Oct
7
2009
"With the crack of the bat, the dramatic 4 1/2-hour, 12 inning affair came to an end when Alexi Casilla singled to right field giving the “Never-give-up” Twins a 6-5 victory and a date against the “Mighty” Bronx-Bombers of New York.”
-TBS announcer Chip Carray
And just like that, the story begins. And what a story it is. Sports are indeed like a book or television show. They have all the characteristics of each: intricate storylines, different characters, problems arising, narration, etc.
Before games even start, we are usually treated to a roundtable discussion setting up the storylines of the match up. The commentators remind us of players, injuries, and past history. It is done in a similar manner as television programs show us the “Previously on …” sequence before an episode starts. It is an effective way to introduce the story to new fans, reintroduce it to old fans or remind current fans on the latest and most breaking storyline.
We then move on to the game itself. The commentators have already built this story up: The “Never-give-up” Twins against the “Mighty” Yankees. In essence, it is David versus Goliath. As we watch the game unfold, each inning provides us a new chapter or act of the story. Different things can happen in a game and new story-lines will present themselves as each inning goes by. Pitching problems, rallies, outbursts of scoring, injuries, all factor into the stories progression. All the while, we are aided by the announcers acting as narrators. They provide us information about what is going on in the game and try to help us make sense of what exactly is going on.
In the end, there are different ways the story can play out. Goliath can crush David. Or, the Twins won’t give up and find a way to slay the Yankees. Kick back, relax, and watch this epic story unfold.
Tim Tebow
As I believe I have mentioned, I'm a recent graduate of the University of Florida, and as such, I'm a fan of the Gators. One storyline that's hard to avoid around the Gators is the treatment of Tim Tebow in Messiah-like terms -- and it does get pretty ridiculous, especially around Gainesville.
If you follow college football, you'll likely know that Tebow played pretty well (though conservatively) in beating LSU after/while recovering from a concussion. So it's not a stretch to imagine some of the "risen from the dead" story lines that are likely cropping up.
Anyway, you're absolutely right that sports broadcast is an example of storytelling, and if you think of the commentators as narrators, it's pretty impressive how they can narrate a story that's playing out in real time in front of them.
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