Yup, and at this point i would direct people here to discuss. This guy seems to have some decent experience, but from what I see, none of it includes doing pbp for a game before. He has been a journalist and studio host only. Does this worry anyone else? See later post, the guy has done a lot of play-by-play apparently
Given that he seems to be experienced in the ways of soccer, not at all. Has to be huge improvement over the other host of characters that didn't know a handball from a header (Marc Stout excepted).
Also, I find it funny that the Rapids have to spend their own money to get a (hopefully) decent pbp guy. Whether he is a success or not, I have to give props to Tim Hinchey for recognizing that there was an issue here and using some of the Rapids money to essentially subsidize Altitude getting a pbp person for the Rapids. It's all KSE money in the end, but funny that Hinchey manages to get KSE to increase the Rapids budget and then uses part of that to attempt to improve another of KSE's entities. It is wise though because it can directly affect the Rapids.
Apparently the guy has done a lot of play-by-play. It just isn't in his little promo video that is floating around. http://www.coloradorapids.com/news/2013/03/q-new-broadcast-play-play-announcer-fleming
So will a red card still be a send off?* *Obviously pinging people's memories of broadcasts of Rapids matches.
I'm not exactly sure if I've heard Fleming's PBP before -- maybe I have, who knows. I've heard a lot of English blokes over the years and the voices all run together! However, reading the interview he's certainly well qualified. Fleming may not be an expert on MLS but he's no dummy on the league either . As he said, Celo can help him out and likewise Fleming helps Celo improve. I like the commitment the Rapids have made to impoving broadcasts. Having a revolving door of PBP guys was exhausting and frustrating and always felt like a half ass job. I don't necessarily need a standout broadcaster to keep me interested in a game but I do need one who is knowledgable about the game and doesn't fill me with stats read off a sheet to compensate for their lack of knowledge.
Good question. I would hope so. In-studio broadcasts have never really felt authentic to me. It may be due to whoever was used along side Balboa because Ray Hudson and Phil Schoen can certainly make it feel like they are at the stadium. I understand the cost factor leading to in-studio broadcasts but I would hope the commitment shown to bring Fleming and his family over is a sign that times are a changing.
not surprising, but it also could have been scheduling conflicts. It probably is a pipe dream though. It also would require more than just him to travel. There would have to be probably at least one technician or something. I'm assuming the Rapids don't use charters yet. If they did it would be easier to cover that cost. Hopefully he will bring a higher standard to the broadcast. I rewatched the Dallas game last night and even though Marc Stout was better than Romero, you could tell he still wasn't fully up on things. Being in a studio calling the game I think also throws guys like him off because there were moments where he turned it into "We're just a couple of guys watching a game together" mode and would ask Celo questions that would make more sense in an interview and completely disregard the game for a bit.
I like this move. He seems like he has good experience with Arsenal TV and BBC. I like the other British announcers in MLS. They bring a touch of class to the broadcasts. I'm not saying they are all good, the Concacaf announcer is atrocious and he is British. No offense to Stout and Balboa, but I think the Altitude broadcasts are the worst in the league, so anything would be worth trying. The rotating PBP guys let Balboa ramble for too long because they don't have a solid soccer background. Hopefully with Fleming's experience he can keep Balboa sharp and focused.
Yes, I expect he will be travelling by flying pig. ;>) (They would have to get a whole Altitude crew there to do that -- probably not in the cards).
