By David Scott
Boston Sports Media Watch

• We weren’t going to go there. We really weren’t.

But then we did some math. And we did some observing.

And the simple fact is, no matter how you assess it, the local plunge by the Ink-Stained wretches into Web Logging (blogging), has been an utter failure.

The Olympics are only the latest example of how woeful the conglomerate of the Boston Globe and the teetering mess of the Boston Herald have been in terms of Internet interactivity with its consumers.

With the exception of the Globe’s Mike Reiss and the Herald’s Dan Ventura, almost every other entrant into the so-called blogosphere has been sporadic, sparse and sadly lacking. (The Globe’s ballyhooed High School Blog, hailed by the paper upon its launch has seen six posts all month long. And a third of those were done by Reiss from his West region wanderings.)

What’s worse, is none of the locals have been able to capture the spirit and irreverence of a solid, newspaper-sponsored sports blog the way the Washington Post has been with Dan Steinberg’s “Olympic Journal”. (The inclusion of Shots’ fave, Barry Svrluga, raises the comedy level to “well-worth-perusing” status.)

The Globe – who by our count has six writing staffers in Italy – is giving a decidedly less riveting account at its Olympics blog. (Total staff for the Globe is likely higher, as they have on-sight editors and photographers as well.)

Credit should go to Reid Laymance who has pushed the envelope a bit with some “rigors of event coverage” tales. But the focus – and more importantly, the need to frequently check back – are severely lacking for the Green Boxers’s web presence.

Interestingly, the Globe’s biggest score of the week could very well have come on national TV when John Powers (of Television) played Games Guru for the King of All Sports Media, Tony Kornheiser and his partner, Michael Wilbon on the consistently outstanding, PTI. (Run-on sentence not withstanding, a worthwhile phrase.)

Powers joked and informed with the boys on Wednesday evenings and even went as far as to say Bode Miller would get the Goose Egg for the Games. Powers, the longtime Olympics Oracle for the Globe, is a cross between SI’s Peter King and what you’d assume the Herald’s Joe Fitzgerald would be in real life. According to a Harvard Magazine story form this month, Powers has covered every Olympics since 1972. In that story he says, “For 17 days, there’s no world outside the Olympics. It’s sporting’s Brigadoon.”

We’re guessing Boston Powers is back on “PTI” next week for a deserved encore. And we’d suggest that some Basketball Bob from SopranosLand wouldn’t hurt ESPN either. But it sure does look like Powers could be setting himself up nicely to be the every two year-equivalent of Mel Kiper Jr. he’s even got the good head of hair. . .We’re going to ignore the Jackie Mack/Michael Smith love-in that occurred on “Around the Horn” on Thursday - zany TV like that can only come out of well-lit rooms at VideoLInk.

. . . The Herald, meanwhile, with two writing staffers in Italy (Karen Guregian in her dual reporter/columnist role and Stephen Harris is in his ever-steady, reporter’s role) is not even attempting a blog presence.

It says here that the Herald Duo also seems to be keeping pace on the print side, (augmented with AP Olympic coverage in words and photo). If I were solely reading the Herald’s Olympic coverage I would have as good – if not better – knowledge of the Games as a reader solely reading the Globe. Ryan and Powers certainly give a “quality edge” to the Globe, but a re-evaluation of resources might be in order.

I guess, I’m just saying, that with all that staff and all that talent calling MoBlvd home, you’d kind of think there would be some technological enhancements and/or additions to the (often out-of-date) print offerings. A PodCast perhaps? Some bootleg video from amazing Amalie in the Athletes’ Village? I dunno, I’m just thinking out loud here. But a little creativity sure could go a long way.

Thing is, Shots isn’t crying ‘Wolf’ anymore – this is where it’s all going folks. At the fast-learners’ places, the revolution has already begun. Here in, Boston, the big boys seem to waiting for Paul Revere to gallop across the Commons. Or Fenway Park.

. . . On a side note to that – the local, smaller papers have done little to venture forth. Projo.com trotted out Tom E or No E Curran and his woefully under-producing PatsBlog ; the Eagle Tribune’s site (free offerings) is an abomination of bad layout and awful navigation. Just try and find and a Rob Bradford story. (Who, by the way is getting good TV opportunities locally and rounding into a fine, all-around baseball man of note. Good for him – we like Bradford’s style.)

Worcester’s telegram.com site is average at best, but that’s sort of understood. The Patriot Ledger’s site is bare bones – but bones enough for me to get my Mike Fine Fill with relative ease. No bells, no whistles, but text of the dutiful PL staff’s stories is easily accessible.

It’s not a healthy situation when the Patriot Ledger is leading the pack of this region’s New Media. No offense, Humble One Praised Be You, but you get the point. Everyone’s moving in slow motion, it would seem.

• We’re pretty sure the local Sox Media Arms Race is in full gear as you read this. The first seven to 10 days of Sox Camp ’06 is upon us and huge numbers of the local media folk will be making the pilgrimage down South to stockpile sound bytes and stories from TitoVille. It’s gonna be a zoo, as always, and while Shots is not currently scheduled for a Southward jaunt, you never do know what last minute deals may arise. Stay tuned on the front. . .

We will, however, give “FSN’s Spring Training 2006” the early edge in most crafty programming maneuver. The FSNers will originate the half-time show for three Celtics’ telecasts from “The Terrace” at Ft. Myers’ DiamondHead Beach Resort. (They also get the longest sponsorship name since the Granite City/Giant Glass/Your Name Here NESN Red Sox post-game, pre-game: the “DiamondHead Beach Resort on Fort Myers Beach Mohegan Sun New England Sports Tonight (NEST). . . On the Road. . . Sponsored by Dick’s Sporting Goods.”)

There’s also talk of studio audiences, ala Stephen Angry Smith. Maybe Greg Dickerson can Stephen Agitate things up a bit for the DiamondHeaders. . . Best of all, man about town, Bronson Arroyo “and his guitar visit the Terrace Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 6:30 p.m.” The Yankees have pitchers with back problems (Pavano) and we’ve got pitchers with music problems. Fair enough trade-off to me.

• Our NECN crush (there, I admitted it!), Anya Huneke had one of the old-timers in tears for her package on the 1972 US Hockey Team (with a new book by CBS PR good guy, Jerry Caraccioli, (and his twin Tom Caraccioli) .
Huneke usually plays with the smart folks in health and science, but she had just the right touch for a sentimental sports story. She’s so national, it’s blatant. . . This Lisa Loeb crush is getting bigger for Shots as well, kiddies. At first I thought it was the glasses, but even now that Anya’s dumped hers and I’m still hooked. And I just discovered that “No. 1 Single” sidekick, Illeana Douglas has a Quincy connection, so I’m thinking, maybe SHE could bring L-Squared to the south shore this summer and we can meet up in Hingham for a cocktail and work the Sunday NY Times together (with Loeb’s sister in tow, as well) and then go to the dog park. . . Whooo – I guess I am hooked on that E! show with Loeb. Sorry – lost my focus there for a few lines.

• Rick Majerus became even more endearing to me (and we’ll guess, Charlie Pierce) last night when he referred to the upset-minded Marquette quintet as the “Warriors.” He apologized profusely, but didn’t have to. And the Warriors did clinch an NCAA bid with the win.

• Sean McDonough was in finest of fiddle for the ESPN Big Monday Big Game between UConn and ‘Nova. He seemed to sense its (regular season) historical significance right form the tip. His call of the 12 minute-left, Mike Nardi “three and the lead” was nothing short of a vintage Dad Will Sunday column. Praise over here doesn’t come any bigger. . . Give me Rudy Gay, Chris Lowry and Allen Ray and I’ll give you a sold-out TD Banknorth Garden every Celtics home game. . . Jay Bilas called the Big win for Jay Wright, “a pick and roll clinic by ‘Nova.”. . . The screwy start to the Monday night game gave us one of the latest Bill Raftery man-to-man’s in the history of the fabled line. You’re supposed to “lay out” for the line on the first defensive possession, (in this case McDonough) but an odd clock problem delayed Raf’s signature phrase. But he got it in. Phew!. . .Someone will have a lot of explaining to do to aforementioned Basketball Bob when he returns from the Fiat factory of Turin: Quin Snyder is out at Missouri and Eddie Sutton is out at Oklahoma State and Mike Davis is on his way out at IU. In other news locally, BC rolls, UMass came close at GW and the James kid from Northeastern might have the better pro potential than his touted teammate Jose Juan Barea. Oh, and I checked in on the UMass Boston Beacons. Tough sell that is, but I did take an immediate liking to Charlie Titus.

• Old friend (and Daily Hampshire Gazetteer) Matt Vautour was on hand yesterday at UMass, at what looked like, form the clips we saw, the Student Union steps in Amherst to show support and compassion for Jill Carroll, the kidnapped Christian Science Monitor journalist. Vautour (class of 1996), it seems, got to know Carroll (’99) in his post-Collegian days. In addition to being one of the lucky ones who have not had to leave the Pleasant Valley, Vautour has also been able to stay in touch with the JOURN department and the beloved Collegian. Good to see a sports guy with a conscience, isn’t it?. . .Vautour shared podium time with Shots’ all-time JOURN Prof, the firm, but fair, Karen List. She gave Shots his worst collegiate grade in an illustrious career of underachieving – but remains one of the most impactful instructors. . . .And while we’re giving shout-outs, let’s not forget how nice it is to see the byline of Mike Vaccaro who’s getting back into the flow over at the always amusing NY Post. We missed you V-man – the MAAC Tourney is shaping up as a doozy this year – Shots’ll be holding court at the court. That is, if you can shelve those damn Yankees for a weekend.

• Shots is in the worker bee line to be buzzing about the Take 5 Bar, a candy bar so close to perfect, we had already buzzed about even before we were into this buzzing thing.

Just try one. You’ll love it.

• Also found while trolling the chock-full, Washington Post site was this extension of a great piece done earlier this year by Ware’s Pete Thamel over at the NY Times. Makes you appreciate how much dirt Bob Hohler likely missed for his flat Thursday feature on the Townie Boys who went West.

• Jimmy Meyers is back and let’s say this: If he can book Nelson Mandela AND the Bald Skeleton Rider, he’s really going to be onto something. Jimmy’s Guy has been in touch with Shots and there’s a slim chance I might get some time with the enigma that is the talented lightning rod, Myers.

• WEEI 850 AM and Entercom appear to again be extending their mammoth footprint with this announcement sent to Clubhouse Insiders and reported by the good folks over here (thanks for the WUMB update – I would’ve been great for Wardrop’s gig, by the way):

“ENTERCOM ANNOUNCES THE SIGNING OF A DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT TO ACQUIRE RADIO STATION WBEC-FM, IN SPRINGFIELD, MA

(Bala Cynwyd, PA February 17, 2006) Entercom Communications Corp._(NYSE: ETM) today announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire radio station WBEC, 105.5 FM, in Springfield, MA, from Great Northern Radio, LLC for $5.75 million. Entercom plans to simulcast WEEI-AM 850, Sports Radio Boston with some additional syndicated programming and play by play. The acquisition is subject to FCC approval, which is expected in the second quarter.

In 2004 Entercom launched a successful simulcast of WEEI-AM into Providence, RI bringing the best of New England sports talk programming to this region. The response from listeners and advertisers has been outstanding. WEEI AM also simulcasts in Worcester on WVEI, 1440 AM.

Julie Kahn, Vice President and Market Manager of Entercom Boston stated: “The WEEI program team is excited about extending coverage into the Springfield area. WEEI Sports Radio is one of the nation’s truly unique radio stations and we know there is a great deal of interest in this market area for this programming.”

Vice President of AM Programming for Entercom Boston, Jason Wolfe said, “To be able to take Dennis and Callahan, Dale and Holley, the Big Show and Mike Adams to the Springfield/Western Massachusetts area is another great step in our plans to expand WEEI’s terrific brand. I am very excited about delivering outstanding Sports Radio to a whole new core of listeners.”. . .”

• Michelle Kwan got a free ride and so did every last one of the money-grubbers who “scripted” the ice princess programming. NBC is most guilty, we’d presume, but there’s plenty of “partners” who are complicit.

• It’s piling on of the highest order at this point, but we can’t resist:

Feb. 3, Shaughnasty column: “. . .I can’t say for certain, but I’m pretty sure the Rolling Stones never played at halftime in Durham, N.H. . .”

Feb. 5, Shaughnasty column: “. . . The last time Matt Hasselbeck played in a Super Bowl, the halftime entertainment was not the Rolling Stones. . .”

Is that the laziest damn thing you ever did see?

• I’d been wondering where Nick Bakay (and more importantly his lovely wife, Robin) had wound up. Now I know .

• I guess some credit should, surprisingly, go to Rob Simpson of NESN who has been doing an under-publicized stint as a full-time blogger. It seems Simpson’s quirks on TV translate into pretty entertaining commentary. But we’re not ready to give the Globe credit for that snag. Nice work, NESN. . . I do wish someone would dredge up the rowdy behavior of the last Olympic NHLers – there seems to be a recollection of some good frat boy behavior from that one. Morons.

• Once and for all, is it going to be Turin or Torino? Because I can’t do both. I just can’t.

• How often do I recommend a golf story? This one seems worth it. I like this Pressel kid – she’s got spunk.

• Included among the season-long promotions for the 2006 North Shore Spirit – including Rubber Boy and WWE legend Mick Foley – will be, according a Spirit release: “. . . July 16th, the Spirit will be giving away a John Kennedy bobblehead doll. Help the Spirit honor the “Super Sub”, the Spirit Manager since the inaugural season.”

Shots might even leave the Shanty for that one. We wonder if it will be bobbling to an ump’s ejection (Kennedy has a penchant for not necessarily seeing eye-to-eye with the boys in blue.) Put the Spirit on your list of summer musts, would ya please? A good take by any measure.

• Lost in the Korn to Monday Night announcement was the additional news that Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon will take PTI on the road on Mondays during the football season. The shows will air from the site of ESPN’s Monday Night Football games.” You know I’m putting all my chips on the table with Mike Soltys and the gang in Bristol to get full access to the “PTI Road Show.”

• A recent stop at the local “Building 19” revealed a table-full of large-sized AND 1 shoes. Upon closer inspection, Shots even saw a few pairs that were made (and logo-stitched in some cases) especially for AND 1 wearers. Of course, when trades happen, cases and cases of shoes with the wrong colorways sit around a warehouse or an office. Heaven forbid a baller should wear the Nuggets colors when playing for the Pistons.

The result is huge surpluses of sizes 11, 12 and way up with last year’s styles at a reasonable price ($25). I no longer am affiliated with that shoe company, but I can safely say that if you have big feet and like a good deal, than these are the sneakers for you. . . .This would especially apply to the Needham-based NASCAR Dad Jimmy, who became a big fan of the AND 1 kicks about a year ago at this time. Lots of styles, good selection and who knows? Maybe you can get an old pair of Casey Jacobsens.

• Slim chance that Shots may be getting pummeled by this anchor or that on FOX NewsChannel sometime this weekend - check back to see if I post an update confirming such lunacy.

David Scott writes from a seaside shanty on the shores of Hull, Mass. and can be reached at shots@bostonsportsmediadotcom