NLDS

I’ve never been to a playoff game much less go into the clubhouse after a win.

I got the call up to the majors on Tuesday for the Saturday NLDS game 3, Cincinnati Reds vs Philadelphia Phillies. Midwest Uplink, a satellite truck out of Indy, was providing the uplink for MLB Network. They needed someone to be on the field for the live reports, before the game, in case something went wrong.  I had to be on site at noon, all the cable had been run the day before, so most of the day was waiting around. The camera crew and producer were from NY and incredibly fun to work with. We did live stand ups, Ken Rosenthal talking to the studio, and some interviews. They sent back footage of Doc Halladay doing sprints in the outfield around 12:30. I asked the producer why he would be at the park so early. He said, “He’s just a beast. Always working out and trying to get an advantage.” Yikes, almost eight hours before a game and, unless something goes seriously wrong, he won’t even play. But there he is working out.

This was the first time I had been on the field of Great American Ballpark. It was great being in the dugout, on the field during BP and warm-ups, and just to see the stadium from the field like a ballplayer. I didn’t watch the game from the camera platform in the dugout. It was too crowded with photographers, video crews and others. So I watched the first two innings from the press box, but it was packed like the stadium and you can’t cheer in the box. What fun is that? So I took a walk around the stadium to shoot some video and just get a feel of the game and crowd. It was standing-room-only just a real big league park should be. During the clinch game it was only 75% full. It takes opening day and a playoff to sell out the stadium, with a few exceptions.

At the top of the 9th inning I met up with the crew in the hallway that comes out of the Phillies dugout, on the opposite end from the clubhouse. Then we moved just outside of the dugout. The Red media handlers lined us up single file against a wall, like we were getting ready to jump out of a C-47 transport onto Normandy. We did all have gear in both hands or strapped to us. It was bottom of the 9th (with the Reds down 2-0) and we couldn’t see the field, but one of the guys had a radio and gave us reports. We heard a roar go up from the crowd. “Brandon Phillips singles” Maybe, just maybe... OOOOOOO, from the crowd. “Double play, 4-6-3.” Okay, maybe not.  After the last out, we get ready to go on the field when security asked us to move to one side so the umpires and get though. I had worn my maroon cap with EKU on the front and as the umps came down the steps the plate umps looks at me, smiles and says, “I like your hat.” “Thanks.” It was a humorous end to a sad game.

We set up our position in front of the Phillies dugout to capture the team celebrating sweeping the Reds. We were hardwired to the satellite truck so we couldn’t move. We did get a shot of the team drenching Cole Hamels in Champaign. But most of the team had already moved into the clubhouse. The 2nd portable unit went with them. Luckily the audio guy had borrowed some rain gear to keep the Champaign off. Our tape runner Marisa was not so fortunate. She looked like kitten that had fallen into the pool.  We never got an interview on the field, but I had a clubhouse pass, so after things quieted down I went to check out some of the celebration. Plastic sheets, with NLDS Champs logos, hanging over the lockers. All the team, reporters, cameramen and our runner were soaking wet.

I’m still not such a grizzled pro that this wasn’t amazing event to me. There’s a lot I didn’t take advantage of. I didn’t walk through the Reds clubhouse before the game, I didn’t watch any of the game from on the field, I wanted to run out to center field as if it were the top of the first in the World Series. Yet, to be there, to be paid to be there and to be on the field of dreams (sorry, I just couldn’t not use it) for the first playoff in Cincinnati 15 years! The first in GABP. It was a first for me.

sights and sounds of the park

A last side story. I was telling the crew about once I held the World Series trophy. The the audio guy, Todd, tells me he’s held them all: World Series, Lombardi,  Stanley Cup, NBA, Masters and a few others. The camera guy Sal, who worked for the NHL, said he got to keep the Stanley Cup for a day and has held a some of the others too. Then the Sat. truck owner Paul tells similar stories. My story is no longer special in this group. Just to all the other people I know. ;-D. 

Lebanon & UC

The fall of the year keeps me busy most weekends with football. Even if it’s the least stressful and least paid games. Such as Lebanon City Cable. They city owned operator with their owned local origination channel. The pay is only $100, but, because they set-up early, I don’t have to be there until 6:30 for a 7:oo pm game.  Then, after the game, it’s just 30 minutes to tearout and go home. I finally had a decent game. Because of a blocked punt, the game was 14-13 Lebanon over Miamisburg with seven minutes left. Lebanon scored with three minutes left to make it 21-13. Miamisburg made a good drive, but with the ball on the Lebanon 45 the QB hit two receivers who dropped the ball on successive plays. On third down and interception for a pick 6. Ending the game.

Saturday was a 7pm UC game with a 2pm call time. It’s was 111th annual Battle for the Bell for the rivalry that got it’s start in 1888. While Miami leads the series 59 wins to 49 (with seven ties)  UC has won every game since 2006. And this game would be no different. The halftime score was 45-3. In the second half UC put in some 2nd string players and that’s where the score stayed.

Fall into Some Work

I got a last minute call to be an assistant on a machinery shoot. It was interesting this machine, that was bigger than an M1-A1 tank, spit out little 5 gallon plastic jugs.

Thursday, yet another exciting game for wazoosports. Eastern High School in Louisville beat Shelby Co. 48-6.

Friday I went back to the Reds, but again, the Astros tied up the game. And again, Jay Bruce came up in the bottom of the 9th, then again in the 11th, but this time no heroics, Houston won. We did get to see the Reds pull off a squeeze bunt to score a run from third.

Saturday morning was a little different shoot. I was getting video for a Insight Cable commercial of a bank in Aurora, IN. The bank wanted to show they were involved in the community. So, I went to shoot a parade, while the workers rode the float handing out candy and such. There were so many entries that even after the parade started we waited an hour before their float got underway. But after they got going it was none stop. I’d run up in front of the float, get my shots, and do it all over again for about 30 minutes. I decided to skip my walk that afternoon and for the next three days.

CLINCH

If I were to pick just one game to see the Reds play this year, I picked a good one. Tuesday Sept 28th. Wood was pitching a perfect game through 5. Then Houston tied it up. Aroldis Chapman came in to retire the top of the ninth. Throwing 100 and a 101mph pitches. Then in the bottom of the 9th, Jay Bruce was first up and took the first pitch over the center field wall and the Reds win the the division for the first time since ‘95. 30,000 fans go ballistic and explode with more energy than the fireworks going off above the stadium. The chant of BRUUUUUUUCE was everywhere: in the stadium, in the concourse, down the ramp and across the bridge after the game.  My friend Ed said, “This is the most exciting thing in sports I’ve even been a part of.” Amen.

It’s hard to record something and enjoy and be in the moment, but I’m glad I did.