Dave: So, what exactly is this thing you guys are doing on Saturday night, and how can people watch it and the game at the same time?
Rob: Thats exactly what they can do! At every moment, anyone watching FS1 will see the same game they would see on Fox. Often itll be a split-screen, with the game in one screen and our panel in the other. At key moments, well switch the game action to full-screen and youll hear us doing our thing. And occasionally during a break in the action, you might see just us.
Dave: This is like color commentary on steroids, then? Wait, maybe that isnt the best metaphor. But I gather this broadcast will focus more on the commentary side of things and less on the play by play of a traditional broadcast booth?
Rob: Very little play-by-play, unless were in the middle of a discussion, or theres a lull, and Kevin Burkhardt pulls us back into the game for a little context.
Dave: What are some fun things that you expect to be able to do on Saturday night that fans arent used to getting in a traditional broadcast? Are you going to actually going to say the words linear weights on television?
Rob: Ill be shocked if linear weights doesnt come up at some point, at least in passing. Essentially, well be talking about all the things that we and by we, I mean you and I talk about when we get together: defense and the vagaries of measuring it, pitch-framing, game theory, wOBA
You know, all the good stuff. But it wont be just the sabermetrics. Weve got a big studio, a bunch of cameras, and two tremendously smart and experienced ex-players in Gabe Kapler and C.J. Nitkowski, who can walk away from the desk anytime they like and give us all lessons in how the games really played. Oh, and weve also got Bud Black! You wanna know what its like to manage against Bruce Bochy? Ill bet Bud Black will tell us.
Dave: How much is the balance going to lean towards appealing to people who read FanGraphs versus retaining mainstream appeal for casual fans who might just be flipping through the channels? If my wife watched the broadcast with me, would she enjoy the simulcast, or is this something we should watch alone in our mothers basements?
Rob: Honestly, I think any baseball fan whos not utterly hostile toward sabermetrics will enjoy this broadcast. Well be explaining everything we talk about, but I think briefly enough that neither you nor Amy will be bored. Also, theres this: Gabe and C.J. are both wildly engaging. Just great people to be around, and I think if youre watching youll feel like youre just in the middle of a great conversation about baseball, not to mention the occasional moments when those guys step away from our desk and demonstrate pitch-framing or reading a left-handed pitcher or whatever. Weve done a few hours of rehearsals, and my only regret is that I cant just hang out at home and watch these guys do their thing. Because theyre really, really good at it. Plus Kevin Burkhardt is one of the best studio hosts Ive ever seen.
