FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, May 21st, 2013
WHITE SOX vs. CUBS “CROSSTOWN CUP” COVERAGE RETURNS TO COMCAST SPORTSNET NEXT WEEK
Comcast SportsNet’s Crosstown coverage gets underway on Memorial Day (Mon, May 27) with an expanded, one-hour edition of “Cubs Pre-Game Live: Crosstown Cup” at 5:00 PM; Cubs at White Sox first pitch at 6:00 PM!
CSN to carry LIVE coverage of all four Crosstown battles (May 27-28 at U.S. Cellular Field & May 29-30 at Wrigley Field); coverage team to include Harrelson, Stone, Kasper, Deshaies, Melton, Hollandsworth, Kaplan & Garfien!
New ‘Crosstown Clash’ Twitter battle for northside-southside fans featuring CSN baseball gurus Kaplan (Cubs) vs. Garfien (White Sox)
CSNChicago.com to also provide LIVE video stream of post-game press conferences, plus detailed “Crosstown Cup” analysis via ‘CubsTalk’ & ‘WhiteSoxTalk,’
along with numerous feature stories & in-game “Tweets” from Kaplan, Garfien, Mooney, Hayes and more!
Chicago, IL (May 21, 2013) – Comcast SportsNet, the television home for the most games and most comprehensive coverage of the Chicago White Sox and Chicago Cubs, is ready jump start the annual southside-northside rivalry in a big way with expanded, LIVE coverage of ALL FOUR GAMES of the “Crosstown Cup” series beginning Memorial Day (Monday, May 27). In addition, fans from both sides of town can look forward to heating up the rivalry all this week via social media with specialized Cubs/Sox interactive Twitter handles, plus – CSNChicago.com will be there to provide dedicated 24/7 coverage of this always-entertaining city series.
Comcast SportsNet’s “Crosstown Cup” coverage gets underway on Memorial Day (Monday, May 27) with an expanded, one-hour edition of Cubs Pre-Game Live: Crosstown Cup presented by Papa John’s at 5:00 PM CT LIVE from U.S. Cellular Field. The one-hour special, hosted by CSN’s Cubs studio team of David Kaplan & Todd Hollandsworth, along with CSN’s White Sox studio team of Chuck Garfien & Bill Melton, will feature a detailed series preview, along with special guests representing both teams. First pitch coverage of this “Cubs telecast” on CSN begins at 6:00 PM featuring Len Kasper & Jim Deshaies with the game call. Immediately following the game, fans can look forward to a complete game recap/analysis, plus live post-game press conferences, player interview and much more on Cubs Post Game Live: Crosstown Cup presented by BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois.
Tuesday’s (May 28) game at U.S. Cellular Field will be a “White Sox telecast” on Comcast SportsNet featuring the announcing tandem of Ken “Hawk” Harrelson & Steve Stone; White Sox Pre-Game Live: Crosstown Cup presented by Subaru begins at 6:30 PM, first pitch coverage begins at 7:00 PM, which will be followed by White Sox Post Game Live: Crosstown Cup presented by Orland Park Nissan immediately following the game.
The “Crosstown Cup” series then shifts to the northside for the final two games with the Wed, May 29 telecast being at “Cubs telecast” on CSN and Thu, May 30 game being a “White Sox telecast.” Pre-game coverage both days gets underway at 12:30 PM with first pitch set for 1:20 PM. NOTE: The Wednesday, May 29 edition of “Cubs Pre-Game Live” will take place outside of Wrigley Field near the world-famous red marquee sign. Comcast SportsNet’s complete “Crosstown Cup” coverage schedule appears at the end of this release.
Among the feature stories airing on editions of “Cubs/Sox Pre-Game Live” and/or “SportsNet Central” during “Crosstown Cup” week include a piece on the Hairston & Bell families and how their multiple generations of baseball history have come together in Chicago; an interview with a Chicago Heights die-hard Cubs fan who has team legend/Baseball Hall of Famer Ron Santo’s #10 tattooed on his head; a White Sox closing pitcher feature from Chuck Garfien on current stopper Addison Reed and his current bullpen coach, all-time White Sox saves leader Bobby Thigpen…plus, a brand new edition of “Big Hurt TV” will debut as White Sox legend/current studio analyst Frank Thomas takes a ride on the CTA’s red line with Garfien to show fans the ease of getting to U.S. Cellular Field during the train line’s re-construction period.
From a social media perspective, Comcast SportsNet will be heating up the Cubs-Sox rivalry on Twitter beginning THIS WEEK as CSN’s resident baseball gurus David Kaplan (Cubs) and Chuck Garfien (White Sox) will be asking their followers to showcase their team allegiance in the “Crosstown Clash: Kap vs. Chuck – Twitter War for Cubs and Sox Fans. To get interactive, fans of both teams are urged to utilize the respective Cubs/Sox Twitter hashtags #TeamKap or #TeamChuck to post comments and/or send in their team pride photos all this week leading up to the Crosstown opener on Monday night, May 27. Kaplan and Garfien will be vying for the most overall mentions and, of course, bragging rights…plus – a few lucky followers who participate in this Twitter battle will also receive a CSN prize pack!
In addition, Comcast SportsNet’s website, CSNChicago.com, will provide even more exclusive “Crosstown Cup” content including the following highlights:
- CSNChicago.com will stream EVERY “Crosstown Cup” press conference LIVE providing insider access to White Sox manager Robin Ventura and Cubs manager Dale Sveum addressing the media as it happens.
- In Game Live – a seamless social and interactive second screen experience around every “Crosstown Cup” telecast – extends the game from the TV screen to the tablet, mobile phone and PC. In Game Live combines state-of-the-art infographics and data visualization of real-time statistics and game info with rich social interactivity.
- Complete coverage of the “Crosstown Cup” 24/7 from CSNChicago.com Cubs Insider Patrick Mooney (@CSNMooney), White Sox Insider Dan Hayes (@DanHayesCSN), plus – additional coverage provided by CSN “Pre/Post Game Live” hosts Chuck Garfien (@ChuckGarfien) and David Kaplan (@thekapman). CSNChicago.com digital baseball producers Tony Andracki (@TonyAndracki23) and JJ Stankevitz (@JJStankevitz) will also be providing game day reports, analysis and features. Mooney and Hayes will also profile the “13 Most Influential People in Chicago Baseball”
- “Cubs Pulse” & “White Sox Pulse” presented by AT&T U-verse — a one-stop social media hub that reveals the latest trending topics and player buzz from Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Plus, “Cubs/White Sox Pulse” aggregates all player tweets from both teams, along with fan tweets that utilize the hashtag #CrosstownCup, along #CubsTalk & #WhiteSoxTalk. The most intriguing fan comments to be featured on “White Sox/Cubs Post Game Live.”
- ‘Cubs Talk’ (@CubsTalkCSN) and ‘White Sox Talk’ (@WhiteSoxTalkCSN) will offer news, views and analysis from Mooney, Hayes, Garfien, Kaplan, Andracki and Stankevitz, as well as other CSNChicago.com contributors.
Note Comcast SportsNet’s full coverage breakdown for the upcoming White Sox vs. Cubs “Crosstown Cup” series:
MONDAY, MAY 27
5:00 PM – Cubs Pre-Game Live: Crosstown Cup presented by Papa John’s – Expanded, one hour, special edition pre-game show LIVE from U.S. Cellular Field
6:00 PM – CUBS at WHITE SOX (L) – “Cubs telecast” featuring Len Kasper & Jim Deshaies
9:00 PM – Cubs Post Game Live: Crosstown Cup presented by BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois (time approx.) – complete game recap/analysis, plus live post-game press conferences and player interviews
9:30 PM/10:00 PM/10:30 PM – GMC SportsNet Central – Full Crosstown recap, along with the latest news/highlights from the day in sports
12:00 AM – SportsNet Central presented by CLR – Full Crosstown recap, along with the latest news/highlights from the day in sports
12:30 AM – Cubs at White Sox (game replay)
TUESDAY, MAY 28
5:00 PM – SportsTalk Live presented by Captain Morgan – Special edition pre-game discussion & analysis with host David Kaplan and special guests LIVE from U.S. Cellular Field
6:00 PM – SportsNet Central presented by AT&T U-Verse – Even more pre-game coverage LIVE from U.S. Cellular Field
6:30 PM – White Sox Pre-Game Live: Crosstown Cup presented by Subaru – Special edition pre-game show LIVE from U.S. Cellular Field
7:00 PM – CUBS at WHITE SOX (L) – “White Sox telecast” featuring Ken “Hawk” Harrelson & Steve Stone
9:45 PM – White Sox Post Game Live: Crosstown Cup presented by Orland Park Nissan (time approx.) – complete game recap/analysis, plus live post-game press conferences and player interviews
10:00 PM/10:30 PM – GMC SportsNet Central – Full Crosstown highlights, along with complete recap/highlights from the day in sports
12:00 AM – SportsNet Central presented by CLR – Full Crosstown highlights, along with complete recap/highlights from the day in sports
1:30 AM – Cubs at White Sox (game replay)
WEDNESDAY, MAY 29
12:30 PM – Cubs Pre-Game Live: Crosstown Cup presented by Papa John’s – Expanded, special edition pre-game show LIVE from just outside the ballpark near Wrigley Field’s world-famous red marquee sign
1:20 PM – WHITE SOX at CUBS (L) – “Cubs telecast” featuring Len Kasper & Jim Deshaies
4:30 PM – Cubs Post Game Live: Crosstown Cup presented by BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois (time approx.) – complete game recap/analysis, plus live post-game press conferences and player interviews
5:30 PM – SportsTalk Live presented by Captain Morgan – Post-game discussion & analysis with special guests and host David Kaplan
6:30 PM – SportsNet Central presented by AT&T U-Verse – Full Crosstown recap, along with the latest news/highlights from the day in sports
7:00 PM – White Sox at Cubs (game replay)
10:00 PM & 10:30 PM – GMC SportsNet Central – Full Crosstown recap, along with the latest news/highlights from the day in sports
THURSDAY, MAY 30
12:30 PM – White Sox Pre-Game Live: Crosstown Cup presented by Subaru – Expanded, special edition pre-game show LIVE from Wrigley Field
1:20 PM – WHITE SOX at CUBS (L) – “White Sox telecast” featuring Ken “Hawk” Harrelson & Steve Stone
4:30 PM – White Sox Post Game Live: Crosstown Cup presented by Orland Park Nissan (time approx.) – complete game recap/analysis, plus live post-game press conferences and player interviews
5:30 PM – SportsTalk Live presented by Captain Morgan – Post-game discussion & analysis with special guests and host David Kaplan
6:30 PM – SportsNet Central presented by AT&T U-Verse – Full Crosstown recap, along with the latest news/highlights from the day in sports
7:00 PM – White Sox at Cubs (game replay)
10:00 PM & 10:30 PM – GMC SportsNet Central – Full Crosstown recap, along with the latest news/highlights from the day in sports
ALL TIMES CENTRAL TIME
SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
NBC Sports Regional Networks, part of the NBC Sports Group, consists of 13 local networks that deliver more than 2,400 sporting events annually, along with breaking news and comprehensive analysis, to more than 50 million cable and satellite homes. The NBC Sports Regional Networks are: Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, Comcast SportsNet California, Comcast SportsNet Chicago, Comcast SportsNet Houston, Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, Comcast SportsNet New England, Comcast SportsNet Northwest, Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, CSS and SNY. NBC Sports Regional Networks also manages NECN (New England Cable News), the nation’s largest regional news network, and The Comcast Network, based in Philadelphia and Washington, which delivers community-oriented programming. For more information, visit CSNChicago.com or ComcastSportNet.com. For more information about NBC Sports Group shows and properties, including press releases, photos, talent and executive bios and headshots, please visit NBCSportsGroupPressBox.com.
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