Who controls what you see on the Indians scoreboard?

CLEVELAND, Ohio - At first glance, the Cleveland Indians scoreboard operating room is an overwhelming, incomprehensible mix of images flashing on screens.

But the crew at Progressive Field's nerve center keeps Major League Baseball's largest scoreboard running smoothly.

"We try to create that live experience," said Nick Gambone, acting as executive producer for what is known as the "live experience" crew. "We're charged with making people enjoy themselves. It's a pretty amazing choreography."

They could be air-traffic controllers, coordinating the thousands of blinking images. Gambone and crew use a daily rundown - a script with flexibility - to orchestrate what and when images are planned.

"It's a lot of reaction," Gambone said. "Our job is to capture moments that happen."

More than two dozen employees fill the room, which has more than 35 screens and 22 camera feeds. (One TV is non-Indians, for another game or news event staff needs to be aware of. Last Friday, it was tuned to "Wheel of Fortune" at one point.)

Throughout the game, the colleagues clap and chatter. "He's got it! And there it is!" or -- more than once -- "Holy heck!"

"If we can create that energy, the fans feed off that, the team can feed off that," Gambone said.

Here's how it works inside the studio, on the second level overlooking home plate on the first-base side.

WHO DOES WHAT?

Executive producer: Oversees the operation. When he calls for replay, the staff kicks into action. If there is a double off the wall, they will need the reaction of the player on second. "I'm the second set of eyes," Gambone said. "The director really runs the show." The executive producer focuses on the atmosphere, "helps make it a moment." It's his call to postpone a sponsor message if there is an exciting play. "When a team does well we want to capitalize on the moments." For example, if there's a five-run inning there's a sudden flurry of highlights. But the rundown calls for a sponsor mention. It's the executive producer's decision to delay it.

Gambone, who hails from Canton and wanted to be an Indians center fielder when he was a kid -- has worked for the team for 12 years. He credits the Indians for allowing him the latitude to delay sponsor messages when appropriate. The executive producer looks at the field more than the director does.

Director: Calls shots on what to do and when, works closely with the executive producer. Gambone calls Daryl Royer "a hybrid director-executive producer." Director focuses on the technical side of the production, so you hear a lot of "3-2-1-go!" camera instructions. Director is one of the few who stands for much of the game, more of the residue of nervous energy. He watches screens more than game.

Technical director: Responsible for literally pushing the buttons. Jeff Alberini was in the role, sitting in front of what resembles a sound board at a rock concert.

ABOUT THE JOB

Rundown: Overall scripted plan of attack. Extremely detailed, yet flexible to change within a moment's notice. There is both a paper and digital rundown; the latter looks like a network television schedule, with slots to fit in what goes where.

Music: Other than walk-up music - which is the choice of players and can change at any time - what tune you hear comes from scoreboard operators. Gambone said they like to choose smart and subtle selections. As the Tigers lineup was being flashed during Friday's game, Kiss' "Detroit Rock City" played.

Technical support: Think your IT department responds quickly when there are problems? A pair of game-day engineers are at every game.

What you won't see: Live images during play. The room's quiet tones can be broken by key plays or exciting moments, like when Mike Napoli's ground-rule double was lost by Justin Upton in the first inning. Within five seconds the replay was on the screen. The only reason is took that long, Royer said, is because Major League Baseball has a rule prohibiting live images during play.

Off season: Many of the workers take similar roles for Cavs, Gladiators, Monsters or high school sports. Everyone, Gambone, said, stays in the industry.

Rain delay: "When it comes to rain, there's nothing that you can really do," Gambone said. "We have to keep the fans entertained." Depending on the length of the delay, the crew will air games involving first-place American League teams, "anything that can affect the playoffs." On-air talent will be sent to various points of the park for quick stand-ups or interviews.

Camaraderie: "We operate as one team," Gambone said. Added Royer: "We pay attention, but we get a lot of input from people in the room. ... We have a lot of guys who really know baseball. Someone might say 'this guy is doing really good in this situation. Here's a graphic.' We have to anticipate pitching change; we're gonna have some time on our hands. Everyone has a particular role, but all watch out for everybody."

Sponsors: Every break has a sponsor, and that can change often.

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