Fairland vs Fairfield Union

[formerfcfan]

Also, the radio announcers for FCSN were awful to listen to. Definitely missed The Old Cogers tonight.

Normally I wouldn't do this, but I'll do it anyways.

As someone who does work with them, I'm aware there is some of the disconnect (so to speak) between listener and what is between the headset. I'm not necessarily going to say "nah, these guys are Paul Keels and Jim Lachey" (no) but I do want to get some things clarified a little.

I didn't listen to this specific broadcast. I know that some of the ones I've been on the air for have had issues with technical things like volume input (either there is an issue with the mixing board, like the knob got turned or an input needs reconnected, or internet issues) and maybe a static, but those are things I wouldn't know unless someone I know is listening texts & lets me know.

I imagine you probably have some pretty fair, reasoned criticism. Completely get it. Here or PM, either is fine.

What I will say...

1) I know one of the issues sometimes boils down to information. Last year, we've had several games across sports (including football) where the rosters given are a little sub-standard in terms of what there is for us to work with. Sometimes there's games where we don't have starters listed, some games there's rosters where the kids are only assigned to very generic positional groupings (OL/DL; WR.) Sometimes there's teams where kids are wearing the same jersey.

1b) We don't have a spotter to identify ballcarrier/tackler. The crews only command two people. I can tell you when I've been on color, I do a little bit extra lifting to try and incorporate that 'spot' into the narration of what happened. Although that might not necessarily fit into the color person's responsibility (and instead be play-by-play), I know at the same time my PxP that I pair with might not be able to see who for instance comes up with a tackle or recovers a fumble beneath a pile. Sometimes I/we are fortunate to have the PA system bleed through the press box to where we can recite a spot if we weren't sure or wanted to confirm. Sometimes we aren't. Not sure if FU is one of those places or not where they could've.

2) I know that the philosophy that is really stressed hard is that we're out here to broadcast and record (to listen to later) games for the families of kids playing who can't be there, or would like a memento. Not mentioning this to convey a high-horse -- just that I know a lot of my fellow guys really come into the booth with a sincere focus on delivering a product where as many of the kids in our area can get some shine and praise for their hard work. That's not incompatible with also delivering a great-sounding, easy-listening broadcast for more people. I know that I personally place those two objectives at the same premium every time I'm on. I imagine everyone else does, too, but I do know that one advantage I have is a combination of a) youth, b) coaching/HS football game vision, c) a ton of speaking experience and d) can fill the broadcast well with conversation that flows into the game. Doesn't mean I'm great, no, but it provides for comfort and confidence. Have enough muscle on my legs to persevere through any snafus or awkwardness that can occur through the game/broadcast.

3) It may be that the weather could have played some of a role. I know it can get a little chaotic and disjointed if you have things like weather issues postponing the start or delaying the action, because you're sort of operating on a fluid situation where the level of information might not get to you very well... but you're still tasked with having to give some general information over the air.

Apologies for the long post. I didn't take anything necessarily negative out of your comment, but I did want to stand for my colleagues who were willing to do this game (I could have possibly done this one, but I couldn't commit to being available for it.)

[RJShifko]

The Fairland game tonight was the exact usage I have been looking for the last 2 years of Kam Kitts. He is a volume runner and he is at his best when he has the ball in his hands a lot. I have always felt Kitts becomes a real weapon when he gets the ball at least 20 times. He is a weapon in the passing game and he is a great zone runner. He is able to put his foot in the ground and make one cut down hill he is a player.
The fact that Wall can make all the throws and then use Kitts to run the ball makes this offense very good. I was glad to see Kitts get heavy usage tonight and he put on a show. Smith-Hayden will keep defenses honest because they are always a threat to take a pass over the top. I thought Graham does a nice job working routes underneath and keeps defenses honest.

This Fairland defense is pretty special they are such great tacklers and they play sound fundamental football. The ability to rush the passer helps force turnovers and the ability to cover the receivers will handcuff most high school offenses.

[HS Fball Fan]

I was wrong, this fairland team is different. How different, i dont know. Look forward to seeing how they do. Next ball game they should be in is Portsmouth. That will be a barn burner. Good luck

[DBL(_)7]

Also, the radio announcers for FCSN were awful to listen to. Definitely missed The Old Cogers tonight.

Normally I wouldn't do this, but I'll do it anyways.

As someone who does work with them, I'm aware there is some of the disconnect (so to speak) between listener and what is between the headset. I'm not necessarily going to say "nah, these guys are Paul Keels and Jim Lachey" (no) but I do want to get some things clarified a little.

I didn't listen to this specific broadcast. I know that some of the ones I've been on the air for have had issues with technical things like volume input (either there is an issue with the mixing board, like the knob got turned or an input needs reconnected, or internet issues) and maybe a static, but those are things I wouldn't know unless someone I know is listening texts & lets me know.

I imagine you probably have some pretty fair, reasoned criticism. Completely get it. Here or PM, either is fine.

What I will say...

1) I know one of the issues sometimes boils down to information. Last year, we've had several games across sports (including football) where the rosters given are a little sub-standard in terms of what there is for us to work with. Sometimes there's games where we don't have starters listed, some games there's rosters where the kids are only assigned to very generic positional groupings (OL/DL; WR.) Sometimes there's teams where kids are wearing the same jersey.

1b) We don't have a spotter to identify ballcarrier/tackler. The crews only command two people. I can tell you when I've been on color, I do a little bit extra lifting to try and incorporate that 'spot' into the narration of what happened. Although that might not necessarily fit into the color person's responsibility (and instead be play-by-play), I know at the same time my PxP that I pair with might not be able to see who for instance comes up with a tackle or recovers a fumble beneath a pile. Sometimes I/we are fortunate to have the PA system bleed through the press box to where we can recite a spot if we weren't sure or wanted to confirm. Sometimes we aren't. Not sure if FU is one of those places or not where they could've.

2) I know that the philosophy that is really stressed hard is that we're out here to broadcast and record (to listen to later) games for the families of kids playing who can't be there, or would like a memento. Not mentioning this to convey a high-horse -- just that I know a lot of my fellow guys really come into the booth with a sincere focus on delivering a product where as many of the kids in our area can get some shine and praise for their hard work. That's not incompatible with also delivering a great-sounding, easy-listening broadcast for more people. I know that I personally place those two objectives at the same premium every time I'm on. I imagine everyone else does, too, but I do know that one advantage I have is a combination of a) youth, b) coaching/HS football game vision, c) a ton of speaking experience and d) can fill the broadcast well with conversation that flows into the game. Doesn't mean I'm great, no, but it provides for comfort and confidence. Have enough muscle on my legs to persevere through any snafus or awkwardness that can occur through the game/broadcast.

3) It may be that the weather could have played some of a role. I know it can get a little chaotic and disjointed if you have things like weather issues postponing the start or delaying the action, because you're sort of operating on a fluid situation where the level of information might not get to you very well... but you're still tasked with having to give some general information over the air.

Apologies for the long post. I didn't take anything necessarily negative out of your comment, but I did want to stand for my colleagues who were willing to do this game (I could have possibly done this one, but I couldn't commit to being available for it.)

Fairland fan here. Just want to say the announcers did fine. Was actually one of the better ones I have listened to for a high school game.

[dantargaryen]

Also, the radio announcers for FCSN were awful to listen to. Definitely missed The Old Cogers tonight.

Normally I wouldn't do this, but I'll do it anyways.

As someone who does work with them, I'm aware there is some of the disconnect (so to speak) between listener and what is between the headset. I'm not necessarily going to say "nah, these guys are Paul Keels and Jim Lachey" (no) but I do want to get some things clarified a little.

I didn't listen to this specific broadcast. I know that some of the ones I've been on the air for have had issues with technical things like volume input (either there is an issue with the mixing board, like the knob got turned or an input needs reconnected, or internet issues) and maybe a static, but those are things I wouldn't know unless someone I know is listening texts & lets me know.

I imagine you probably have some pretty fair, reasoned criticism. Completely get it. Here or PM, either is fine.

What I will say...

1) I know one of the issues sometimes boils down to information. Last year, we've had several games across sports (including football) where the rosters given are a little sub-standard in terms of what there is for us to work with. Sometimes there's games where we don't have starters listed, some games there's rosters where the kids are only assigned to very generic positional groupings (OL/DL; WR.) Sometimes there's teams where kids are wearing the same jersey.

1b) We don't have a spotter to identify ballcarrier/tackler. The crews only command two people. I can tell you when I've been on color, I do a little bit extra lifting to try and incorporate that 'spot' into the narration of what happened. Although that might not necessarily fit into the color person's responsibility (and instead be play-by-play), I know at the same time my PxP that I pair with might not be able to see who for instance comes up with a tackle or recovers a fumble beneath a pile. Sometimes I/we are fortunate to have the PA system bleed through the press box to where we can recite a spot if we weren't sure or wanted to confirm. Sometimes we aren't. Not sure if FU is one of those places or not where they could've.

2) I know that the philosophy that is really stressed hard is that we're out here to broadcast and record (to listen to later) games for the families of kids playing who can't be there, or would like a memento. Not mentioning this to convey a high-horse -- just that I know a lot of my fellow guys really come into the booth with a sincere focus on delivering a product where as many of the kids in our area can get some shine and praise for their hard work. That's not incompatible with also delivering a great-sounding, easy-listening broadcast for more people. I know that I personally place those two objectives at the same premium every time I'm on. I imagine everyone else does, too, but I do know that one advantage I have is a combination of a) youth, b) coaching/HS football game vision, c) a ton of speaking experience and d) can fill the broadcast well with conversation that flows into the game. Doesn't mean I'm great, no, but it provides for comfort and confidence. Have enough muscle on my legs to persevere through any snafus or awkwardness that can occur through the game/broadcast.

3) It may be that the weather could have played some of a role. I know it can get a little chaotic and disjointed if you have things like weather issues postponing the start or delaying the action, because you're sort of operating on a fluid situation where the level of information might not get to you very well... but you're still tasked with having to give some general information over the air.

Apologies for the long post. I didn't take anything necessarily negative out of your comment, but I did want to stand for my colleagues who were willing to do this game (I could have possibly done this one, but I couldn't commit to being available for it.)

Thanks for your post.

What made it hard to listen to was they kept talking over top of each other, but not really adding to the conversation or call of the game.
Additionally, and I understand that its Fairfield County radio, but it was like listening to two Fairfield Union dads talk about the game rather than two radio hosts. There was also one point toward the end that one of the radio hosts was commenting on how Fairland was not doing the usual victory formation, and the other host started talking to him like he was someone who had never watched a down of football rather than a colleague and someone who maybe was trying to explain something to the listener at home, and it was a bit off putting.

I get it, radio play-by-play is difficult. I have friends that do it for other media outlets, and sometimes you just have to wing it when there are delays in the game, or there's a break in the action because they have to move chains or there's an injury or something. I'm also not saying that I would have been lightyears better, I have done PA work, but haven't done radio aside from coming in to do an interview. But, it was not a great listening experience last night trying to follow the game.

[formerfcfan]

Also, the radio announcers for FCSN were awful to listen to. Definitely missed The Old Cogers tonight.

Normally I wouldn't do this, but I'll do it anyways.

As someone who does work with them, I'm aware there is some of the disconnect (so to speak) between listener and what is between the headset. I'm not necessarily going to say "nah, these guys are Paul Keels and Jim Lachey" (no) but I do want to get some things clarified a little.

I didn't listen to this specific broadcast. I know that some of the ones I've been on the air for have had issues with technical things like volume input (either there is an issue with the mixing board, like the knob got turned or an input needs reconnected, or internet issues) and maybe a static, but those are things I wouldn't know unless someone I know is listening texts & lets me know.

I imagine you probably have some pretty fair, reasoned criticism. Completely get it. Here or PM, either is fine.

What I will say...

1) I know one of the issues sometimes boils down to information. Last year, we've had several games across sports (including football) where the rosters given are a little sub-standard in terms of what there is for us to work with. Sometimes there's games where we don't have starters listed, some games there's rosters where the kids are only assigned to very generic positional groupings (OL/DL; WR.) Sometimes there's teams where kids are wearing the same jersey.

1b) We don't have a spotter to identify ballcarrier/tackler. The crews only command two people. I can tell you when I've been on color, I do a little bit extra lifting to try and incorporate that 'spot' into the narration of what happened. Although that might not necessarily fit into the color person's responsibility (and instead be play-by-play), I know at the same time my PxP that I pair with might not be able to see who for instance comes up with a tackle or recovers a fumble beneath a pile. Sometimes I/we are fortunate to have the PA system bleed through the press box to where we can recite a spot if we weren't sure or wanted to confirm. Sometimes we aren't. Not sure if FU is one of those places or not where they could've.

2) I know that the philosophy that is really stressed hard is that we're out here to broadcast and record (to listen to later) games for the families of kids playing who can't be there, or would like a memento. Not mentioning this to convey a high-horse -- just that I know a lot of my fellow guys really come into the booth with a sincere focus on delivering a product where as many of the kids in our area can get some shine and praise for their hard work. That's not incompatible with also delivering a great-sounding, easy-listening broadcast for more people. I know that I personally place those two objectives at the same premium every time I'm on. I imagine everyone else does, too, but I do know that one advantage I have is a combination of a) youth, b) coaching/HS football game vision, c) a ton of speaking experience and d) can fill the broadcast well with conversation that flows into the game. Doesn't mean I'm great, no, but it provides for comfort and confidence. Have enough muscle on my legs to persevere through any snafus or awkwardness that can occur through the game/broadcast.

3) It may be that the weather could have played some of a role. I know it can get a little chaotic and disjointed if you have things like weather issues postponing the start or delaying the action, because you're sort of operating on a fluid situation where the level of information might not get to you very well... but you're still tasked with having to give some general information over the air.

Apologies for the long post. I didn't take anything necessarily negative out of your comment, but I did want to stand for my colleagues who were willing to do this game (I could have possibly done this one, but I couldn't commit to being available for it.)

Thanks for your post.

What made it hard to listen to was they kept talking over top of each other, but not really adding to the conversation or call of the game.
Additionally, and I understand that its Fairfield County radio, but it was like listening to two Fairfield Union dads talk about the game rather than two radio hosts. There was also one point toward the end that one of the radio hosts was commenting on how Fairland was not doing the usual victory formation, and the other host started talking to him like he was someone who had never watched a down of football rather than a colleague and someone who maybe was trying to explain something to the listener at home, and it was a bit off putting.

I get it, radio play-by-play is difficult. I have friends that do it for other media outlets, and sometimes you just have to wing it when there are delays in the game, or there's a break in the action because they have to move chains or there's an injury or something. I'm also not saying that I would have been lightyears better, I have done PA work, but haven't done radio aside from coming in to do an interview. But, it was not a great listening experience last night trying to follow the game.

Appreciate the response.

I’m not going to confer a judgment on what got discussed. I will say that, having an idea of how some broadcasts go at times, the general homer’ing (to whatever extent) and the ripe window for meandering chatter are both things that I at times have thought (privately) could make for poor listening in these non-local vs local games that get penned onto the schedule.

That’s not to say those things, or any generally objectionable thing, would be necessarily more acceptable if it was local v local. Only that, in these games where an opponent is far away, it would be imperative to be more mindful of what is said…. because unlike say a Bloom-Carroll vs Fairfield Union that could accrue 200 listeners where everyone has previous exposure to the broadcasts and no one has ever said anything critical after a game (thereby reinforcing some mores/habits over time), in the case of this game it was possibly 100 listeners from Fairland listening to the outfit for the first time over. Setting aside the reputation angle, just like we’re there to broadcast X, Y, and Z schools we need to also prioritize a good listening experience for the fans of the other team two hours away.

I’ll pass this on.