SPORTING NEWS' Bob Pockrass noted Fox Sports "didn’t break any agreements with NASCAR" in moving the rain-delayed Sprint Cup Series Food City 500 at Bristol to FS1 Sunday night. NASCAR said that once the race went past 7:00pm ET, Fox "had the option of moving the remainder of the event" to FS1. Fox elected to "use that option instead of keeping the telecast on network television and pre-empting its Sunday night lineup." Starting next season, "seven of the 16 races of Fox’s portion of the season" will be on FS1 (SPORTINGNEWS.com, 3/19).
CELEBRATING A CENTURY: MLB.com's Carrie Muskat notes the Cubs have "created WrigleyField100.com to honor 100 years of history at the ballpark and share the team's season-long plans to celebrate the milestone." The website includes the "unique, historic moments that have taken place at the ballpark over the last 100 years," including Cubs, Bears and collegiate football games, and summer concerts. Fans visiting the website are "invited to participate in polls to determine their 'All-Wrigley Team,' as well as other topics like their favorite broadcasters, concession items, traditions and Wrigley Field icons" (MLB.com, 3/20).
PAINT THE TOWN RED: In Cincinnati, John Kiesewetter noted FS Ohio on MLB Opening Day "plans more than 10 hours of programming -- most of it live -- including the Reds-Cardinals game" at 4:10pm ET. FSO broadcasters George Grande and Brian Giesenschlag will "anchor the coverage from the 'Reds Live' set inside Great American Ball Park" starting at 9:00am. FSO during the morning will debut "Cup of Coffee with George Grande." He taped "one-on-one interviews" with Reds RF Jay Bruce and P Mat Latos during Spring Training for the 30-minute show. Giesenschlag and Jeff Piecoro at 3:00pm will "host a special hour-long 'Reds Live' pregame show from the ball park, which will include some of the on-field ceremonies" (CINCINNATI.com, 3/19).
MADE FOR TV: In DC, Steven Goff noted MLS DC United and Comcast SportsNet Washington "announced a 14-game package, which will begin" with the May 3 match against the Timbers. CSN is "obligated to carry 16 matches." The other two "are likely to be late-season away games." As part of the contract, which is "in the second of three years, the sides have the option of adding additional games." That decision would "hinge on United’s success on the field during the summer" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 3/19).
