TV Broadcasts/Announcers/Production

[random observer]

A broadcast team talking delis, chicken parm sandwiches, traffic, workout routines, haircuts!!! is different from not keeping track of other pertinent games.

No argument for me on those things, and I agree that stuff is annoying. But people have also complained any time that they mention teams that aren't presently on the field, and it's disingenuous to pretend otherwise. People want to find reasons to hate these guys.

Frankly the only one who really bothers me is Carc, as he is the one who goes heavy on the hyperbole, and he typically is the instigator for the things you mentioned above. But I also think he's a great guy, and my frustration is just as much because I think he's capable of better (particularly when he is in the sideline and not in the booth).

Regardless, for the people complaining about the lack of coverage of the other stuff, they've just gone in depth with what's going on elsewhere during the halftime show.

Carc on the sidelines during the Final 4 and championship is really good. When Quint isn't going out of his way to troll, he's really good. These guys know the game so well, and we're all lacrosse nerds, so that's what we want to hear. I have no idea if all of the other filler is good for the casual fan (presumably for entertainment?). When Quint is in the booth with Sheehan Stanwick Burch, they're really good together. Joe B and Mark Dixon are the best combo, IMO. Sometimes you can tell when Joe is just coming off his NHL duties when he gets a little too "he shoots, he scores!", but he is a great pbp guy. CBS Sports has some good people, especially when Evan Washburn is paired with Dave Ryan, who is a great pbp guy.

Someone has to tone Anish down, though. He sells ESPN's products way too hard. The constant hyperbole on "best player ever!" is really bad.

Yeah I think this comment is very accurate (although I would say it's Carc, not Anish, who really lays it on thick with "the best __ in all of college lacrosse" shtick). The problem is typically when you put them all in the same booth, and they enable each others' worst tendencies. But on the whole I think they're all pretty competent. Quint in particular is very good and gets too much hate.

Someone should tell Quint it is a lacrosse field, not a pitch

I say this sincerely: what serious person cares for even one second if someone calls it a lacrosse field or a pitch?

It was driving me nuts. Called it a pitch like 6-8 times during the game

Fair enough. I personally think it's a very minor detail in the grand scheme of things. If that's your worst complaint about an announcer then they're damn good IMO.

[Hooz123]

A broadcast team talking delis, chicken parm sandwiches, traffic, workout routines, haircuts!!! is different from not keeping track of other pertinent games.

No argument for me on those things, and I agree that stuff is annoying. But people have also complained any time that they mention teams that aren't presently on the field, and it's disingenuous to pretend otherwise. People want to find reasons to hate these guys.

Frankly the only one who really bothers me is Carc, as he is the one who goes heavy on the hyperbole, and he typically is the instigator for the things you mentioned above. But I also think he's a great guy, and my frustration is just as much because I think he's capable of better (particularly when he is in the sideline and not in the booth).

Regardless, for the people complaining about the lack of coverage of the other stuff, they've just gone in depth with what's going on elsewhere during the halftime show.

Carc on the sidelines during the Final 4 and championship is really good. When Quint isn't going out of his way to troll, he's really good. These guys know the game so well, and we're all lacrosse nerds, so that's what we want to hear. I have no idea if all of the other filler is good for the casual fan (presumably for entertainment?). When Quint is in the booth with Sheehan Stanwick Burch, they're really good together. Joe B and Mark Dixon are the best combo, IMO. Sometimes you can tell when Joe is just coming off his NHL duties when he gets a little too "he shoots, he scores!", but he is a great pbp guy. CBS Sports has some good people, especially when Evan Washburn is paired with Dave Ryan, who is a great pbp guy.

Someone has to tone Anish down, though. He sells ESPN's products way too hard. The constant hyperbole on "best player ever!" is really bad.

Yeah I think this comment is very accurate (although I would say it's Carc, not Anish, who really lays it on thick with "the best __ in all of college lacrosse" shtick). The problem is typically when you put them all in the same booth, and they enable each others' worst tendencies. But on the whole I think they're all pretty competent. Quint in particular is very good and gets too much hate.

Someone should tell Quint it is a lacrosse field, not a pitch

I say this sincerely: what serious person cares for even one second if someone calls it a lacrosse field or a pitch?

It was driving me nuts. Called it a pitch like 6-8 times during the game. This isn’t soccer. See people get upset about “power play”, this is way worse. I don’t even understand when it started or why

No he didn't. He called it a pitch twice, literally, in the same passage. You have real issues if that even bothers you. This heere 'Merica! ....right?

[coda]

A broadcast team talking delis, chicken parm sandwiches, traffic, workout routines, haircuts!!! is different from not keeping track of other pertinent games.

No argument for me on those things, and I agree that stuff is annoying. But people have also complained any time that they mention teams that aren't presently on the field, and it's disingenuous to pretend otherwise. People want to find reasons to hate these guys.

Frankly the only one who really bothers me is Carc, as he is the one who goes heavy on the hyperbole, and he typically is the instigator for the things you mentioned above. But I also think he's a great guy, and my frustration is just as much because I think he's capable of better (particularly when he is in the sideline and not in the booth).

Regardless, for the people complaining about the lack of coverage of the other stuff, they've just gone in depth with what's going on elsewhere during the halftime show.

Carc on the sidelines during the Final 4 and championship is really good. When Quint isn't going out of his way to troll, he's really good. These guys know the game so well, and we're all lacrosse nerds, so that's what we want to hear. I have no idea if all of the other filler is good for the casual fan (presumably for entertainment?). When Quint is in the booth with Sheehan Stanwick Burch, they're really good together. Joe B and Mark Dixon are the best combo, IMO. Sometimes you can tell when Joe is just coming off his NHL duties when he gets a little too "he shoots, he scores!", but he is a great pbp guy. CBS Sports has some good people, especially when Evan Washburn is paired with Dave Ryan, who is a great pbp guy.

Someone has to tone Anish down, though. He sells ESPN's products way too hard. The constant hyperbole on "best player ever!" is really bad.

Yeah I think this comment is very accurate (although I would say it's Carc, not Anish, who really lays it on thick with "the best __ in all of college lacrosse" shtick). The problem is typically when you put them all in the same booth, and they enable each others' worst tendencies. But on the whole I think they're all pretty competent. Quint in particular is very good and gets too much hate.

Someone should tell Quint it is a lacrosse field, not a pitch

I say this sincerely: what serious person cares for even one second if someone calls it a lacrosse field or a pitch?

It was driving me nuts. Called it a pitch like 6-8 times during the game

Fair enough. I personally think it's a very minor detail in the grand scheme of things. If that's your worst complaint about an announcer then they're damn good IMO.

He has his own lax bro issues, especially when paired with Carc. He does have some good insights at times. Honestly, I don’t get where this came from. He is a Long Island kid that went to Hopkins. It’s about as forced as Madonna’s British accent

[CU77]

Beninati & Ward calling ND-Albany are such a relief to listen to after the endless babble of those other guys ...

[fordmaddoxford]

Kessenich’s coachspeak stammer is my issue with him.

[fordmaddoxford]

Beninati & Ward calling ND-Albany are such a relief to listen to after the endless babble of those other guys ...

You mean to say they don’t do shtick?

[CU77]

They're off the charts!

[LaxPundit07]

Time and again, Joe Beninati is the best our sport has to offer. I love hearing his calls on the Sunday night Big Ten games. And now we are blessed with his call in the tourney. His lacrosse IQ is off the charts (having been a collegiate goalie) but he uses it in a way which provides meaningful context for the viewer and projects a really professional air on the mic; not to show how many lax bros he knows or how many goals/saves he had in some game in 1987 that no one cares about now. Some of the other guys sound like they are on a blind date and want to impress their date by reliving the glory days. Joe B sounds “cool” because he is a pro’s pro.

[fordmaddoxford]

I know Beninati is from L.I.and went to Bowdoin. Where did he play his high school ball?

[Lax Mouse]

Can we just take a moment to appreciate Drew Carter and Ryan Boyle? Absolutely fantastic

[mdk01]

Beninati & Ward calling ND-Albany are such a relief to listen to after the endless babble of those other guys ...

You mean to say they don’t do shtick?

I mean to say they don't genuflect to the ACC like Quint and Carc.

[coda]

Time and again, Joe Beninati is the best our sport has to offer. I love hearing his calls on the Sunday night Big Ten games. And now we are blessed with his call in the tourney. His lacrosse IQ is off the charts (having been a collegiate goalie) but he uses it in a way which provides meaningful context for the viewer and projects a really professional air on the mic; not to show how many lax bros he knows or how many goals/saves he had in some game in 1987 that no one cares about now. Some of the other guys sound like they are on a blind date and want to impress their date by reliving the glory days. Joe B sounds “cool” because he is a pro’s pro.

He is one of the best.

[CU77]

Beninati & Ward calling ND-Albany are such a relief to listen to after the endless babble of those other guys ...

You mean to say they don’t do shtick?

I mean to say they don't genuflect to the ACC like Quint and Carc.

Quint & Carc spent 6 hours of the Ivy League Tournament proclaiming that the Ivy League had off-the-charts talent and was going to be the best conference in the country next year

[HopFan16]

Ryan Boyle is the best in the biz. Not close

[CU77]

Can we just take a moment to appreciate Drew Carter and Ryan Boyle? Absolutely fantastic

Yes!

Now if we could only get ESPN to make Beninati/Ward and Carter/Boyle the two top lax announcing teams.

[Madlax59]

Can we just take a moment to appreciate Drew Carter and Ryan Boyle? Absolutely fantastic

Yes!

Now if we could only get ESPN to make Beninati/Ward and Carter/Boyle the two top lax announcing teams.

The Drew guy annoys me.....

[NYlax222]

I'm 'a huge fan of Joe B and Matt Ward. Great combo, both excellent, neither shrill. Also like Dixon, and Boyle.
Carc/QK - i just don't see conference/team bias that other folks see. Carc tends to be always over the top - whoever just scored, saved a goal, won a game is the best, etc..... , QK - unlike most 'leading voices in any sport - will point out flaws of teams, which i appreciate. Never happens with the NFL, NBA, golf, etc. Overall, think those guys do great job promoting sport and expanding fan base.

[middleAgedBear]

Can we just take a moment to appreciate Drew Carter and Ryan Boyle? Absolutely fantastic

Yes!

Now if we could only get ESPN to make Beninati/Ward and Carter/Boyle the two top lax announcing teams.

The Drew guy annoys me.....

Same. Ryan Boyle (not going to call him ‘RB’) is excellent though.

[wahoomurf]

A broadcast team talking delis, chicken parm sandwiches, traffic, workout routines, haircuts!!! is different from not keeping track of other pertinent games.

No argument for me on those things, and I agree that stuff is annoying. But people have also complained any time that they mention teams that aren't presently on the field, and it's disingenuous to pretend otherwise. People want to find reasons to hate these guys.

Frankly the only one who really bothers me is Carc, as he is the one who goes heavy on the hyperbole, and he typically is the instigator for the things you mentioned above. But I also think he's a great guy, and my frustration is just as much because I think he's capable of better (particularly when he is in the sideline and not in the booth).

Regardless, for the people complaining about the lack of coverage of the other stuff, they've just gone in depth with what's going on elsewhere during the halftime show.

Carc on the sidelines during the Final 4 and championship is really good. When Quint isn't going out of his way to troll, he's really good. These guys know the game so well, and we're all lacrosse nerds, so that's what we want to hear. I have no idea if all of the other filler is good for the casual fan (presumably for entertainment?). When Quint is in the booth with Sheehan Stanwick Burch, they're really good together. Joe B and Mark Dixon are the best combo, IMO. Sometimes you can tell when Joe is just coming off his NHL duties when he gets a little too "he shoots, he scores!", but he is a great pbp guy. CBS Sports has some good people, especially when Evan Washburn is paired with Dave Ryan, who is a great pbp guy.

Someone has to tone Anish down, though. He sells ESPN's products way too hard. The constant hyperbole on "best player ever!" is really bad.

Yeah I think this comment is very accurate (although I would say it's Carc, not Anish, who really lays it on thick with "the best __ in all of college lacrosse" shtick). The problem is typically when you put them all in the same booth, and they enable each others' worst tendencies. But on the whole I think they're all pretty competent. Quint in particular is very good and gets too much hate.

Someone should tell Quint it is a lacrosse field, not a pitch

I say this sincerely: what serious person cares for even one second if someone calls it a lacrosse field or a pitch?

There was nothing wrong with Q calling it a pitch. Clearly, some of the knuckle draggers here (probably from Long Island) get triggered when Q out cultures them.

Pleased to know that Joe Beninati is a fellow Long Islander...as is Quint. I'm not as well versed as Quint when it comes to culture. I'm sure he absorbed much of those gifts at both Lynbrook H.S. and JHU. Hell,l went to a cow college in the south. A place where agriculture supplanted culture.

I'm just ecstatic that the sport is televised. I know enough about the game, as do most FANLAX folks. Pretty sure we can survive and enjoy the action without the ability to differentiate a Picasso from a Pizza.

[Ice1570]

Ryan Boyle is the best in the biz. Not close

Could not agree more and has been for years.