Everytime the playoffs roll I start to get this nauseous feeling. Why? Because I know it's going to be on Fox.

Here's my issue with Fox; now I don't claim to know anything about directing a telecast. But it seems like they show everything BUT the game. Not only that, but how many close up do you need???? They show close ups of the fans, the pitcher, the batter, the coaches, the bullpen, etc. Give me a shot from the centerfield camera of the pitcher, catcher and batter!!! For goodness sakes, when they finally do cut the pitcher the play is over!

And it seems like they are more concerned about getting the commercials in than covering the game (I know that's the point, but I've seen times where they cut back from commercial and there's a man on first).

Anyone sick of this or is it just me??

You try to do a live coverage. Those directors and t.d's don't have a cue on when exactly those pitchers will let go of those pitches. Or when those batters will be swinging. They do the best to cover it all. A wide shot would be boring and wouldn't throw you in the middle of it.

People may be sick of that, but you have to deal with it. They have a lot of cameras to work with and they try to do their best. deal with it.

while i agree that Fox coverage of playoff baseball sucks i don't think its for the reasons you cite. i think their visual coverage (meaning replays, number of different cameras and camera angles) is just fine. its their overuse of cheesy graphics and awful commentators that i can't stand. their graphics are always overbearing and obnoxious...if they would just show essential information in a more classy manner they'd be much better off for it. less is more. personally, i think the duo of Buck/McCarver is atrocious, even the generally thoughtful and interesting insight of Senator Al is lost among their obnoxious banter. and Jeanie Zalasko (or however you spell it) is the worst female sports personality on tv. period. im sure someone out there likes her but to me its not even open for debate.

as for the close ups of the fans and players, i think thats an important part of playoff coverage...at least in the Boston/Yankees series. the look of desperation on the Boston fans' faces really adds something to the urgency of an extra inning game. same with the players' expressions...as much as i hate looking at Derek Jeter or A-Rod, their expressions can say a lot about the rivalry and the playoffs in general. i find it to be interesting.

with that said, their coverage hasn't bothered me as much the past two nights as before but i think thats because of the excitement of the games. and when i say that i'm talking about the ALCS.

if i could have it my way, every playoff game would be on NBC...the voices of the Bobs Costas and Euker are playoff baseball. but thats just me.

I'm loving the reaction shots of the Massholes. The kid covering his face and peeking through his fingers, the old guy who's used to it by now, the girlfriend who rolls her eyes at her boyfriend who's got his fingers double crossed and is muttering to himself in a self depricating haze. Classic stuff.

The real question is, who thought scooter was a good idea?

God, scooter is the only thing that needs to die a slow and painful death.

i forgot about Scooter. thats some shitty shit right there.

- the off-center angle behind the pitcher is indefensibly awful
- the "Diamond Cam" angles are worthless
- the "wooshing" sounds are unnecessary distractions
- Zelasko is hideous and stupid
- the pop music transitions are obnoxious
- Tim McCarver is the worst color guy in broadcasting
- Scooter

1. huh? you mean the batter/pitcher angle used by practically every baseball broadcast? if Fox's is different i honestly didn't pick up on it.

2. agreed. i thought it was funny that Posada buried the cams in Yankee Stadium before or during games 1 and 2. im not sure what difference it makes to him but i found it amusing.

3. their sound effects are terrible.

4. hahahaha

5. a Crazy Town intro for Bernie Williams? wha?

6. kill him.

7. him too.

FOX is, and would be, no worse then any other station doing the broadcasts.

aint that the damn truth.

Their HD broadcast is pretty sweet, if you turn off the sound...

I agree. The graphics and sound effects that they add are tired and obnoxious. If Fox never came along we probably would never have to deal with the stupid sound effects and Scooter! I really don't like McCarver, but I think Joe Buck and Al Leiter are alright. Joe Buck has a good voice and he doesn't do much beyond just calling the game, which he does just fine.

I like the idea of having a current player in there that has faced the guys that they are watching. Leiter adds an interesting perspective and it's less time for McCarver to talk. Last year they had Brett Boone doing games and surprisingly he clammed up. Boone does entertaining post game interviews, but he was a disappoinment in the booth. Leiter was a nice improvement.

definately agree with that .. was trying to tune into the local AM station last night but my house doesn't get AM reception for some reason so I was stuck listening to dumbass mcarver

I would agree with you about the Diamond Cam angles, but Damon's bat shattering in Game 3 made the Diamond Cam worth it. That was one of the coolest shots that I've ever seen on a baseball broadcast.

The pop music transitions are played in the stadium, and that's bad enough. I have no idea why Fox went the extra mile and started doing those "coming up next" intros to the inning.

McCarver sucks. He is horrible. Thank God for Al Leiter, he has added so much to the commentary that I almost forget how much McCarver and Mr. Slam-A-Lam-A-Ding-Dong sucks. (Also, why is Fox trying to turn Joe Buck into the Bob Costas or Al Michaels of Fox? He just isn't that good at either baseball or football.

My girlfriend likes Scooter, I think that it's time to break up with her.

I agree that they show too many close-ups of the fans, but I noticed it more at Fenway. I mean, after all, it is Boston and the fans reactions provide as much drama as the actual game sometimes.

Actually Joe Buck is the second best play-by-play guy in the business next to Bob Costas, imo. The problem is that he is paired up McCarver all of the time. Buck is very knowledgeable about the game and he is quite witty. There were many times over the past season where I would tune out McCarver and just laugh at Buck.

Yeah, you may want to break up w/ your old lady.

I actually like FOX's coverage. Yeah the bells and whistles (and Scooter) can be annoying, but otherwise, I think the production is first-rate (especially the on-field audio) and I really like Joe Buck on play-by-play.

If I see the woemn with the Thankyou Ortiz signs one more time I am gonna puke.

I saw more of them then joe Torre.

Fox stinks, and Bill Webb used to be a great director.

but the HD looks great!

It's horrible because the Redsox and Yankees are playing.

to tell you the truth, i never thought of it that way. i don't think i've ever heard Buck without McCarver so that is a good point. he probably would be less annoying to me. Al Leiter has been a nice addition, especially being a pitcher. i think his comments about the pitchers and types of pitches they toss brings a nice level of understanding, something both Buck and McCarver lack.

all this talk of horrible baseball announcers got me thinking...my list of evil voices.

1. Tim McCarver
2. Steve Lyons
3. Tony Gwynn
4. Joe Morgan (say what you want about this guy...GREAT ballplayer, bad bad BAD in the booth. he says some of the dumbest shit)
5. Joe Buck*

* although, as i said above, it would be better to hear him without McCarver

and if we're taking about sports in general add Joe Thiesman and Dan Derdorf to that list. those two make me cringe. to me, a good announcing team relays timely and relevant information without going overboard or taking your attention away from the play on the field. as i said, the Costas/Euker team fit the bill for me.

because you're not a fan of either team. games 4 and 5 of this series are two of the best games i have ever seen in terms of excitement.

Fox's sports coverage is always ostentatious. It doesn't really bother me, though. It probably will tonight since I'll be looking for it though. Thanks a lot!!!

yep! and seeing bosox fans has been horrible!

I'll say that fox's 5.1 audio and HD is #1 in my book.

I can actualy do without all the shots of the fans (but it may be that I see too much of them because the games have been 5 hrs long)

Scooter is a good thing - the GF likes it. and he is on like once a game

How the hell can you hate Steve Lyons? That guy is one of the best. He combines humor with real player perspective.

Al Leiter represents everything that is right with FOX Baseball Telecasts.

Tim McCarver represents everything that is wrong.

Scooter's a retard. WebMD's injury report is stupid too. Thanks, WebMD. I had no idea where Schilling's ankle was.

Yeah - I think Lyons is one of the best. Leiter has been very good. I don't hate McCarver like everyone else seems to. I don't like him either though.