Obama Reportedly To Appear On Fox' All-Star Game Coverage

Obama Scheduled To Throw Out First Pitch At Tomorrow's All-Star Game

President Obama will join Fox play-by-play announcer Joe Buck and analyst Tim McCarver during the net's coverage of tomorrow's MLB All-Star Game, according to sources cited by Richard Deitsch of SI.com. The White House had been "considering Fox Sports' request to interview the President during the game," and Obama is "expected to be in the booth sometime between the third and fifth inning." Obama also is scheduled to throw out the first pitch at tomorrow's game. Deitsch noted ESPN, which will cover the Home Run Derby tonight, has "also put in a request to interview Obama." ESPN Manager of Communications Nate Smeltz: "We're waiting to hear back on his availability" (SI.com, 7/12). Fox Sports President Ed Goren said he is "confident" that Obama will be "in the booth sometime during the game." Goren: "That would be wonderful." USA TODAY's Michael Hiestand notes Fox is "likely to get the president during the second or third inning," and is "pretty much open to anything else the First Fan is willing to do on-air." Prior to the game, Busch Stadium and Fox's TV compound will be "cleared so it can be swept by security" (USA TODAY, 7/13). Goren said that Obama's presence "could cause some logistical maneuvering for the network but that viewers shouldn't notice." Goren: "There may be some limitations as to camera movement. It certainly involves a lot more communication. But it's not a big deal. It will be seamless to the viewer certainly." In St. Louis, Dan Caesar noted Fox "plans no cutbacks" from its telecast of last year's All-Star Game (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 7/10).