NBC Sports Philadelphia revealed a new scorebug for Philadelphia Phillies broadcasts on Sunday, sparking the usual wave of complaints. Any time a network modifies its scorebug, fans take notice, as seen with the backlash Fox Sports faced after their new scorebug during Super Bowl LIX.
However, this change is particularly significant for some fans because it marks the end of one of the strangest phenomena in sports: The “POOP Series.” This term refers to the annual games between the Phillies and their cross-state rivals, the Pittsburgh Pirates. The previous NBC Sports Philadelphia scorebug featured a playful design for scoreless games, resembling this:
At Station House Sports Bar in Lancaster watching my @Phillies and Pirates in the Pa “PooP” game. Having a Rusty Rail Brewery All Good Hazy IPA pic.twitter.com/I4kMfYkX98
— 💯Lee Vivian💯 (@LeeVivi1958) July 20, 2024
The new scorebug has officially put an end to the quirky POOP Series. As fans have noted on social media, while there are minimal complaints regarding the scorebug’s design, many lament the loss of the fun associated with POOP games. Local media outlets have reported on the outcry, highlighting the mixed reactions:
A look at the new @NBCSPhilly baseball scorebug for the @Phillies 2025 season. pic.twitter.com/2PAmMUDu6i
— JoshMRadio 🎙️🎧 (@JoshMRadio) February 23, 2025
NBC Sports Philadelphia’s new scorebug is killing Phillies-Pirates Poop series 🙁 pic.twitter.com/xb7qUDIkwQ
— Kevin Eusebio • ᜃᜒᜊᜒᜅ᜔ ᜌᜓᜐᜒᜊ᜔ᜌᜓ (@kevineusebio) February 23, 2025
NBC Sports Philly changed their score bug and we’ll never have another ‘POOP’ game again
End of an erapic.twitter.com/EQIb14qhh3
— Barstool Philly (@BarstoolPhilly) February 24, 2025
THIS IMPLIES THE DESTRUCTION OF THE POOP GAME
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
SO LONG SWEET PRINCE 💔 https://t.co/TLw44wrriW pic.twitter.com/P7FEis4tBB
— Philly Sports Sufferer (@mccrystal_alex) February 23, 2025
These complaints can be classified under “first world problems.” Phillies fans will likely adapt to the new scorebug in no time.
