Networks Still Run From Track and Field

Mike Penner’s commentary “Track and Field, TV Has a Problem With You” [Aug. 13] accurately described the “ratings dog” treatment ABC accorded the recently concluded World Track and Field Championships, and ABC’s awkward coordination of coverage with its affiliate ESPN2. As a longtime track and field fan, I was disappointed that ABC chose to air the Daytona stunt pilots rather than coverage of the men’s 400-meter relay, particularly because the U.S. and Russian teams were in a tight battle in the overall team standings at the time.

But Penner failed to mention what was perhaps an even worse snub than the “Heidi” treatment that ABC dished out. ESPN2’s track and field coverage--advertised on ABC’s telecast as picking up where ABC was leaving off--was preempted half an hour past its scheduled time so ESPN2 could stay with extra innings of a Southeast Region Little League game.

While it is simply incredible that the best pure athletes in the world continually get bumped by air shows and Little League games, I take solace in the fact that surely the situation has bottomed out and interest in track and field in this country has nowhere to go but up. One hopes, at least.

William Johnson

Los Angeles