Editor’s note: Yesterday, we profiled the Spanish language broadcast crew at Softbol Radio, headed up by Cristian Lacout. Today, we share a bit about the ISC Broadcast crew in Midland, Michigan, which has been broadcasting virtually non-stop since a week ago Friday.
In 2009, the ISC World Tournament and ISC II Tournament of Champions was merged under one umbrella – just as the two divisions were for competition on the field in 2010. For 2010, the ISC Broadcast crew worked with a new streaming vendor, Meridix, which brought lots of new features, including the fan-favorite on-screen graphic scoreboard to go with the live stream. Of necessity, it also saw the introduction of pay-per view, to help towards the expenses involved in producing the broadcasts, and bringing the staff from around the continent for the weeklong event.
Meridix, an internet software broadcasting company was founded by computer and business whiz kid, Tyler Feret, who it in high school. His company, Meridix Creative Inc., has clients in sports leagues from as far as Puerto Rico. The 22-year-old was impressive enough that the clients at a business meeting later told Ferret’s father Ronald that “(Tyler) blows my socks off.”
But beyond all of the technical advancements of the broadcasts, are the people that make up the ISC Broadcast crew, and the commitments they make to bring the live action to computers around the world, whether its’ in video or audio format. We hope that have enjoyed the broadcasts this year, and that you’ll have a chance to tune in for the final day of a great ISC World Tournament, Midland 2010.
(Photo by Maddy Flanagan, www.maddysphotos.com) – click to enlarge
Blair Setford, Kyle Smith and Lance Winn at ISC World Tournament 2010
The quartet of Kyle Smith, Lance Winn, Blair Setford and Joe Todd have been on the scene in Midland Michigan this year, from beginning to end, with help yours truly and guest color commentators including Bill Hillhouse, Derek Pukash, Chad Honnaker, Kyle Beane and more. Without the help provided by these players/color men, we simply could not provide the depth and scope of coverage required to do the tournament justice.
Ballparkradio’s lead play-by-play man, Kyle Smith, has anchored the ISC’s 36 game schedule of broadcasts for the 2010 ISC World Tournament in Midland Michigan
Kyle Smith, a graduate of Mohawk College broadcasting program, who also broadcasts minor league baseball and hockey and Lance Winn of CBC (Canadian television) are the “working pros” of the crew, lending their experience in the world of broadcasting to the productions.
Kyle has become the “voice of Ballparkradio” throughout the summer, working non-stop, or so it seems through the month leading up to the ISC World Tournament with stops in Kitchener (Legends Fastball Classic), Tavistock (Tavistock Ontario Tournament), Erie Pennsyslvania (Erie Tournament) and a full week in Stratford Ontario (Canadian Midget Boys Championships), taking the baton from yours truly who had the opportunity to broadcast from Orlando (AAU), Santa Barbara (Best of the West) and San Diego (Cal Classic). The summer long broadcast schedule provided the opportunity to learn and test the new Meridix system, now in use at the ISC.
Lance Winn has been taking time our of his summer for a number of years, blending his experience as a ballplayer and broadcaster, with the ability to carry broadcasts as play-by-play man, and provide some great entertainment, including those extra inning gems that he seems to be a magnet for.
Blair Setford, Co-program director
Co-program director Blair Setford has been a part of the ISC’s streaming operation since 2004, with stops in Fargo, Chippewa Falls, Kitchener, Kimberly, Rock Island, and now Midland. Blair laid out the ambitious 36 game schedule, maximizing the coverage available to the fans, fulfilling his official duties as an officer of the ISC, and somehow still finding time for a full slate of broadcasts in the booth where he has been a mainstay since 2004. Did I mention that he also played in his first ISC World Tournament, notching his first ISC hit – a home run — for the Toronto Gators?
Joe Todd, shown here at left, with Steve Sabourin at right
Joe Todd was the original 2003 ISC II Tournament of Champions broadcaster, back in the early days when the ISC Streaming broadcast program was just getting off the ground. Joe’s reputation among the crew and fans alike is his thorough preparation for each game that he works, as the crew’s # 1 color commentator.
The guys in the booth will be the first to tell you that they have the easy part, and would not be able to bring you the live coverage without the production crew.
Executive Producer Dave Blackburn, shown here at right, with original ISC broadcaster Ron Chambers at left. Dave, the man who brought streaming broadcasts to men’s fastball, will be inducted into the ISC Hall of Fame in 2011.
Executive Producer Dave Blackburn is the innovator who brought live streaming media to men’s fastball back in 2001, working with tech guru Greg Panos to literally create the productions from the ground up. Since 2005, using the ever present “Tri-Caster”, they have worked to deliver – and improve – the live streaming video broadcasts delivered to a world-wide audience. The ISC has recently recognized David Blackburn’s efforts, announcing his pending induction into the ISC Hall of Fame for 2011, in the “contributions to the game” category. A well deserved honor for someone who changed the face of men’s fastball.
Others toil throughout the week, largely unseen and unknown, but hugely appreciated by the broadcast crew.
Rosanne Allan serves as assistant Executive Producer, fully capable of manning the controls of the Tri-Caster, but equally important as the person who links all of the “moving parts” together, making sure that all cameras (and cameramen) are operational during the games, and trouble shooting any problems which arise.
Rosanne’s daughter, Jessica Allan has joined the crew, the ever-smiling face in the booth, who tends to a myriad of tasks, including hands-on operation of the Tri-Caster. Jessica has become an integral part of the operation, helping to make sure that things run smoothly.
Cousins Mike Betz and Gerry Betz are the full time cameramen for the ISC TV Broadcast production. While we sit in the comfort of the broadcast booth, taking turns at the mike, these two somehow find the stamina to survive the grueling schedule of broadcasts, sitting for hours on end in the hot sun (and sometimes rain), enabling us to bring fastball fans the live action game after game, day after day. In the early days of the video broadcasts, the cameras were manned by a list of volunteers who shared the duties. The addition of these two full time cameramen, Mike and Gerry has improved the quality of the broadcasts, that seem to get better by the day. Due to work commitments back home this year, my broadcast duties were cut short. Upon returning home mid-week, I found myself in the same position as other fans – relying on the streaming broadcasts that I was able to catch here and there, for my dose of fastball action. It gave me a fuller appreciation for the value of the coverage – the ability to flip on a computer and “be there” for all of the exciting action.
The “family” connection of the production team goes beyond Rosanne and Jessica Allan. This year, with the advent of the Meridix “on-screen” graphic scoreboard, the ISC broadcast crew needed to find volunteers to operate them. Enter the sons of cameraman Gerry Betz, Geoffrey and Derek Betz. Like many of the youth of this new generation, Geoffrey and Derek arrived carrying “Macs” (Apple computers). With volunteers in short supply, within hours of their arrival, they had gone to work to learn and master the operation of the scoreboards, something that fan emails tell us adds a great deal to the enjoyment of the broadcasts.
And last, but certainly not least, in making the ISC Broadcasts an enjoyable experience, are, of course, fastball fans, who login, watch, listen, and comment via emails to the booth, keeping us on our toes, and giving us the feedback to carry us through the long days (like one the other night that took Kyle and Blair into the wee hours of the morning, to 2am with that Kitchener-Chicago/NY game). It is that steady stream of input from all of you, which helps us improve the quality of the broadcasts, and to know that the work is appreciated and worthy of the effort.
As I look at the clock on my computer, I see that we are minutes away from the start of broadcasts for this ninth — and final day of the 2010 ISC World Tournament. Broadcasts are set to go at 11am, 1pm, 4pm and 7pm EDT. So I will close now, and head over to the broadcast site, where I can hear the familiar refrain…….
“Live from Currie Stadium in Midland Michigan, you’re watching and listening to the 2010 ISC World Tournament !”
Yours truly, Jim Flanagan, Ballparkradio