Hey guys,

I work at MASN on the O's Xtra shows, which everyone knows comes on before and after Orioles games.

We're looking to add some segments to the show this season to bring the fans closer to the team, and vice versa....so I figured I would call upon O's fans to ask what kinds of things would you like to see on the show?

Things that will want to make people come out and see our great ballpark and come watch an O's game.

More features about Players? Orioles Trivia-based segments? Minor league players?

If you have any kind of ideas, try to be as specific as possible.

Thanks,
ML

How about a segment where an Orioles fan gets a one-on-one interview with an Orioles player or coach. You could ask viewers to submit a list of questions they would like to ask a specific player or coach, and select the best to have a short interview with said player. I'm sure it would be a thrill for the fans, and might be fun for the players to answer questions from someone besides the regular media members.

Last season Jim Palmer said some things on the air that were as close to actual, real-life criticism of the organization's pitching staff as I have ever heard on any Orioles-sponsored broadcast. I found it quite refreshing. Palmer certainly has the credentials to recognize the difference between good pitching and bad pitching when he sees it. I would love to see him be allotted a five-minute post-game segment where he could critique the game's pitching -- with the bark off. No penalty for candor and the blunt truth.

(I realize it takes Jim five minutes just to introduce himself. Maybe he could do that off-camera.)

Can we get the away game broadcasts for O's Xtra in HD? I tune in occasionally for the pre-game show and usually hang around for awhile on the post game show during the homestand if I'm not at the game but I'm not staying on MASN if the pre/post game show isn't in HD.

Maybe that's just a problem with DirecTV.

Thanks Greg, I'll write it down and see what happens.

I'm afraid though, that they'll think it's too close to the "Hey Rick" segment, but you never know.

Anyone else have any kind of ideas floating around of cool things they'd like to see on O's Xtra? Let's hear 'em!

Anyone else have any kind of ideas floating around of cool things they'd like to see on O's Xtra? Let's hear 'em!

A quick 5 minute segment recapping some of the top minor leaguers in the system and how they are doing would be a great addition to broadcasts. If you want the fans to buy into their being hope, you have to show them the exciting guys, which all happen to be in the lower levels. Casual fans have no idea Machado, Bundy or Schoop exist. Get them to take an interest in the younger guys coming up, they might get more interested in the rest of the team that will be built around them.

It's kinda like the Nationals approach, they started going after a fanbase when they had Strasburg and Harper coming up through the minors, by the time they hit the majors, all the fans are foaming at the mouths to see them live.

Definitely like the idea of a no-filter Jim Palmer. Maybe Jim takes questions from fans? You could ask people around the park to send in questions for Jim, you can send out Twitter and Facebook requests to O's fans to send in questions for Jim. Anything to get Jim talking about pitching is good television for baseball fans. And I know Jim loves talking about pitching. I like that idea. It doesn't necessarily have to be "How do you throw a curveball?" It could be, how do pitchers have to learn how to work hard and smart when they come to the big leagues? What intangibles are important for pitchers? How do you study video of hitters? In what ways is it important for pitchers and catchers to interact during games? Again, these are things Jim could spend 24 hours each on, but segments with Jim unrelated to an individual game would be cool.

Exactly. A few times last year during games, Jim let slip (or just let loose) some very insightful comments about why certain Orioles pitchers were not performing as hoped. Tillman was one, and I heard him twice on Matusz. His reasons were forthright and analytical. He wasn't just blowing off steam.

After one of these episodes, apparently Jim felt he needed to justify his remarks. He ended by saying, "I'm the analyst here and I assume that's why they pay me, and that's what I am trying to do, to explain why -- in my opinion -- these young pitchers aren't living up to their expectations."

It was very refreshing to hear a candid assessment from a man who knows what he is talking about, and has the record to back it up. Frankly, I don't know why Jim Palmer isn't the pitching coach, unless he just doesn't want the hassle of the job.

The spotlight on some of the minor leaguers is a great idea.

I also think there definitely needs to be a more critical opinion of the team on the air. You can't just gloss over the fact that the team is terrible because you're the team's broadcaster. Have some segments about what they can do to get better. More unfiltered Palmer is definitely a good thing, and I'd like to see more of that as well with some of the other folks that were brought in to be guest announcers last year, like Brady, Eddie, McDonald, and others. Get their perspectives on what the team needs to do to stop being such a joke from top to bottom.

Get Roy Firestone (HUGE O's fan and excellent interviewer) to do interviews with the players. I can tell you, it would go over very, very well.

A quick 5 minute segment recapping some of the top minor leaguers in the system and how they are doing would be a great addition to broadcasts. If you want the fans to buy into their being hope, you have to show them the exciting guys, which all happen to be in the lower levels. Casual fans have no idea Machado, Bundy or Schoop exist.

This is actually something we are discussing and want to do a weekly feature of sorts. Yes, the younger guys in the minors need to be shown so that casual fans aren't clueless when they do arrive in Baltimore. Thank you for your suggestion.

Mackus,

An unfiltered Palmer is always a good thing, because it is refreshing when he simply tells it like it is. Unfortunately, I have no control over what he says on the air, but segments with Palmer and some other great Orioles on their perspective of the team is to get it better, maybe the things they'd like to see. You just have to tread the line, unfortunately, of where you don't want to come off sounding like you are badmouthing the team.

But I like the idea of getting like a roundtable perspective almost I can picture.

While we are talking about MASN in-general...

A few thoughts on the Mid-Atlantic Sports Report:

I'm a personal fan of Phil Wood, and greatly appreciate his historical knowledge of the game. (Have interviewed him twice.) I respect Mr. Johnson's direct history in the game, and his pitching knowledge. I interviewed Mr. Antonen for my blog last Winter. Good guy, with great National contacts from his time with USA Today and SI.

That said, I think their information can appear dated. Meaning they are not using the most current statistical information, which makes many of their arguments limited. I like the idea of a panel discussion. I think the idea of having both the O's and Nationals covered in one show hurts. O's fans have zero interest in what is going on with the Nationals, and conversely the same is true. It is my understanding that a fair amount of $$ was invested into the studio, but it is not entertaining to the eye. It appears to be held in a Corporate Board room, and Mr. Davis is regularly out of the shot. I think even a couple of flat screens behind the analysts would be more attractive.

I'd also like to see this show not only prior to the game, but post-game as well. At least the format of a panel discussion. I'd like to see more guests as well. Self-serving, I'd like to see the guests be local writers/bloggers, other local media... but I'd also like to see National voices brought in for interviews and external perspectives.

Thoughts on the game telecast:

I understand if wOBA is not shown for each batter, but I would like to see OPS. I think the stats shown could be improved.

Further incorporation of Social Media, particularly live commentary via Twitter from followers. Perhaps as a scroll?

Thoughts on the Pre / Post Game:

Perhaps mini-versions of what HBO does with their 24/7 programming. The idea of showing travel, and life on the road. How players train, and prepare.

I think viewers would also like to see some behind the scenes programming on life in The Warehouse. Not just the Baseball Operations Department, but how the other Departments operate.

Some O's Executives from non Baseball Ops Departments, would also be interesting candidates for Q&A sessions with the public.

Melewski could be utilized more, particularly with the looks at the Minor Leagues, and giving on-air discussion of some of his interviews.

Hey guys,
I'm Joe. I work for O's Xtra and we are currently brainstorming new ideas for the show in 2012. We have some solid ideas already drawn up for the upcoming season, but I wanted to ask the fans what they would like to see during the pre and post game shows. I'll take into consideration all ideas for new segments. After all, we put on our show every night for the fans. Thanks, everyone!

Mackus,

An unfiltered Palmer is always a good thing, because it is refreshing when he simply tells it like it is. Unfortunately, I have no control over what he says on the air, but segments with Palmer and some other great Orioles on their perspective of the team is to get it better, maybe the things they'd like to see. You just have to tread the line, unfortunately, of where you don't want to come off sounding like you are badmouthing the team. Etc....

Might I ask, why? In case you haven't noticed, the team is eminently badmouthable. Just to bring you up to speed, the team has lost more games than it has won for 14 consecutive years. That's the final three years of the Clinton administration, the entire Bush 43 administration, and the first three years of the Obama administration.

Here is a suggestion for your little TV network, which is controlled by the same Ownership who has ruined the Baltimore Orioles franchise and humiliated its fans: you ought to be happy some people still watch your network. Ever since I moved to Florida I pay a measly $100 a year and I can watch every MLB game on MLB.tv -- including the Orioles, whenever I feel like it. But there are tons of alternatives to the Orioles, and frankly, the Ownership doesn't seem to understand that. He obviously thinks Orioles fans will support the team under his ownership forever.

So, how about fixing the team first? Then you won't have to gimmick up your broadcasts. Duh.

I for one, have had it. When the real Baltimore Orioles return I will, too. Until then, I'm not wasting any more time on the Peter Angelos Traveling Baseball Impersonators of South Baltimore.

Harrison Bush
Lady Lake, Florida
mailto: [email protected]

p.s. - For what it's worth, I attended my first Orioles game in 1958 and have been a loyal fan ever since; and I was an 81-game season ticket holder for several years, until I decided that Peter Angelos should be paying me to attend his team's games.

Mr. Bush, thanks for posting on the blog, and now posting here - it is appreciated.

All of us share anger over the failures of the O's over the last 14 years. However, your comments to these MASN staffers is misplaced. They are not in position to impact the Baseball Operations Department. They are simply asking for input on ways to improve the TV product. Lets give them feedback they might be able to use.

Mr. Bush, thanks for posting on the blog, and now posting here - it is appreciated.

All of us share anger over the failures of the O's over the last 14 years. However, your comments to these MASN staffers is misplaced. They are not in position to impact the Baseball Operations Department. They are simply asking for input on ways to improve the TV product. Lets give them feedback they might be able to use.

Mr. Stoner,

Thank you for the advice. I know they don't manage the baseball operations. They are in a position to pass along comments to the person who is in charge. If they do that then I did give them input on ways to improve the TV product. A better team will attract more viewers.

Also, just between you and me: try to avoid writing in the passive tense whenever possible. "I appreciate your posting here" sounds much more sincere than "...it is appreciated." That sounds like a low-level flunky at the State Department wrote it.

Bush

Mr. Bush, thanks for posting on the blog, and now posting here - it is appreciated.

All of us share anger over the failures of the O's over the last 14 years. However, your comments to these MASN staffers is misplaced. They are not in position to impact the Baseball Operations Department. They are simply asking for input on ways to improve the TV product. Lets give them feedback they might be able to use.

Mr. Stoner,

Thank you for the advice. I know they don't manage the baseball operations. They are in a position to pass along comments to the person who is in charge. If they do that then I did give them input on ways to improve the TV product. A better team will attract more viewers.

Also, just between you and me: try to avoid writing in the passive tense whenever possible. "I appreciate your posting here" sounds much more sincere than "...it is appreciated." That sounds like a low-level flunky at the State Department wrote it.

Bush

Wow too bad this is my first posting here. The folks on MASN (on and off camera) may well be Orioles' fans, however it's not their job to try to influence the way things go on the field. It's easy enough to sit there and say "well they're in a position to make an influence" and so forth, however their jobs is to continue to put out a decent over-the-air product regardless of the team's record. It's really not the fault of anyone at MASN that the team is what it is, however certainly it goes without saying that the ratings would be better if the team was. However that's out of anyone's hands at MASN, or anywhere else.

Hey guys,

I work at MASN on the O's Xtra shows, which everyone knows comes on before and after Orioles games.

We're looking to add some segments to the show this season to bring the fans closer to the team, and vice versa....so I figured I would call upon O's fans to ask what kinds of things would you like to see on the show?

Things that will want to make people come out and see our great ballpark and come watch an O's game.

More features about Players? Orioles Trivia-based segments? Minor league players?

If you have any kind of ideas, try to be as specific as possible.

Thanks,
ML

First off, I love O's Xtra. I think it's very well done, and I love having it done from the ballpark during home games. I'm not sure this is possible, but maybe they could either choose a specific place or rotate around and do the show from different area bars while the team is on the road? As a broadcast major I understand that the cost of doing a live remote isn't exactly nominal, however it would be a cool feature for fans to be able to see the show done live. It wouldn't even have to be every game or series...perhaps just a few series a year, once or twice a week, or something like that.

If you're taking suggestions for on-air features, again this would be something that would in effect be while the team is on the road. Perhaps they could do a ballpark tour of some sort for each ballpark the Orioles visit. Obviously it wouldn't be a nightly feature, and some stadiums (ie-Fenway) would only need to be shown once, however it would give fans an idea of what other parks are like.