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Sports Commentators (non-football) (Part 2)
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The Difference
21-03-2014
Friday 21st March - BBC Two Wales and BBC Red Button

Scrum V Live: Ospreys v Cardiff Blues

Ross Harries presenting from the Liberty Stadium alongside Martyn Williams and Huw Bennett

Commentators: Gareth Charles, Jonathan Davies and Huw Bennett

Red Button commentators: Gareth Rhys Owen and Dafydd Jones (sylwebaeth yn Gymraeg)

Reporter: Phil Steele
OMc
21-03-2014
Aviva Premiership Rugby - Friday 21 March (BT Sport 1)

Worcester Warriors v London Wasps

Sarra Elgan presenting from Sixways alongside Lawrence Dallaglio, Austin Healey and Worcester flanker Jake Abbott.

Commentators: Alastair Eykyn, Lawrence Dallaglio & Austin Healey

Reporter: Martin Bayfield
The Difference
21-03-2014
With the 2014 Major League Baseball beginning tomorrow with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks' two-game series at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Australia (although Opening Night in North America is actually a week on Sunday), I thought I would run down the details of the major changes in the commentary boxes of the national US broadcasters that cover the sport.

The big question at the end of last season was who would be replacing Tim McCarver as Fox's lead colour commentator alongside Joe Buck, with McCarver having retired from national broadcasting after an 18-year run with Fox (although, as expected, McCarver has reached a deal to work as a guest co-commentator on about 30 St. Louis Cardinals games for their local television network Fox Sports Midwest this year).

Earlier this month, Fox officially announced that Harold Reynolds and Tom Verducci will be joining Buck on Fox's coverage of Saturday Games of the Week, the All-Star Game, a League Championship Series and the World Series.

Reynolds was an ESPN Baseball Tonight pundit for a ten-year period in the 1990s and 2000s before being dismissed in relation to a harassment lawsuit that was later settled, with him going onto return to punditry on TBS and then the MLB Network. Verducci is an interesting call as he is not a former Major League player but a journalist, working as a Baseball Insider for Sports Illustrated and the MLB Network. He has been a field reporter for TBS on their postseason coverage in previous years but has also done some co-commentaries for Fox's regional telecasts during the regular season and seems to be well received from what I've heard online.

While Fox have settled on Buck, Reynolds and Verducci as their top team their recruiting hasn't stopped there, with them bringing in Matt Vasgersian and John Smoltz as their secondary baseball commentary team, primarily to work on MLB games on their new Fox Sports 1 channel as well as regional opt-out Game of the Week telecasts. Vasgersian and Smoltz have both worked for the MLB Network in recent years (with Smoltz being a mainstay on TBS' baseball coverage since his playing retirement) and both will continue their work with the league's channel. Indeed they'll be the MLB Network's commentators on the Dodgers-Diamondbacks series this weekend.

The biggest bit of news regarding the regional sports network broadcasting of each team is that the Los Angeles Dodgers have established a new channel for 2014 onwards - SportsNet LA. Ahead of the new channel's launch, the Dodgers poached two major colour commentators from ESPN, Orel Hershiser and Nomar Garciaparra. Both will be involved in the channel's pre- and post-game shows as well away game commentaries, although the doyen of baseball broadcasters Vin Scully is still going strong as the Dodgers' solo announcer of all of their home games plus away games in California and Arizona, doubling up on the Dodgers radio network during the first three innings of these games, with Charley Steiner and Rick Monday taking over from the fourth inning. But for the games that Scully is absent from, it'll be Steiner and Hershiser for SportsNet LA with Monday and Garciaparra on the radio side.

In order to fill the gap left by Orel Hershiser on Sunday Night Baseball, ESPN announced late last year that Curt Schilling would be joining Dan Shulman and John Kruk in the three-man Sunday night booth in 2014. Subsequently, it's been announced that Schilling - who will continue as a Baseball Tonight studio analyst - has contracted cancer and so will be taking time out while he recovers. In the meantime, I believe SNB will use a two-man team of Shulman and Kruk. Monday Night Baseball's regular commentary trio remains as Dave O'Brien, Rick Sutcliffe and Aaron Boone, while it appears as if Wednesday Night Baseball will continue to rotate play-by-play and two co-commentators (one of which was often Garciaparra prior to his depature to the Dodgers) on a weekly basis.
shaun_d
22-03-2014
Originally Posted by The Difference:
“
While Fox have settled on Buck, Reynolds and Verducci as their top team their recruiting hasn't stopped there, with them bringing in Matt Vasgersian and John Smoltz as their secondary baseball commentary team, primarily to work on MLB games on their new Fox Sports 1 channel as well as regional opt-out Game of the Week telecasts. Vasgersian and Smoltz have both worked for the MLB Network in recent years (with Smoltz being a mainstay on TBS' baseball coverage since his playing retirement) and both will continue their work with the league's channel. Indeed they'll be the MLB Network's commentators on the Dodgers-Diamondbacks series this weekend”

Excellent round up The Difference.

Watching Dodgers v Diamondbacks on ESPN UK this morning, Matt Vasgersian and John Smoltz have been joined by Ian Chappell. He's making regular contributions from in the crowd, looking at things from an Australian/cricket perspective.
Li4m
22-03-2014
Originally Posted by shaun_d:
“Excellent round up The Difference.

Watching Dodgers v Diamondbacks on ESPN UK this morning, Matt Vasgersian and John Smoltz have been joined by Ian Chappell. He's making regular contributions from in the crowd, looking at things from an Australian/cricket perspective.”

It's understandable why ESPN chose the MLB Network feed, but it's always a shame when they opt not to use the Dodgers coverage when Vin Scully is behind the mic.
OMc
23-03-2014
Aviva Premiership Rugby - Sunday 23 March (BT Sport 1)

Leicester Tigers v Exeter Chiefs

Craig Doyle presenting from the studio alongside Lawrence Dallaglio and Harlequins number 8 Nick Easter, rounding up the highlights before the live game.

Commentators: Nick Mullins, Ben Kay & Paul Grayson

Reporter: Martin Bayfield
Ian Cleverly
23-03-2014
Wales U18 v England U18 (RU friendly from Neath RFC)

(S4C) Russell Isaac hosted from the stands at the Gnoll, with Gethin Lewis. Commentary came from Alun Jenkins and Iwan Cunningham.

I didn't catch much of the Newport-Gwent Dragons v Connacht match, but Dafydd Jones and Deiniol Jones were doing the red button Welsh language commentary.
The Difference
24-03-2014
Sunday 23rd March - BBC Two Wales and BBC Red Button

Scrum V Live: Newport Gwent Dragons v Connacht

Ross Harries presented from Rodney Parade alongside Ian Gough and Gareth Thomas

Commentators: Gareth Charles and Stuart Davies

Red Button commentators: Dafydd Jones and Deiniol Jones (sylwebaeth yn Gymraeg)

Reporter: Phil Steele

I didn't catch any of the live coverage of this match, so diolch to Ian C for grabbing the Welsh commentary details.
The Difference
24-03-2014
Sunday 23rd March - BBC Two Wales

Scrum V Sunday

Ross Harries presented alongside Gwyn Jones and Robert Jones

RaboDirect Pro12
Ospreys v Cardiff Blues - Gareth Charles, Jonathan Davies and Martyn Williams
Glasgow Warriors v Scarlets - Gareth Charles and Kingsley Jones (as S4C's Red Button)
Newport Gwent Dragons v Connacht - Gareth Charles and Stuart Davies

SWALEC Cup Quarter-Final
Ebbw Vale v Llandovery - Phil Steele

Interview with Jake Ball - Lowri Morgan
Interview with WRU Head of Rugby Josh Lewsey - Ross Harries
The Difference
28-03-2014
Friday 28th March - BBC Two Wales and BBC Red Button

Scrum V Live: Glasgow Warriors v Ospreys

Ross Harries presenting from the studio alongside Martyn Williams and Sean Holley

Commentators: Gareth Charles and Stuart Davies

Reporter: Phil Steele

I'm not sure whose on Welsh language commentary duty on the Red Button I'm afraid.
OMc
28-03-2014
Aviva Premiership Rugby - Friday 28 March (BT Sport 1)

Bath v Sale Sharks

Martin Bayfield presenting from The Rec alongside Ben Kay, Austin Healey and Worcester fullback Chris Pennell.

Commentators: Alastair Eykyn, Ben Kay & Austin Healey

Reporter: Sarra Elgan
Alex2606
29-03-2014
Originally Posted by OMc:
“Aviva Premiership Rugby - Friday 28 March (BT Sport 1)

Bath v Sale Sharks

Martin Bayfield presenting from The Rec alongside Ben Kay, Austin Healey and Worcester fullback Chris Pennell.

Commentators: Alastair Eykyn, Ben Kay & Austin Healey

Reporter: Sarra Elgan”

I assume it must have been a part of the contract when BT signed it that there will always be heavy rain at the Friday night game
The Difference
30-03-2014
Sunday 30th March - BBC Two Wales and BBC Red Button

Scrum V Live: Scarlets v Connacht

Ross Harries presenting from Parc y Sgarlets alongside Dafydd James and Robert Jones

Commentators: Gareth Charles and Tom Shanklin

Red Button commentators: Cennydd Davies and Deiniol Jones (sylwebaeth yn Gymraeg)

Reporter: Phil Steele
Ian Cleverly
30-03-2014
Originally Posted by The Difference:
“Friday 28th March - BBC Two Wales and BBC Red Button

Scrum V Live: Glasgow Warriors v Ospreys

I'm not sure whose on Welsh language commentary duty on the Red Button I'm afraid.”

That would've been Alun Jenkins and Garan Evans.
The Difference
31-03-2014
Originally Posted by Ian Cleverly:
“That would've been Alun Jenkins and Garan Evans.”

Diolch!
loyalsince
31-03-2014
Bill Arthur and Eddie Hemmings discussing their cancer diagnosis, and why they are supporting Men United campaign to raise awareness of prostate cancer

http://www1.skysports.com/watch/vide...501/men-united
The Difference
31-03-2014
Sunday 30th March - BBC Two Wales

Scrum V Sunday

Ross Harries presented alongside Martyn Williams and Kingsley Jones

RaboDirect Pro12
Cardiff Blues v Ulster - Cennydd Davies and Gareth Llewellyn (as S4C's Red Button)
Glasgow Warriors v Ospreys - Gareth Charles and Stuart Davies
Zebre v Newport Gwent Dragons - Phil Steele
Scarlets v Connacht - Gareth Charles and Tom Shanklin

Principality Premiership
Round-up - Lowri Morgan

Feature on Matthew Rees' return to rugby after recovering from cancer - Jennifer Jones
Feature on David Moffett's campaign to become independent chairman of the WRU - Ross Harries
The Difference
03-04-2014
Spring Training Baseball, ESPN

Monday 17th March - St. Louis Cardinals @ Boston Red Sox (1pm ET) - Karl Ravech and Barry Larkin, with Tim Kurkjian reporting
Tuesday 18th March - Boston Red Sox @ New York Yankees (1pm ET) - Dan Shulman and John Kruk, with Buster Olney reporting
Thursday 20th March - New York Yankees @ Boston Red Sox (7pm ET) - Dan Shulman and John Kruk, with Buster Olney reporting
Monday 24th March - Detroit Tigers P-P Pittsburgh Pirates (1pm ET) - Adnan Virk and Doug Glanville, with Tim Kurkjian reporting
Tuesday 25th March - Atlanta Braves @ Detroit Tigers (1pm ET) - Jon Sciambi and Eric Wedge, with Tim Kurkjian reporting*
Wednesday 26th March - Washington Nationals @ St. Louis Cardinals (1pm ET) - Steve Levy, Eduardo Perez and Doug Glanville
Thursday 27th March - Washington Nationals @ New York Mets (12pm ET) - Steve Levy, Eduardo Perez and Doug Glanville

*Adnan Virk and Doug Glanville were originally scheduled to commentate on the Braves @ Tigers Spring Training match on March 25th. I'm not sure if Jon Sciambi and Eric Wedge would have also called the Pirates @ Tigers match the day before had it not been postponed.

Also, to clarify details Shaun_D wrote in post #2904, the former Australia international cricketer Ian Chappell worked as the fieldside reporter on both games of the MLB Network's coverage of the Los Angeles Dodgers @ Arizona Diamondbacks two-game series at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd March. Matt Vasgersian and John Smoltz commentated on both games.
The Difference
03-04-2014
Sunday 30th March - ESPN

Opening Night Baseball on ESPN

Karl Ravech presented Baseball Tonight from Petco Park, San Diego alongside Barry Larkin and John Kruk

Los Angeles Dodgers @ San Diego Padres (8pm ET) - Dan Shulman and John Kruk, with Buster Olney reporting


Monday 31st March - ESPN & ESPN2

Opening Day Baseball on ESPN

Karl Ravech presented Baseball Tonight from Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati alongside Barry Larkin and John Kruk

Chicago Cubs @ Pittsburgh Pirates (1pm ET, ESPN) - Sean McDonough and Aaron Boone, with Tim Kurkjian reporting
Boston Red Sox @ Baltimore Orioles (3pm, ESPN2) - Dave O'Brien, Rick Sutcliffe and Eric Wedge, with Pedro Gomez reporting
St. Louis Cardinals @ Cincinnati Reds (4pm, ESPN) - Dan Shulman and John Kruk, with Buster Olney reporting
Colorado Rockies @ Miami Marlins (7pm, ESPN2) - Steve Levy and Eduardo Perez, with Jaymee Sire reporting
Seattle Mariners @ Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (10pm, ESPN2) - Jon Sciambi and Doug Glanville, with Jessica Mendoza reporting


Wednesday 4th April - ESPN2

Wednesday Night Baseball on ESPN

Philadelphia Phillies @ Texas Rangers (8pm ET) - Jon Sciambi and Rick Sutcliffe, with Doug Glanville providing fieldside analysis

Six of ESPN's national telecasts from Opening Week of the 2014 Major League Baseball season have been broadcast on ESPN UK, the exception being the Orioles @ Red Sox game on Monday which clashed with the Cubs @ Pirates and Cardinals @ Reds matches. It was shown on a delayed basis the following day though.

Of those six games, the Opening Night, Cubs @ Pirates and Wednesday Night Baseball games were streamed live to subscribers watching through the BT Sport website and app, however for some reason the three later Opening Day games were not (although the delayed showings of them were streamed). This is unusual as BT Sport appear to have streaming rights to ESPN games, they broadcast all of their Spring Training games that were shown live on their channels via the website and app and consistently broadcast Sunday, Monday and Wednesday Night Baseball telecasts through these means last year too.
Darren Lethem
04-04-2014
Channel 4 Racing coverage this week

Hosted by Claire Balding and Nick Luck

Pundits - Graham Cunningham and Jim McGrath

Interviewers - Alice Plunkett, Rishi Persad and Mick Fitzgerald

Commentators - Simon Holt, Richard Hoiles and Ian Bartlett

Betting - Tanya Stevenson and Brian Gleeson
casinoman13
04-04-2014
Originally Posted by Darren Lethem:
“Channel 4 Racing coverage this week

Hosted by Claire Balding and Nick Luck

Pundits - Graham Cunningham and Jim McGrath

Interviewers - Alice Plunkett, Rishi Persad and Mick Fitzgerald

Commentators - Simon Holt, Richard Hoiles and Ian Bartlett

Betting - Tanya Stevenson and Brian Gleeson”

Was Ian Bartlett part of the team last year?
Darren Lethem
04-04-2014
Originally Posted by casinoman13:
“Was Ian Bartlett part of the team last year?”

Yes, he is the 3rd commentator on the 3 races over the National fences
The Difference
04-04-2014
Thursday 3rd April - S4C

Y Clwb Rygbi: Newport Gwent Dragons v Edinburgh

Gareth Roberts presented from Rodney Parade alongside Rhys Patchell and Nicky Robinson

Commentators: Huw Llywelyn Davies and Gwyn Jones

Reporter: Wyn Gruffydd

Originally Posted by The Difference:
“Wednesday 4th April - ESPN2”

That should read Wednesday 2nd April, of course!
casinoman13
04-04-2014
Originally Posted by Darren Lethem:
“Yes, he is the 3rd commentator on the 3 races over the National fences”

Thanks Darren, for some reason I was thinking Mark Johnson or was he racing UK?
Darren Lethem
04-04-2014
Originally Posted by casinoman13:
“Thanks Darren, for some reason I was thinking Mark Johnson or was he racing UK?”

Yeah I think RUK take the course commentary which is usually Mark Johnson and AN Other, not sure who to be honest, possibly Stuart Machin
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