The Fox Sports South broadcast team will change positions Friday night, calling the Braves’ game against the Detroit Tigers from the right-field stands rather than the press box.
Chip Caray, Jeff Francoeur and Tom Glavine will work the game from a fully equipped broadcast area temporarily set up in the seats in front of the Chop House. They are looking forward to their one-night vantage point among the fans.
“I’m hoping Nick Markakis will play catch with Frenchy (Francoeur’s nickname) in right field warming up before the game. That’ll be fun,” Caray said Thursday. “Freddie Freeman said he might try to hit a homer or two out to us, which would be great. Preferably, Francoeur will catch it.”
This will be the first time Fox Sports South broadcasters call a game from the stands at SunTrust Park. Their view of the action won’t be as good from above right field, of course, as from their regular broadcast-booth perch behind the plate. They’ll rely heavily on monitors and their crew’s camera work.
It won’t be an entirely new experience for Caray, who recalls broadcasting a game from the left-field stands at Wrigley Field in 1998 as the Chicago Cubs’ play-by-play announcer.
“Had a great time,” he said. “People were buying us beers and yelling and screaming.”
Caray said he and his broadcast partners are looking forward to engaging and interacting with Braves fans around Friday’s telecast.
“I’m a firm believer (in) anything you can do to get yourself closer to the fans and see the game through their eyes,” Caray said. “It’s a different perspective and a way to make the game a little more fun. We’re excited about it.
“It’s a way to connect with fans. … Just sort of celebrate the game the way fans do.”
Game time is 7:20 p.m.
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