In a message dated 1/15/02 10:18:25 AM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
<< I'm 100% with Acuff. How does the change make more TV-friendly what isn't on TV already (i.e., the high jump, except for maybe 3-4 jumps max per telecast)? >> "TV-friendly" was Acuff's take on the new format, but it's not the reason that Millrose organizers are trying something new. In past years, the women's high jump at Millrose has often been "ignored" (for want of a better word) by fans who were paying attention to a race on the track or were more interested in the men's or women's pole vault. (And this is not a knock on Garry Hill, who does his best as the Millrose field event announcer to draw attention to each event) The plan for this year's meet is to highlight the women's high jump while the ends of the track are being dismantled for the sprints and hurdles, which will close out the program. As much as possible, the house lights will be dimmed, with a spotlight put on each athlete as she gets ready to jump. Acuff may be right in her assertion that the format is not conducive to jumping high, but at least the Millrose folks are trying something new (Supposedly, Acuff's comments notwithstanding, with the approval of the athletes who are competing--Acuff, Waller, Aldrich). Walt Murphy P.S. The following line appeard in the AP story...Acuff thinks the changes for the women's event are a mistake, calling the new format "ridiculous." For what it's worth, she never used the word ridiculous during her phone hookup at yesterday's NY Track Writers lunch (Which is where the story originated)
