TUNING IN…

With Ardith Stephanson

Line driv(ing)

Baseball is an ideal sport for radio.

On a recent road trip, bored with listening to FM radio music, I tuned in to CFSL 1190 AM Weyburn, which has carried Toronto Blue Jays games for what seems like forever. It was a great way to pass the time while driving.

Sportsnet radio carries all 162 Blue Jays games, featuring Jerry Howarth and Mike Wilner. In Saskatchewan, we can catch them on CFSL, as well as CJSL 1280 AM Estevan, CJYM 1330 AM Rosetown, and CFYM 1210 AM Kindersley.

I think baseball is so easy to listen to because of the pace. It’s easy to visualize, is a slower pace than a sport like hockey, and is relaxing. Whether or not you’re a Blue Jays fan, it is nice to have an option (without paying for satellite radio) when you’re on a road trip.

I need a Kleenex

What an emotional week for the city of Boston and its residents.

Last week was the memorial of the Boston Marathon tragedy of a year ago. Monday was the running of the 2014 edition of the race. And prior to Sunday night’s Red Sox baseball game was a touching 30-minute pregame show in honour of the anniversary of the tragedy.

It was powerful to watch survivors, families of survivors, rescue workers, police officers and of course the baseball players from the Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles gather on the field.

Sports have a way of bringing us together. When a tragedy strikes, it can help to heal the wounds caused by the tragedy, and the Boston Strong movement that culminated in the Red Sox World Series victory is an example of that.

Again, whether or not you cheer for the Red Sox, it was touching to watch how the city rallied around the team, and how the team helped the city on the road to healing.

From rocks to mics

Other than the final games together for many of the teams at the Grand Slam of Curling Players’ Championship this past weekend, the biggest news was the announcement by Kevin Martin that he is retiring and moving to the other side of the camera.  In the final Grand Slam of Curling event of the season, Martin went out a winner after the announcement that he was putting away his broom in exchange for a microphone.

Martin will be joining SportsNet next year as both a broadcast analyst and official spokesperson for the Grand Slam of Curling series.  The Slam will also expand to five events with a new event, the Elite 10, joining the Masters, National, Canadian Open and Players’ Championships. Total prize money will be increasing to a total minimum of $700,000, with the $1 million bonus still available to the men’s team who can win all five Slams in a season.

Sportsnet’s curling broadcast coverage will increase to up to 200 hours for next season, with the Grand Slam events as well as the Alberta, B.C., Manitoba and Ontario Provincial Curling Championships.

According to Sportsnet, in addition to serving as a broadcast insider and analyst, Martin will help to shape the future of the Grand Slam of Curling, working with the players, communities and sponsors.

They need a replacement for Richard Hart, who is going in the opposite direction of Martin – exchanging his microphone for his broom as he comes out of retirement to curl with Glenn Howard next season. Not a bad finish for Martin – he shot 98% in the Championship final.

Sportsnet has owned and operated the Grand Slam of Curling since 2012 and it has been interesting to watch the rise in popularity of the World Curling Tour events. Hours of coverage continue to increase, and ratings for events like the Brier are also doing well, while in-person attendance at events like the Brier continues to suffer.

Are we all getting used to watching curling from the comfort of our couches and now prefer that to watching in person?

Around the Dial 

In the last week, I’ve gotten a chuckle at all the Habs and Pens fans who have told me in the most sincere manner how much they are cheering for the Red Wings. Being naturally suspicious, I wonder if it is because they hate the Bruins? … I wondered why the women’s Players’ Championship Grand Slam event was televised Sunday in prime time after the men’s. Duh. Then I realized it was a repeat from the morning. Interesting that Sportsnet would replay it, unless they figured it would draw viewers in that prime-time slot…The Grand Slam finals seemed like replays as Martin and Jennifer Jones won. Again.

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