Sounds Of The Game

by Al Yellon on Apr 1, 2008 1:54 PM CDT in Chicago Cubs News

Before you listen, remember that this is an experiment. We're testing out Mobile Posting -- taking some snippet of audio from a live event and creating a post. It's supposed to include a map showing where Wrigley Field is, but I don't see it there -- must be something funky in the javascript code I had to download (and yes, I know virtually all of you know exactly where Wrigley Field is, but maybe some of our new Japanese readers don't, so maybe this will help them out. If they can find it).

It still requires being at a computer to get the code for the post, so it's not immediate. But this is the first step; next may be photos, or video, or the ability to post directly.

In any case, here is yesterday's starting lineup as I recorded it at the ballpark. Remember, this is an experiment, and due to the weather, the audio quality isn't as good as I would have liked.

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Testing 1,2,3

A good idea, but the lineup was pretty unlistenable. You sounded good, tho.

by santo4hof on Apr 1, 2008 2:05 PM CDT reply actions

Like I said, this is an experiment.

n/t

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Apr 1, 2008 2:11 PM CDT up reply actions

Good Idea

agree with santo4hof.....maybe if you got some comments from fans, vendors, your own observations on how the game is going etc....

"I lost it in the sun"

by Bump Bailey on Apr 1, 2008 2:11 PM CDT reply actions

Good ideas for next time.

n/t

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Apr 1, 2008 2:11 PM CDT up reply actions

Well, it was hard to hear

. . . but still very cool to listen to! Thanks!

by bjs on Apr 1, 2008 2:21 PM CDT reply actions

it's a neat idea

there is definitely potential here.

---formerly known on BCB, WCG, and BAB simply as mike.
AC 00 00 00 - Believe

by mjk83 on Apr 1, 2008 2:25 PM CDT reply actions

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions.

If you have any others, let me know, and I'll try to do another one... when the weather is warmer!

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Apr 1, 2008 2:32 PM CDT reply actions

If this is "easy to do" cell phone stuff,

you might share with us how to do it. Perhaps people going to Cub games at different parks could send in audio or video clips, picture messages, etc.

"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007

by DeRoMyHero on Apr 1, 2008 2:36 PM CDT reply actions

You'd have to email me the clips.

Then I could put them together and post them.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Apr 1, 2008 2:43 PM CDT up reply actions

Great Ideal.

I agree with the suggestions above.

Maybe you can get the views and opinions of those around you, and your own of course, to give a better "live" experience to those you can't be at, or may have never been to the game.

Just another example of why BCB is the best!

by Tangled Up In Blue on Apr 1, 2008 2:40 PM CDT reply actions

Interesting first step

what kind of recording device are you using? A mobile phone? The recording quality of that device (obviously) will have the biggest impact...

It would be cool to get a recording when the crowd "chants" such as the "fuku-do-me" thing yesterday during his final at bat.

Or perhaps record the crowd during the 7th inning stretch would be a good future experiment.

by Neifi Puppy on Apr 1, 2008 2:43 PM CDT reply actions

All I had was my phone.

I could probably get a better device. As I said, the rain made it hard to do.

These are all great ideas!

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Apr 1, 2008 2:44 PM CDT up reply actions

Cool idea

I look forward to more! Do you have an ipod? I know you can buy a recording attachment for one. Maybe other mp3 players have the same function?

Here's one site that talks about them for an ipod.

http://www.oreilly.com/pub/a/mac/2004/06/22/ipod_recorder.html

p.s. Al, I'll be in the bleachers on Thursday. I can't remember where you sit. I thought I'd stop by and say hello.

"Cubs Win!!"

by northofwrigley on Apr 1, 2008 2:52 PM CDT up reply actions

I have a video ipod.

Do they have recorders? I can't remember.

Stop by the LF corner, top row, section 301 (closest to the foul pole).

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Apr 1, 2008 4:34 PM CDT up reply actions

Thanks

here is one that works for the video ipod. Looks like it got good reviews.

http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-F8Z082-BLK-TuneTalk-Stereo-Videos/dp/B000F9LRYO/ref=tag_tdp_sv_edpp_t

"Cubs Win!!"

by northofwrigley on Apr 1, 2008 5:08 PM CDT up reply actions

Just want to take the opportunity to plug my favorite:

The Micro Memo by XtremeMac. I love this thing. We use this at my radio station for pregame interviews with coaches and players that we play back during the pregame show, and also to record audio of football players at practice to put together features. It's stood up very well to a high workload, and the best part is: the folks at XtremeMac were EXTREMELY helpful when one of mine somehow stopped working. They sent me a replacement completely free of charge, almost no questions asked. Zero problems since. The microphone is adjustable and also removable for better storage and comes with a small wind screen fuzz piece that fits over it. (The screen tends to shimmy off in my bag, though, so make sure it's snugly secured.) Plus, it comes with a built-in speaker that works with or without the mic so you can play back your recordings - or songs - direct from the device.

Only con: Sucks battery life like a hog. But we keep our iPod charged up so it's rarely a problem. Records in standard WAV format, which we then convert to mp3 for a more manageable file size. The quality ranges from "good" to "excellent" depending on environment.

Here's a link (new window)

also a note: no idea where the $129 comes from. I paid $50 for mine.

Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager

by northsider on Apr 2, 2008 2:17 AM CDT up reply actions

Addendum

Here's a review from iLounge (score: A-)

I've seen it for sale online for less than $50 and certainly a lot less than $129. That Amazon price is just ridiculous.

Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager

by northsider on Apr 2, 2008 2:25 AM CDT up reply actions

Actual Addendum

Sorry, the site didn't take the rest of my comment. Here it is:

Here's a review from iLounge (score: A-)

I've seen it for sale online for less than $50 and certainly a lot less than $129. That Amazon price is just ridiculous.

Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager

by northsider on Apr 2, 2008 2:26 AM CDT up reply actions

this is a cool new feature

Although it hearing the sounds of the games makes not being there all that much harder!

by sdurst on Apr 1, 2008 3:00 PM CDT reply actions

Kudos

for pushing the tech envelope!

Stats spelled backwards is statS!

by digitalbenjamin on Apr 1, 2008 3:13 PM CDT reply actions

nice ear candy

Well, nice try at least. ;)

My biggest thrill yesterday, other than screaming my lungs out when Dome did his thing, was simply listening to the radio off-air moments when all you hear is the sound of the field and the crowd.

I will be going to one or all of the games in Philly (April 11-13) and will see what multimedia I can pass along from the east coast [though as a fanshot likely - though I will be armed with a variety of mobile tech]. Probably catch more than a few raspberries from the phans...

Win.

by RavenswoodRob on Apr 1, 2008 4:41 PM CDT reply actions

Cool concept...

...but could a podcast be far behind? It almost seems like this is where you could wind up, Al. Maybe occasional audio posts instead of written ones?

Also, continuing my obsession with the Fanshots section of the site, maybe there could be a way for us to post audio clips there.

Just a few random thoughts here...

Ladies and gentlemen, your 2008 Chicago Cubs starting outfield: Soriano-Pie-Fukudome. Let it be.

by daver on Apr 1, 2008 4:43 PM CDT reply actions

That's a possibility.

Send your idea about audio clips to bugreport (at) sbnation (dot) com, make sure you note that it's a feature request, not a bug. They'll take a look at it.

BTW, I now see that the map I intended to put on the post is there. Looks good -- a map plus an aerial photo, which had to be taken in the last two years, because the new bleachers are shown. I can see myself sitting in the LF corner.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Apr 1, 2008 6:25 PM CDT up reply actions

Podcast / Audio

I love the idea of hearing audio and podcasts from Al and my other fellow BCBers...

My question/suggestion and perhaps Al will tell me to send it on to the bugreport e-mail, but is there a way to upload the audio as an mp3 file we can download, or someone can let me know how to get an option to "Save File As" for the above clip so I can download it and put it on my mp3 player?

Nice to see the improvements already :)

Proudly waving the Cubbie Blue from Northern Missouri! GO CUBS GO!

by Tater01 on Apr 1, 2008 7:36 PM CDT up reply actions

Hey, speaking of Wayne Messmer

...perhaps he'd be willing to do a BCB interview. Just food for thought.

by Rev Gunia on Apr 1, 2008 9:45 PM CDT reply actions

Hey, interesting idea.

Let me see what I can do about this.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Apr 2, 2008 4:17 AM CDT up reply actions

I like the map link.

It has a good listing of hotels near Wrigley Field. And the aerial view gives you a feeling of how close to the ballpark each hotel is. This is very useful for anyone (Japanese or not) planning a trip to Wrigley Field for the first time. Thanks, Al.

by Fraggin Judge on Apr 2, 2008 7:48 AM CDT reply actions