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Red Sox Experiment With PA Announcer Calling Balls And Strikes During Spring Training

The Red Sox had PA announcer Ted Fitzgeorge "recite the count after every pitch" during yesterday's Spring Training game against the Marlins, according to Abraham & Gasper of the BOSTON GLOBE. Red Sox Senior Advisor Dr. Charles Steinberg said, "There were desires for us to try it last year and we didn't, so I think we're not shy about being experimental or bold or innovative." He added that announcing the count was "a one-game trial without a clear second step." While it "didn't sound like the aural addition was coming to Fenway Park," Steinberg "didn’t rule it out." He said, "If it would be effective in a positive way, then yes." Abraham & Gasper note the count was "announced in a softer tone than the usual introductions." Red Sox manager John Farrell: "Certainly different in the atmosphere of the ballpark. You don’t hear that. Other than that, I really don’t have any comment" (BOSTON GLOBE, 3/12). Red Sox P John Lackey said of the experiment, "That's a bad idea -- whoever did that hasn't been between the lines. For me it's not that big of a deal because I'm not that worried about throwing strikes. But I could foresee a situation (with) someone that's struggling to throw strikes, that's pretty much beating the guy over the head. He realized it was a ball. He doesn't want to hear it again" (BOSTON HERALD, 3/12). But Steinberg said, "Everything about a baseball game seems to focus on the count -- the difference between 2-0 and 1-2 -- and in a way that imposed gently, this brings people closer to the game" (PROVIDENCEJOURNAL.com, 3/11).

TWITTER REAX: The response to the Red Sox' experiment was largely negative. ESPN's Buster Olney tweeted, "My unscientific research of Tweep responses is: 100% against Red Sox idea of PA'd ball-strike count; 0% for. Didn't see one Ay." PA announcer Ryan Wagner ‏wrote, "I'm the PA announcer at Camden Yards for the O's, and while I love any reason to open the mic, this is a distraction. Bad idea." Journalist Jeff Greenfield: "Right up there with New Coke, a re-make of 'Casablanca', and cell phones on airplanes. Has ANY fan anywhere asked for this?"

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