Fox will have 85 microphones around U.S. Cellular Field because 84 weren’t enough. The network figures it might miss a fan breathing extra heavy in the left-field bleachers.
Talk about blanket coverage for the World Series. Fox isn’t leaving a blade of grass unturned, mainly because it will have cameras in the grass too.
The army of personnel and equipment Fox is bringing to this year’s World Series is quite a contrast to the last time the event visited Chicago. Back in 1959, four cameras were used to telecast the action from Comiskey Park.
This year Fox will have five cameras just in the center-field area. All told the network will have 28 cameras (maybe more), three production trucks and two on-site edit facilities. There will be 150 personnel operating out of a 50,000-square-foot compound behind the left-field seats.
“Our mission statement always has been to bring the viewer closer to the field,” said Jerry Steinberg, Fox Sports senior vice president of operations. “When a guy dives for the ball in the outfield, we want to hear the breath leave his chest.”
For the second year Fox will employ cameras inserted just off the pitcher’s mound, first base and home plate. The device is about the size of a pencil, although considerably more expensive.
“You can see the pitcher’s mechanics, the play at the plate,” Steinberg said. “You get the player’s point of view.”
Fox wants to make sure its cameras capture every aspect of a play, especially the controversial calls. It will have cameras focused on the players and fans to get reactions to those calls or big plays.
In this age a network can’t afford to miss a thing. The viewers demand nothing less.
It is a much different world since 1959, when color television meant strange, blurry hues. Never mind 1959, Steinberg said, television has made incredible strides since 1999, especially with the advent of high-definition technology.
Fox now has so many toys at its disposal, the biggest challenge is knowing when to use them appropriately.
“They say you can’t do too much,” Steinberg said. “But we need to find a balance between too much and what makes sense.”
On the call
For all the visuals and sound effects, most fans will judge the quality of the telecast by the announcers. Joe Buck will handle play-by-play, working his eighth World Series at age 36.
Tim McCarver will be doing his 16th World Series, the most by any television broadcaster. He did his first in 1985, working with Al Michaels and Jim Palmer on ABC’s coverage of the St. Louis-Kansas City matchup.
Fox is interested in bringing back Lou Piniella for the World Series, but the former Tampa Bay manager may not be available as Hurricane Wilma heads toward Florida. Piniella worked with Buck and McCarver on the White Sox-Angels ALCS.
Listening in
You should have cable if you’re interested in turning down the TV sound and listening to the home team coverage on WMVP-AM 1000. WMVP program director Jeff Schwartz said the calls of John Rooney and Ed Farmer will match what you will see from your cable feed.
Schwartz said it’s impossible to sync up the station with every television delivery system, as free, cable and satellite feeds all hit your screen at various speeds. Consult your local engineer for a more detailed explanation.
During the ALCS, WMVP hooked up its signal with free television. That meant if you were watching on cable, you heard what happened from Rooney a few seconds before seeing it on television.
WMVP, though, decided to sync up with cable for the World Series, because the vast majority of viewers get their television fix that way.
Hawk grounded
Sox television play-by-play voice Ken Harrelson turned down Farmer’s offer to sit alongside Farmer and Rooney in the radio booth. In fact, Harrelson said he is going to avoid the commotion and remain at his winter home in Orlando during the Series.
“I’m just going to hunker down here,” Harrelson said.
The wrap-up
WFLD-Ch. 32 will begin its pregame coverage at 5 p.m. Saturday. The crew will include Mark Suppelsa, Robin Robinson and Corey McPherrin. Jack McDowell will be back to do some analysis. . . . Comcast SportsNet will have a one-hour pregame show at 5:30 p.m. for the first two games of the series. It also will have an extended postgame report with analysis and interviews. . . . WMVP will broadcast from remotes at various locations on the South Side and near the ballpark.
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esherman@tribune.com
