FOX Sports San Diego Lets the #BloggersTakeOver

Five Local Padres Bloggers "Take Over" FSSD's Spring Training Telecast

Last week, in an effort to further enhance viewers connection with the broadcast via social media, FOX Sports San Diego did something unthinkable. They handed over their Padres vs. Angels spring training telecast, one that just so happened to be selected for simulcast by MLB TV, to five guys who knew a lot about the San Diego Padres and absolutely nothing about being on live television. And then they all promoted it. The result? 

“The Bloggers Take Over” segments, initially scheduled to run in the fifth and seventh innings of the telecast, spanned the fifth, sixth and seventh innings and included even more coverage during the Padres Live postgame show.

Moderated by FOX Sports San Diego’s social media reporter, Megan Olivi, the panel of five consisted of local San Diego writers, four of whom recently combined efforts to create a collective blog called Padres Public, and a fifth who represented his personal sports and pop culture blog, LobShots.

A side stage was set near right field inside Peoria Sports Complex and while it's not clear whether it was the result of the 90 degree weather or the impending doom of live television, things got immediately sweaty. Regardless, the group came alive providing viewers with some pretty entertaining Padres baseball commentary and allowing broadcasters Mike Pomeranz and Mark Sweeney time for important other things.

Meanwhile, Twitter buzzed and from the production trucks, FOX Sports San Diego produced a stream of on-air tweets from viewers who chose to join in the conversation using the hashtag #BloggersTakeOver. In fact, Twitter buzzed so much that despite being a Wednesday afternoon spring training telecast, it seemed the only thing more important to San Diegans was the announcement of the Catholic Church's new pope. (While we're absolutely sure this statement is a complete stretch, the Twitter Trend list never lies.)

After a dismal start for the Padres, was it a coincidence that they started their comeback during the "Bloggers Take Over" segments and went on to win it, 7-6 over the Angels? We think not.

To read an entertaining review on their performance from another Padres Public contributing blogger, Bryant, click here.