Reactions while training for the channel-switching Olympics:

ESPN has outdone itself with two recent technological innovations: the base-cam – a camera actually built into a regulation base – now being used at the College World Series, and the goal-cam employed in the Stanley Cup hockey finals.

The unique replays of baserunners literally sliding into the base-camera’s eye are attention-grabbing.

The goal-cam – mounted at the rear of the goal – has captured some remarkable goalie saves from a unique angle, giving viewers more appreciation for the degree of difficulty.

Why does ESPN2 find it necessary to trivialize the rules of grammar, spelling and punctuation?

The network’s artsy way of running people’s first and last names together without a space and using lower case letters to start proper names on graphics may be distinct, but it isn’t correct.

What makes this particularly disturbing is the fact that this is a network supposedly aimed at the younger crowd – a younger crowd including many who are in the process of learning the English language. And people wonder why youngsters can’t spell or use proper English anymore.

ESPN2’s use of these cutesy graphics is a great disservice to its viewers. Here’s hoping this trend doesn’t catch on.

Most of the time, baseball seems better on the radio. Detroit’s 14-5 shellacking of the Red Sox Wednesday made me glad I was listening to the radio for two reasons: 1. I didn’t have to view the carnage firsthand. 2. Since I was doing other things while listening, it wasn’t a total waste of the afternoon.

It seems strange to say, but the NHL playoffs have been more intriguing and exciting to watch than the NBA this year.

There seem to be more fights in NBA games than the NHL these days. And all the in-your-face confrontations, trash-talking, and poor sportsmanship have taken a toll on the formerly pristine image of the NBA.

Judging from broadcasters’ reactions and TV-radio coverage of major league baseball, the increased offensive production this season is due to shrunken strike zones and a diluted pool of pitching talent, not “juiced” balls.

Bangor radio station WZON (620 AM) broadcast the first of at least four postseason high school baseball and softball games Thursday. The actual number of games will probably be six, including state championship action, according to Sports Director Dale Duff.

ESPN reached an agreement to acquire Creative Sports, a TV-radio sports marketing and production company in Charlotte, N.C.

Creative Sports produces 500 programs a year for various networks including ESPN, ABC, CBS, NBC, SportsChannel, Turner Broadcasting, and The Nashville Network. It owns production rights to NASCAR videos and nine college athletic conferences.

SportsChannel New England officially became an affiliate of Prime Network last Wednesday. Prime is a national sports programming service for regional networks nationwide.

SportsChannel’s addition to the ranks brings the number of Prime affiliates to 21, representing 41 million cable TV subscribers.

The move does not affect SportsChannel’s pre-existing affiliation with NewSport.