We used to be called press. TV stations were called television. Now, it’s just The Media. I hate being lumped in to that name. The Press Democrat credentials for the World Series have Media emblazoned all over it. Ugh.

During the Giants – Rangers workout Tuesday at AT&T Park in San Francisco, there was enough MEDIA to fill a cruise ship. About 30 still photographers, and about the same for television clogged up the warning track in the infield. We media types were not allowed to walk on the grass. Setting foot on the turf meant a friendly but stern warning from an MLB official.

MLB network set up a stage on the first base side complete with lights and one of those news desks. Trying to get around was sort of like playing hopscotch. Miles of TV cables lying around. String ’em all together and you could have made a zip line to Japan. Probably back too. ESPN was there too, but in the left field bleachers.

ESPN set-up their portable sound stage above the left field bleachers, Tuesday evening Oct. 26, 2010 at AT&T Park in San Francisco. (Kent Porter / Press Democrat) 2010

During the 1990 playoffs between the Red Sox and the Athletics, we were allowed to stand on the field. Fenway’s yard is very small, you had to stand somewhere. No one really cared. As the game was about ready to start, an older gentleman came up to me and said, “Get off the taup!”

“Excuse me?”

“Get off the taup!”

Perplexed I was. It must have shown on my face. “The top of what?” I answered back.

“You’re standing on the taup! The taup that’s covering the field!”

“Oh!. You mean the tarp!” I promptly sidestepped off the tarp covering third base.

He just shook his head.

Maybe that’s why the field is off limits now.

-Kent Porter

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