His fourth AB was a triple to right center. He flicked it the other way. The center fielder cut it off deep in the gap and flipped the ball to the right fielder, but Buxton beat the relay anyway.

 

He displayed four of his five tools (never had the opportunity to show off his arm) and did it in arguably his biggest professional game to date. And he's not even 20 yet.

 

Edit: What jokin said.

[CairoCrown]

Just found this on twitter. Full video of the Buxton catch taken from the Kernels broadcast.