THE STORY BEHIND ASPNHD
Where Passion Meets Purpose
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 over 40 years, producing and directing coverage of all major sports including semi-pro baseball and the highest level of amateur baseball in the Boston area.
Aside from working in television, Arlen's passion is coaching youth baseball—something he's been doing for five decades in Brookline, MA. In fact, it's through coaching that sparked Arlen's dream to create ASPNHD.
The Roots: Playing for the Orioles
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.
The Vision: A Moment on the Hill
[Arlen overlooking Amory Field]
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 over 40 years, producing and directing coverage of all major sports including semi-pro baseball and the highest level of amateur baseball in the Boston area.
Aside from working in television, Arlen's passion is coaching youth baseball—something he's been doing for five decades in Brookline, MA. In fact, it's through coaching that sparked Arlen's dream to create ASPNHD.
The Roots: Playing for the Orioles
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.
The Vision: A Moment on the Hill
[Arlen overlooking Amory Field]
He was totally passionate right from the beginning. By incorporating his passion for coaching with 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
The Journey: From Dream to Reality
{Outside Cablevision Office}
"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
The Journey: From Dream to Reality
{Outside Cablevision Office}
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 a suit and tie with briefcase in hand and headed over to the local access station 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 who could assist. She was supportive of my idea, and eventually my vision became 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. In the late 90s, I had to put the coverage on hold as my parents became ill, I was working more hours, and of course still coaching—though I NEVER lost sight of my dream for the kids." — Arlen
ASPNHD Today: The Vision Realized
After years of professional broadcasting experience—including work at Cablevision/AT&T Broadband/Comcast, coverage of the Yawkey Baseball League, and countless youth sports productions—Arlen brought his vision back at the level he'd always imagined.
Today, ASPNHD offers professional broadcast coverage ranging from dynamic single-camera productions with professional announcers to full multi-camera broadcasts with instant replays, complete graphics packages, and professional production crews. Every package is designed to create that "larger-than-life moment" Arlen envisioned 40 years ago on that grassy hill overlooking Amory Field.
What started in Brookline has expanded to cover leagues, tournaments, and championship games throughout the region—bringing professional-quality sports broadcasting to youth and adult amateur athletes who deserve to have their moments captured with the same quality they see on TV.
The Heart Behind the Camera
Although Arlen doesn't have any kids of his own, in many 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—now celebrating 50 years with the same team he played for as a youth. The relationships built through coaching and broadcasting have resulted in lifelong bonds. Arlen has attended countless bar mitzvahs, served in wedding parties, and been invited to milestone family celebrations of former players and their families.
This family-oriented philosophy extends to every production. After every game, Arlen gathers players together to individually recognize each person's contributions—creating feel-good moments where everyone leaves feeling valued and appreciated.
The ASPNHD Promise
From that single camera in 1986 to today's professional broadcast packages, the mission remains the same: to give young athletes their moment in the spotlight, captured with artistry, professionalism, and heart.
Whether it's a single-camera mobile production with professional play-by-play or a full multi-camera broadcast with all the trimmings, every ASPNHD production is approached with the same care, attention, and passion that started on that grassy hill in 1985.
Your Game. Your Moment. Your story--told with 40 years of broadcast expertise and an artist's eye.
"That next day, I dressed up in a suit and tie with briefcase in hand and headed over to the local access station 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 who could assist. She was supportive of my idea, and eventually my vision became 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. In the late 90s, I had to put the coverage on hold as my parents became ill, I was working more hours, and of course still coaching—though I NEVER lost sight of my dream for the kids." — Arlen
ASPNHD Today: The Vision Realized
After years of professional broadcasting experience—including work at Cablevision/AT&T Broadband/Comcast, coverage of the Yawkey Baseball League, and countless youth sports productions—Arlen brought his vision back at the level he'd always imagined.
Today, ASPNHD offers professional broadcast coverage ranging from dynamic single-camera productions with professional announcers to full multi-camera broadcasts with instant replays, complete graphics packages, and professional production crews. Every package is designed to create that "larger-than-life moment" Arlen envisioned 40 years ago on that grassy hill overlooking Amory Field.
What started in Brookline has expanded to cover leagues, tournaments, and championship games throughout the region—bringing professional-quality sports broadcasting to youth and adult amateur athletes who deserve to have their moments captured with the same quality they see on TV.
The Heart Behind the Camera
Although Arlen doesn't have any kids of his own, in many 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—now celebrating 50 years with the same team he played for as a youth. The relationships built through coaching and broadcasting have resulted in lifelong bonds. Arlen has attended countless bar mitzvahs, served in wedding parties, and been invited to milestone family celebrations of former players and their families.
This family-oriented philosophy extends to every production. After every game, Arlen gathers players together to individually recognize each person's contributions—creating feel-good moments where everyone leaves feeling valued and appreciated.
The ASPNHD Promise
From that single camera in 1986 to today's professional broadcast packages, the mission remains the same: to give young athletes their moment in the spotlight, captured with artistry, professionalism, and heart.
Whether it's a single-camera mobile production with professional play-by-play or a full multi-camera broadcast with all the trimmings, every ASPNHD production is approached with the same care, attention, and passion that started on that grassy hill in 1985.
Your Game. Your Moment. Your story--told with 40 years of broadcast expertise and an artist's eye.