Kevin Hunt Video

Say what you want about the spectacle of the TV and Web coverage of the Little League World Series – that’s a post for another day.

But I spent some time this afternoon watching a game on ESPN from the LLWS. Not only is the event getting great coverage from ESPN’s broadcasts – with great HD camera work and production elements (like the player introductions, highlight montages and coaches wearing microphones) – but the LLWS also has a nice presence on the Web for its game coverage and highlights.

Besides its website, the LLWS has been covering the event and posting its videos regularly to its YouTube channel.

Here’s one well-produced ESPN montage in particular that gives you a taste of the talent that’s hard at work at those games:

ESPN also is posting updates to its site here. And, on ESPN360.com.

What a great use of video, and what a way to set the standard for how an event that big can be covered with digital media. Even with all those tactics, there are even more methods they could have considered, blogs, giving the kids cameras, etc…

The great thing is it’s not just about the event. It’s about the kids and coaches on the field, and showcasing their experience of getting there and competing (and the parents and fans cheering them on in the bleachers!).

As a side note, I mentioned off the top that ESPN has some of the coaches wearing microphones in the dugouts and on the field. As a coach myself, in several sports, I think those interactions are priceless to include in the TV broadcasts. One coach simply telling a pitcher, “Forget about it, it happened, you’ve gotta move past it.” Proving the teams that get to the LLWS need the right coaches to prepare them for the games, and for life.

Now, ESPN might be choosing to show only the positive, encouraging stuff but I’d like to believe they have a lot more of those moments to choose from that anything remotely negative. I’d like to think that at that level you don’t find many jerks coaching those teams. I hope the jerks are smart enough to tell ESPN “No thanks” if they’re asked to wear a mic.

Again, the real purpose of this post is to give kudos to the video talent on display at the Little League World Series and get you thinking about ways to promote and market an event from your group or business, big or small.