What’s that? Sideline reporters need to be heard

TV CONTINUES to present mostly useless sideline reporters, even when we can’t hear them. Does anyone perform sound checks or anticipate music and crowd noise before going on the air?

Saturday on TBS, Lauren Shehadi’s report on the Astros’ Chas McCormick went mostly unheard.

Also, Saturday, in the open to Syracuse-Clemson, ABC/ESPN “threw it down” to Molly McGrath. Couldn’t hear a word she said.

➤ Ray Ferraro, analyst on ESPN’s Avs-Rangers, Tuesday, remains a foresighted, concise, nogimmicks interesting listen. And he looks a lot like Doc Emrick.

➤ SNY may claim to be “The Home of New York Sports,” but its deals with UConn prove otherwise. SNY’s reports on Big East basketball media day included interviews with UConn coaches Danny Hurley and Geno Auriemma, but no one from St. John’s or Seton Hall.

➤ Love those mindless expressions such as the one heard Saturday from Todd Blackledge. Syracuse QB, Garrett Shrader , he said, because he transferred from Mississippi St., “Plays with a chip on his shoulder.” That chip was perhaps dislodged on the next play, when Shrader was sacked.

➤ There’s no fooling reader David Oniffrey; he recognizes clutch stats when he sees them. Yep, what would the Phils have done if not for the “hold” credited to David Robertson in Game 5 vs. San Diego: one-third of an inning, two walks.

➤ Take it as you will NFL message on Fox, during Sunday’s Giants-Jags: As Jacksonville was being flagged for too many men on the field, the message on the back of a Jag’s helmet appeared. It read, “Inspire Change.” Too late.

➤ By the way, if you can find action on the number of crowd shots Fox presents during every World Series telecast, take the Over. Greedy? Parlay it with sleep before the eighth inning.