By David Scott
Boston Sports Media Watch

FT. MYERS, Fla. - A bit of breaking media news from here at The Fort as NESN has unveiled plans for a new 3-time weekly, half-hour show to replace the Boston Globe’s “SportsPlus” show.

The new offering, which is being touted with some signage on the fringe of the NESN stage here at the minor league complex, will be called “The Globe 10.0” and will air Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. beginning May 8, according to the show’s producer, Alan Miller.

“It will be NESN’s version of [ESPN’s wildly successful] ‘Pardon the Interruption’ in tone and pacing,” said Miller, who has been the “SportsPlus” producer for the show’s lifespan of three-plus years. “We needed to freshen up ‘SportsPlus’ and this will do that. A show like this will create more energy.”

The host (or hosts) for the show is still to be determined, but “SportPlus’s” current outstanding host, Tom Caron, won’t be able to fulfill the role because of his myriad Red Sox duties, pre- and post-game.

“We’re zeroing in on a couple of people from our list,” was all Miller would say when pressed on the topic of who will host.

The change is significant for the Globe and NESN as “SportsPlus” had frequently run into problems with its two-in-one-day (Wednesday) taping schedule that sometimes made Friday’s show a bit outdated. “10.0” will be shot each day (though not live) and will contain topical, daily material. Miller also confirmed that “10.0” - thus named for the 10 hot topics which will be discussed each show - will have a heavy web presence on Boston.com, which could even include a daily “User’s Pick” for one of the 10 topics. The web integration of the show will also be a positive step forward for the network and the newspaper. In addition, the 5:30 time slot will serve as a lead-in for the Sox pre-game show, meaning NESN will have the chance to retain viewers from 5:30 through 11 p.m. on Sox game nights.

The May debut will allow for the building of some new graphic packages, new music and, presumably allow for some set design. It also will help to have a month of Red Sox regular season games with which to promote the new show.

We can’t even begin to speculate on who the host(s) will be, but we’re assured it will be a recognizable name and face and could be either male (likely) or female (unlikely).

Miller, for those of you who don’t know, is a long-time Boston-area sports producer who was with Bob Lobel on “Sports Final” back in that show’s heyday (circa the legendary Bird/Orr/Williams sit-down). This new project for Miller represents a monster opportunity for him to re-shape the region’s TV sports talk landscape at the region’s undisputed sports leader. With imitation being the sincerest form of flattery, you can expect copycat local shows to sprout in the coming months.

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. . . The lanai behind the clubhouse where Shots has established World HQs for our stay is currently playing host to David Ortiz’s puppy, Mikey, who needed a water break in the shade of the screened-in porch. Sadly, Mikey’s handlers (friends of Papi) would not allow an exclusive interview with Shots and our lack of Spanish skills prohibited us from getting what type of dog Mikey is. Right now, we’ll just say small, black, brown and cute and probably not getting much bigger as an adult. Big Papi and Lil Mikey - what could be better?

Mikey lives in a green carrying case and seems to be enjoying the good doggie life.

. . . Wally the Green Monster was in camp and looks fit and trim - or round and green. One or the other.

. . . Curt Schilling lounged on the grassy knoll near the world famous Funai Tent after the morning workout with his wife, Shonda and children.

. . . Tonight’s NESN 6 p.m. “SportsPlus” show includes Gordon Edes and Dan Shaughnessy (who almost got beaned by a stray baseball and joked, “They must know I’m (over) here.”) The 7 p.m. “Spring Training Break” show, also hosted by Caron, includes a Coco Crisp interview that was taped on Thursday and a chat with pitching coach John Farrell. There’s also a “Mic’d Up” segment scheduled with Dustin Pedroia.

. . . NESN’s Friday morning tapes were being chronicled by the “Good Morning, Japan” show from NHK of Japan. Producer “Meg” Kimoto (Brownstein) was directing the crew that included a male reporter who I was introduced to - I have severe doubts that I made any kind of impression as I bowed deeply to his eminence the TV reporter. I’m a loser in that regard, as I get xeno-nervous and fear I may be insulting our visitors. I’m sorry in advance.

Point is, Kimoto’s mastery of English was clearly playing a huge part in the fluid way her crew moved around the NESN set and trailer/satellite compound. It’s becoming clear that the Japanese media and the Red Sox Nation are co-existing nicely. It’s a bit odd to see our local personalities swarmed by the Dice-K Crowd, but we’re thinking Shaughnessy is going to be huge in Tokyo. They’ll name babies after him.

There is no doubt that once the Fenway assault takes place, there will be a ratcheting up of tensions as space becomes more limited.

. . . The FSNNE crew ends its stay at DiamondHead with a 6:30 p.m. show that includes Julio Lugo on set at the beach, as well as a JD Drew interview and WEEI 850 AM’s Gerry Callahan. The 10 p.m. “Sports Tonight” will feature Mike Lowell, Tony Mazz and some Celtics talk.

. . . Boston Globe Magazine’s Charlie Pierce touched down in Ft. Myers after the lunch hour. He’s working a story, as always, and working it the way only Charlie can. Pierce is already making plans to position himself in a seat of comfort for the Saturday Marquette-Notre Dame Holy War at 3:30 on ABC. Heaven help the establishment that receives the Tech-Virginia game instead of Golden Eagle Warriors/Fighting Breys.

. . . CN8’s dangerous duo of Jeb Fisher and Scott Losinger have touched down in Sox Camp (after a stop at Phillies camp yesterday) and Fisher has begun some blogging for the Metro.

. . . Our weekend plans include some updates on Saturday when Dice-K Madness will be in full effect with the hurler throwing a side session and also on Sunday. We’re also working a feature on NESN’s Tom Caron that we culled from today’s on-site viewing of the NESN tapings. So check back frequently and get your Ft. Myers fill.

For now, the pool is calling. Loudly and sweetly as always.