How Stats Get to Your TV: Now That's the Bottom Line

(Photo by: Getty Images)

Most of us diehard sports fans multitask while watching a sporting event by glancing at or studying (depending on our interest) the bottom line or the ticker. I never gave any thought to how all that information got to the bottom of my screen—most likely some computer generated statistics. Wrong.

I had the opportunity to see first hand how this all works and I think that you might be surprised.

We arrived at Comerica Park about two hours before game time, and got our press passes we then got our press packs and went to the press box to look over the notes for the game that had the Tigers hosting the Anaheim Angels. I went to the cafeteria for some food, and while eating, I heard a familiar voice at the next table.

Ernie Harwell was sitting with friends telling stories. I immediately lost focus on why I was there—his voice is that mesmerizing. Back in the press box we waited for the official line up announcement so we could fill out our scorecards that would be faxed to ESPN after the game.

It was almost game time. There was a quick check of the weather channel for temperature and wind direction (yes, that information is necessary) and a phone call to Bristol Connecticut; this phone call would last the duration of the game.

From here, things would get complicated; keeping an official scorecard is basically giving a play-by-play over the telephone, and we also had to chart all the pitches, ball outside, strikes ect.  I was told that if I missed a pitch, don't bother asking someone because they are not eager to help out.  If you had to use the restroom between innings, it was an all out sprint in order to not to miss a pitch.

When the game was over, the three hour phone call was finished, and all the information was sent to ESPN, I could finally relax. I have been to hundreds of ball games over the years, and I left there that night barely knowing that the Angels won the game 6-5; I was so wrapped up in everything else that I had to do.

The next time that you are watching a game and take a look at the bottom line to check a score, I hope that you will think about what it takes at each and every stadium every night for that little bit of information to come across our screens.

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