...THE STORY BEHIND ASPNHD
ASPNHD was created as a vehicle to showcase the skills of our youth in sports; to give them a chance to have a larger than life moment.
The architect and creator, Arlen Showstack, has worked in the field of television production for 30 years, and produced & directed coverage of all major sports including semi-pro baseball.
Aside from working in television, Arlen’s passion is coaching youth baseball and has been doing so for the past 4 decades in Brookline, MA. In fact it’s through coaching that sparked Arlen’s dream to create ASPNHD.
Arlen’s affiliation with Brookline Youth Baseball dates back to 1971, when he played in the Instructional League. Arlen went on to play at the Minors level; then eventually moved up to the Majors and played for the Orioles. All through his playing days, his father, Nathan “Pops” Showstack, was his coach and inspiration. During the Spring of 1976, although 12 years of age at the time, Arlen was considered a 13 year old according to Little League rules, and as a result, not eligible to play at the Major League level that Spring. Instead of moving up to the next level of play (the Pony League), Arlen chose to assist his father with the Orioles. The two went on to coach the Orioles together for over two decades.
“They were the best years of my life”, said Arlen.
He was totally passionate right from the beginning. By incorporating his passion for coaching along with that of television production, ASPNHD was formed.
ASPNHD was created as a vehicle to showcase the skills of our youth in sports; to give them a chance to have a larger than life moment.
The architect and creator, Arlen Showstack, has worked in the field of television production for 30 years, and produced & directed coverage of all major sports including semi-pro baseball.
Aside from working in television, Arlen’s passion is coaching youth baseball and has been doing so for the past 4 decades in Brookline, MA. In fact it’s through coaching that sparked Arlen’s dream to create ASPNHD.
Arlen’s affiliation with Brookline Youth Baseball dates back to 1971, when he played in the Instructional League. Arlen went on to play at the Minors level; then eventually moved up to the Majors and played for the Orioles. All through his playing days, his father, Nathan “Pops” Showstack, was his coach and inspiration. During the Spring of 1976, although 12 years of age at the time, Arlen was considered a 13 year old according to Little League rules, and as a result, not eligible to play at the Major League level that Spring. Instead of moving up to the next level of play (the Pony League), Arlen chose to assist his father with the Orioles. The two went on to coach the Orioles together for over two decades.
“They were the best years of my life”, said Arlen.
He was totally passionate right from the beginning. By incorporating his passion for coaching along with that of television production, ASPNHD was formed.
Arlen’s vision started in 1985.
“I got down to the field earlier than normal for one of our games. It was over at Amory field in Brookline. As I sat on the grassy hill that overlooked the baseball diamond, I remember thinking to myself, if I were a child and still playing, what would I want more than anything? And what came to mind is I’d want our games to be televised so we could be the stars and have our moment” - Arlen
At that time, Arlen had no experience in television whatsoever, but what he did have was passion and a dream, and he was driven.
“That next day, I dressed up in suit and tie with briefcase in hand and headed over to the local access station over at Brookline Community, now known as Brookline Access Television. I met with the Executive Director and told her of my vision to produce coverage of BYB games. I explained that although I lacked experience, I had friends within the field that could assist. She was supportive of my idea, and eventually my vision had become reality. We started coverage that Spring with just a single camera and 2 announcers. The coverage lasted 15 years. And although it was exciting and rewarding on all accounts, I had a much larger vision for the coverage. In the late 90’s, I had to put the coverage on hold as my parents became ill, I was working more hours and of course coaching - though I NEVER lost sight of my dream for the kids. Now I’m at the point in my life that I want to bring the coverage back, at the larger level that I had envisioned.” - Arlen
ASPNHD will professionally broadcast and stream BYB games in HD, utilizing multiple cameras, instant replays, full Graphics and Professional Announcers to create that larger than life moment for our youth that Arlen envisioned 30 years ago.
Brookline will be the starting point; though the long term plan is to expand coverage to other leagues, and cities within the region.
Although Arlen doesn’t have any kids, in some ways the players become his kids. He’s always lived by the motto, “Once an Oriole, always an Oriole”. To this day, Arlen is still coaching the Orioles and looking to build onto their dreams.
“I got down to the field earlier than normal for one of our games. It was over at Amory field in Brookline. As I sat on the grassy hill that overlooked the baseball diamond, I remember thinking to myself, if I were a child and still playing, what would I want more than anything? And what came to mind is I’d want our games to be televised so we could be the stars and have our moment” - Arlen
At that time, Arlen had no experience in television whatsoever, but what he did have was passion and a dream, and he was driven.
“That next day, I dressed up in suit and tie with briefcase in hand and headed over to the local access station over at Brookline Community, now known as Brookline Access Television. I met with the Executive Director and told her of my vision to produce coverage of BYB games. I explained that although I lacked experience, I had friends within the field that could assist. She was supportive of my idea, and eventually my vision had become reality. We started coverage that Spring with just a single camera and 2 announcers. The coverage lasted 15 years. And although it was exciting and rewarding on all accounts, I had a much larger vision for the coverage. In the late 90’s, I had to put the coverage on hold as my parents became ill, I was working more hours and of course coaching - though I NEVER lost sight of my dream for the kids. Now I’m at the point in my life that I want to bring the coverage back, at the larger level that I had envisioned.” - Arlen
ASPNHD will professionally broadcast and stream BYB games in HD, utilizing multiple cameras, instant replays, full Graphics and Professional Announcers to create that larger than life moment for our youth that Arlen envisioned 30 years ago.
Brookline will be the starting point; though the long term plan is to expand coverage to other leagues, and cities within the region.
Although Arlen doesn’t have any kids, in some ways the players become his kids. He’s always lived by the motto, “Once an Oriole, always an Oriole”. To this day, Arlen is still coaching the Orioles and looking to build onto their dreams.