Behind the Scenes: Telemundo Wisconsin Brewers broadcast

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – For over 20 years Telemundo Wisconsin has been the only channel Brewers fans can watch every Sunday home game in Spanish for free over the air.

The crew that calls the game is a small but dedicated one that speaks the universal language of baseball.

"If it's Sunday and they're at home in the afternoon, you can find us on Telemundo," Kevin Holden said.

Holden is the Sports Director for Telemundo Wisconsin and CBS 58. For the past 15 years, Holden has been using his Spanish speaking skills to give his sportscasts in both English and Spanish. When the opportunity to call games in Spanish for Telemundo Wisconsin arose, he made sure to swing for the fences.

"It's a benefit to a percentage of the population that can tune in and watch baseball, a sport that's universal, but they can tune in and watch it in their own language," he said.

The veteran journalist is joined at every game by Spanish sports commentator Jaime Cano Lopez. Cano Lopez said it is a privilege to talk baseball for the community.

"It has been great. I am always looking forward to it," he said. "I really appreciate when people stop me and say, 'Hey I have been watching Telemundo, and you guys are funny,' if they speak Spanish."

Before the show, engineers set up the equipment in the press box while Holden and Cano Lopez prepare to share stats, history, and a lot of times, jokes with the viewers.

"If you're really going to describe the action, you want all the information humanly possible at your disposal," Holden explained. "Jaime and I try our best to mix the fun and the baseball together."

They also have pre-game traditions like enjoying a sweet treat together.

"The ice cream is a must. Like, it has to happen," Holden said. "So, that's the superstition that's gone on for years and years with us in the broadcast."

While they are at the ballpark doing the play-by-play at the Telemundo Wisconsin studios, another team is at bat.

"We have a technical director who calls all the shots. We have our graphics operator who keeps track of the score, he puts in all the player stats," Sports Broadcast Producer for Telemundo Wisconsin Sal Gomez explained.

"We also have our engineer who makes sure no technical issues are going on. My job as a producer is to pre-produce all of the in-game elements of the show."

Holden said the team back at the station is crucial to the broadcast's success.

"The replays come from here in the building, but the people back at the station have to take that video and put it on the air, everything has to run smooth," he said. "They're the most important people."

While it seems effortless it is a result of dedication, hard work, and of course, the love of baseball.

"It's the most satisfying thing I have ever done in my career," Holden said.