Anyhow, I was on the phone with my good friend from Virginia this afternoon discussing the Orioles and Ravens football, and the topic turned to MASN (Mid-Atlantic Sports Network) a regional sports network which broadcasts in the Washington-Baltimore market owned by the Baltimore Orioles and Peter Angelos.
My mind got going this morning when I read an article in the Washington Examiner about MASN and their baseball coverage next year. The article reported that MASN personalities, Amber Theoharis and Anita Marks could possibly be involved in the production of the pre-game shows of both the Nationals and Orioles, ala “Baseball Tonight” on ESPN where they would interview, go over stats, score, and offer commentary, and the announcers for both teams would contribute to the coverage.
In my mind, it sounds like a great idea.
However, I not only have a big problem with not only this idea, but with MASN in general right now. There can be a pre-game show to incorporate both teams in the mindset of the Washington and Baltimore area fans, but I think both Washington and Baltimore are two different markets, and thus need to perhaps have separate identities when covered by MASN.
Before I go off and give my commentary, I know MASN is pretty much in its infancy and will probably expand and develop, but I am not happy with the baseball coverage right now of the network. Granted, we are in December and the Baltimore Ravens are in the playoffs, and we have the NBA and college basketball just heating up, it’s almost like both the Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles are just passing note.
I will give credit to the Anita Marks Show on MASN and ESPN 1300, as well as Playmakers and the Saturday fare on MASN with Peter Schmuck for keeping us up date the best they can with Orioles information, but in comparison to let’s say NESN, YES or Sports Net New York, affiliates of the Red Sox, Yankees and Mets, respectively; baseball coverage has been little to none this offseason.
I really think MASN should at least offer up a half-hour show covering the Baltimore Orioles and the Washington Nationals. NESN, YES and Sports Net New York offer at least a half-hour show, if not full fledged weekly special and mention on their broadcast chronicling each teams offseason moves, also highlights into their players seasons and perhaps even lives’ off the field. Even though the fans obviously don’t know the players and are not privy to the conversations in the locker room, in watching those networks, you feel as if you’re part of the scene and more importantly, the players and staff are accessible and have been humanized. More importantly, fans feel connected to the team and know what’s up to date.
In honesty, I tend to be forward thing and maybe this all has been thought of, but right now, maybe a show chronicling the Orioles and their lives on and off the field could do a little more to spark the interest of fans, even in these lean years.
For example, a snippet of the Orioles Holiday Party on a broadcast might have been great PR and content for MASN. I know coverage was on Channel 13 in Baltimore, but considering MASN is owned by the Orioles, would it have been prudent to show video coverage on the team’s affiliate network? Perhaps MASN can do a special about Cal’s road to the Hall of Fame? Or even specials with individual profiles of various Orioles over the years, such as Jim Palmer, Brooks Robinson, Earl Weaver, Boog Powell, etc?
The team owns the network. Let’s start celebrating and educating young fans on our illustrious history, and reminding us fans what the Orioles once were and how we can be what this team was in the past again?
How about a show chronicling the business of baseball, transactions, players, etc? It’s December, but they are enough baseball fans in the area to have at least a program or two that keep us entertained and informed.
The same needs to be done with the Washington Nationals too.
Simply put, even though baseball may be in the offseason, the sport is still relevant now with all the big deals and especially with fans on forums and blogs on the information superhighway, so it would be nice if MASN, with it’s potential could follow the same suit and keep up to date with information on baseball’s Hot Stove and the O’s?
