MLB Network Umpire Content Suggestions

[Stan W.]

In order to not continue to hijack the "Going 7 thread" I thought this would be a good stand alone thread....

 

After the original "third team" broadcast, I emailed the MLB network to thank them for such a good program and to encourage them to produce more umpire related content....surely between tomorrow (Oct 30, 2014) until early February 2015, there should be ample off season broadcast time and umpire interest for such a program........I mean how many times can you show "Prime 9" and "Hot Stove" ?????????

 

Here are a few quickly thrown together suggestions from my viewpoint

 

• Yearly Third Team
• Umpire School- following candidates
• Minor league Umpires- following a crew through a season
• Umpire Profiles
• Ump-care Charities
• Prime 9's
  • Hall of Fame umpires
  • Bloopers
  • collisions
  • arguments
  • ejections
• History of MLB Umpiring- (Ken Burns style)
• "Tools of the Trade"- gear choices

 

Feel free to add your thoughts........

 

The only negative I'd throw in here is that up to and until the MLB Networks "Third Team"  broadcast, In my memory,  MLB has never really made any efforts to humanize the umpire crews or show them in any significantly positive light.......

Edited October 29, 2014 by Stan W.
additional comments

[conbo61]

There was a top 10 or 15 special a few years ago about arguments/ejections.

 

VERY entertaining.

[hill2933]

They may be able to open up to a whole new audience if they go the "reality" show direction. Maybe So You Think You Can Ump or Umpiring With the Stars. May even get my wife to watch then.

[Rulekeep]

A half hour show where each umpire is interviewed about their career sort of like a video bio would be cool.

And I'd watch the hell out of episodes 1, 11, 43, 53, and 79.

[MadMax]

Inspired by "The Voice", a talent/skills show named, appropriately, "The Call". The judges/coaches are Crew Chiefs... and you can see where this is going.

[zm1283]

I think some of us overestimate the demand for umpire-related content from regular fans that aren't also umpires. 

 

An MLB Network show about gear choices?

 

One show about minor league umpires might be cool. An entire season would get old quickly. 

[Stan W.]

I think some of us overestimate the demand for umpire-related content from regular fans that aren't also umpires. 

 

An MLB Network show about gear choices?

 

One show about minor league umpires might be cool. An entire season would get old quickly. 

 

 

I think you are right, but the concept is a couple of programs in the off-season and I don't think any of us is expecting a MLB-UMP channel......... I'd probably settle for a yearly "third team".....

 

I think the "Umpire school" and "Life in the minors" might have some documentary style legs..... (vs series style)

 

The gear choice idea came from a short feature I saw years ago on game gloves........they covered brands, models, selection, rituals, and superstitions..........very cool...Nomar Garciaparra almost was in a fight with a guy who put his hand in his gamer......and at the end of the feature, he admitted the glove he showed as his gamer was really last years game glove.......he didn't want to show his real glove.... 

[Stan W.]

As to cost.....these "Prime 9" suggestions

 

Prime 9's

• Hall of Fame umpires
• Bloopers
• collisions
• arguments
• ejections

Cost them very little......they already have all the content in manner of video highlights........all they need is to compile the clips....

 

maybe @Rulekeep could give them some pointers....... 

[grayhawk]

I emailed them prior to the WS to find out if they were planning another edition of "The Third Team."  I only ever received the automated response.

[Rulekeep]

As to cost.....these "Prime 9" suggestions

Prime 9's

• Hall of Fame umpires
• Bloopers
• collisions
• arguments
• ejections

Cost them very little......they already have all the content in manner of video highlights........all they need is to compile the clips....

maybe @Rulekeep could give them some pointers.......

They get paid to do that stuff all day long and I'm not a professional. (Yet.)