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Mistake!
by Dave
Friday, May 09, 2008
I have to admit that I thoroughly enjoy watching sports of all types as much as possible. And this internet thing really comes in handy when events take place and I cannot possibly attend them. We have watched several softball games online via college sponsored programs in which for a reasonable price, it is possible to subscribe to their "webcasts." This year I was really looking forward to the Big East softball championship tournament. When I discovered that the Big East has their own webcasts, I quickly ponied up the 6 bucks and planned my schedule to see several of the games. Unfortunately, things did not work out very well for me.
First of all the sign-up process was miserable. I entered in my credit card and other information several times before the thing finally decided not to crap out. I guess they can't afford to have big time web developers over at the B-East. Their software and other technology is weak, to say the least.
But finally I was able to get through and get my card posted. Then, in order to see the webcast, I basically had to close down all the idiotic windows which had popped up in the process of placing my order, exit out of Big Beast dot org and then try to sign on again. When I did, I was greeted with a message which told me I had not purchased any products. I figured maybe my credit card did not go through yet so I walked away from the puter and had some lunch. later I signed back in again and was greeted similary. This time I decided to click on anything and everything I could find until they let me see my blasted games, one of which was already underway.
After much trial and tribulation, I finally got the game on. It played on Windows media player which has, shall we say, limited functionality. But the picture wasn't too bad and I was able to see some of the game, though, might I add, i couldn't tell which team was which, there was nothing on the screen indicating inning, outs, score, let alone ball and strike count. It wasn't quite like watching TV. Then, after just a few minutes, there was a substantial rain delay. I decided I could live with that because there's nobody to blame. This sort of thing happens. And I wasn't hot to watch this particular game anyway. It was the next three, the semi-finals and the championship which really interested me.
An hour or so later, I decided to check and see if the game had begun. Apparently it hadn't but it was difficult to tell. I had been booted off the server for inactivity, I guess. I had to close windows again and re-navigate the site. Later the games came back on and I watched several. It wasn't the worst experience I've ever had watching sports via the web but certainly not even close to being comparable to the best. The picture quality is what it is. The streaming sometimes ran into great difficulty and I felt like I was either watching a series of stills or a slow-motion reproduction. My internet connection is good and my machine is top quality. Whatever was to blame, it was on their end, not mine.
It is a minor point but the fellow the Big East had doing this game knew nothing about softball. He kept referrinf to things in baseball terms. And when there was a play on which there was clear offensive interference, he was left speechless because he had no idea why the umps had ruled the way they did. basically I was left lsitening to some baseball fan talk about a sport he knew nothing about. So I turned the sound off.
I got to see the games in the first round of the tournament I wanted to see and was lookign forward to the semis and final game today and tomorrow, weather permitting. Unfortunately, the "Big East softball tournament package" does not include access to anything but the first round! the second and third rounds have been sold off to CBS' CSTV. So I got shut out there.
I admit that very possibly it should have been clear to me that all the games were not included. But it wasn't clear to either me or my wife. And we're extremely experienced at this. I wonder about the poor guy who paid over his money to watch his daughter or niece play. Was it obvious to him that this package only included the first day's play? I'll let you know when I speak to him!
I wrote to the Big East and complained. My wife said I should just deny the charge on my credit card. I could have done that and it would have cost them a lot. I wouldn;'t have paid one red cent but they would have to foot the bill for the charge-back. I decided it would be better to complain and see what their response was. That was mistake number two. The guy who wrote me back said basically "sorry but you're the one who made the foolish mistake."
For now, I'm done with the Big East. I went to a Big East School. I have been to literally hundreds of Big East sporting events. I'll never pay over another red cent to the Big East to watch their webcasts online. And I strongly suggest you refrain from doing so too.
 
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