6.30.2011: Just a matter or time...

Heartbeat of the Team: Unfortunate loss last night. You hate giving up early leads. Combining a bunch of factors--first game since Thorpe injury, first game of the series, getting ahead 3-0 of a team that had lost three straight, and many more--that would have been a great win to have.

The hitting is improving. No one will ever complain about 12 hits. It's the timely hitting that's still been inconsistent. Later today I am going to take a look at the team's strikeout numbers compared with runners on base compared to other team's in the league. It just seems that we strikeout a lot with runners on base, especially in scoring position, and less than 2 outs.

I personally thought Blair Walters looked very good after the first three batters of the game. He settled down, worked well inside and outside, and was throwing multiple pitches for strikes. He made one mistake.

The injury to Randall Thorpe certainly hurts the team. Batting average aside, he has been a fixture on the base paths and based on his four steals in five attempts, it seems like he is taking steps in the right direction from being a just a guy with great speed to becoming a base stealer.

Crazy start to Kevin Vance's professional career as he has struck out the side in each of the first three innings he has pitched.

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The players and coaches get talked about bunch but the two other men that make up the team staff, Tim Rodmaker (Strength Training and Conditioning) and James Kruk (Athletic Trainer) do not get credit for the hard work and long hours they put in. "Timmy" is always working with the players and it isn't like they all show up at a certain time and do the same thing, he has various programs for various players at various times that he has to keep up with. James, other than taking care of the players, is also the team's traveling secretary, arranging all the little things that people do not think about. Together, they have been great to me and have been two guys I have become close to since arriving. I appreciate how they have taken me in...

Timmy has a special message he wanted to deliver for a special person:

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I love having the opportunity to talk to broadcasters and to pick their brain. Whether its someone established or not, it is great exchanging tricks of the trade and tips. I had an opportunity today to talk to Ken Wilson today and he was so generous with his time and I learned so much from him. Ken is a well established broadcaster, formerly with the St. Louis Blues and has done baseball for several years as well, currently with the Mariners. We talked about story telling and techniques and such. It was truly neat.

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06.27.2011: Walking Off a Slump

Great way to snap the skid yesterday afternoon! Walk off wins are always fun to be a part of. I remember last year with the team I was with, I botched the first walk off call I had...That's always an awful feeling as a broadcaster, when you botch a big play that helps define the game. I still haven't forgiven myself for spacing out on the Patino HR the other day.

I am really happy for Martin. He is a good kid who, as he identified in the interview which will air during the pre-game show today, was frustrated with his struggles at the plate for the first few games.

In my conversations with the guys when discussing their offensive successes through the first few games, they are always quick to give credit to hitting coach, Gary Ward, and I think that says it a lot. It isn't like they are giving me an answer and then saying, "Oh, and I need to give credit to Gary Ward." They say it right off the bat, whether its a mechanical adjustment or a simple message to help them with the mental side. Gary wasn't initially supposed to come here but I think these hitters are very fortunate that he did.

On the bus right now to Helena as I write this. Some pretty neat views as I look out to my right...

In case anyone was wondering about the bus dynamic, its pretty fun and relaxed. Jerry Benoit is the captain of the ship sitting up front. The first three rows on either side are occupied by staff. On the left side, Brian Drahman (Pitching Coach) occupies the first row, with Tim Rodmaker (S&C) in the row behind him--sleeping, currently--and James Kruk (Trainer) behind him. On the right side is Ryan Newman (manager), Gary Ward (Hitting Coach), and myself, which positions me across from Kruk. We have a pretty good time up front. Most of the players share a row with someone. A lot of them rest, listen to music, and some of them read. Scott Snodgress is currently reading Tony Dungy's most recent book.

We usually watch movies on the trip and I think I established myself as the movie provider. I love movies and have a collection of around 200 (Building it back up after having my collection stolen a few years back). While I provide the options, I do not dare make the choices on my own. A roundtable up front agrees on a selection and we take requests from the back.

Gonna take a bit of a rest myself while listening to a recording of Jerry Howarth, voice of the Blue Jays--one of the best there is in my book.

Let's make it two, today!

06.25.2011: Inside the Dugout and Opening Night

Tough way to kick off the home schedule in front of huge crowd. It isn't as much the fact that we lost that was tough, as it was the way we lost. After waiting over nine months for Voyagers baseball to return to Centene Stadium, fans witnessed a game just barely over 2 hours that included a grand total of three runs, two Voyagers hits, and one kind of rally in the bottom of the ninth--by the way, for those in attendance, was Q safe in the ninth? A combo of pitchers retired 14 Voyagers in a row after the Osprey took the lead.If we were going to go down in our home opener, it would have been nice to put up a stronger fight. Not that the team didn't play hard--they did. They played great defensively, they just haven't swung the sticks well for the last two games. It happens. They'll snap out of it and when they do, it will be fun to watch.

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So, I got the Flipcam. Thank you to my brothers, Darryn and Jason, as it was graduation present! I shot my first interview with it as below we have our second installment of the Inside the Dugout series, with today's subject: Kevin Vance. Leave it to me, though, to leave to plastic strip that protects the lens on the camera, so I apologize for the blurriness (also, if you are a blogging savant and want to help me in figuring out how to allow the video to fit, I'd appreciate it!)

Yesterday was an incredibly long and stressful day. I want to tip my hat to the entire Voyagers office staff for the hard work they put in working towards tonight's game. Everyone worked their butt off for tonight--gameday staff included--but no one worked as hard as Kattie, Scott, Erik, Ryan, Greg, and Billy and his grounds crew.

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Great crowd last night. A few stopped me as I was walking around and introduced themselves or offered some compliments. It is always really neat meeting fans and, for the five people reading this, if I haven't met you, please introduce yourself as I am walking around!

It was nice to call a game from the home perch, but with the fast pace of the pre-game chaos and the fast pace of the game, I didn't feel like I ever settled down. I blinked once and the game was over. Tomorrow should be much smoother on all fronts.

I am slowly starting to decorate my radio booth. If I am going to spend significant time in a particular room, I am not one to just leave it be. Already hung up is the Dallas Morning News the morning after one of the most special moments of my life--the Dallas Mavericks NBA Championship victory. I plan on adding some pictures and maybe a memorabilia item or two for the summer.

It was also nice meeting the Gentlemen of the Press Box. Starting last year, I made it a tradition to give each staff member of the Press Box a pre-game handshake and I restarted that tradition last night. I hope we all bond as the season progresses and hopefully we can do it while witnessing winning baseball for the Voyagers.

Between going to sleep at around 3:30am after coming back from Billings to the chaos of yesterday, I was wiped out.

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06.23.2011: What A Finish

I was not planning on writing something today but I feel compelled to after last night's game. Not because it was an exciting Voyagers win, but because I think we learned a decent amount from the performance.

1. After losing 17-1, the team came back ready to go and struck early. I am not going to overreact and suggest this means that this proves they are an incredibly resilient team or anything, but, for now, I am taking it for what it is: a night after being embarrassed they came back ready to play.

2. Jarrett Casey's changeup was virtually unhittable last night. Through three games, his changeup has been the best individual pitch I've seen over the course of more than just an inning.

3. Mark Haddow is a gamer. If you stand next to him and then watch him take BP, its easy to know the talent is there, but not everyone with talent is a gamer. In the eighth inning he made a valiant attempt, diving for a line drive. He did not make the catch, it got past him, and it was a part of a two run inning for Billings, cutting their deficit to four. As the cliche goes, baseball is a funny game. With two outs in the bottom of the ninth, the tying run at first, and the winning run at the plate, Robert Maddox (Billings) hit a slicing line drive to the left field corner. Haddow chased after it and made a highlight reel catch with a half-dive, half-lunge to save the game. If he does not make the catch the game is tied and momentum is heavily in favor of Billings. To make that big of a play, an inning after simply misjudging a ball on his diving attempt, Haddow made the biggest play of the game. A split second of hesitation or the slightest bit of uncertainty and that play is not made. A huge part of this game is about how you respond to failure or adversity. I learned that Mark Haddow responds very well in these situations and I'd have to believe it will play a huge role in whatever success he achieves.

Time to win a series tonight. 7:05 first pitch

@j_sandler

radio@gfvoyagers.com

sandlerj1@gmail.com

06.22.2011: It's 0-0...for now

The offense in this league has been crazy. What's scary is our 17-1 defeat was by no means the worst of the evening as Orem defeated Casper 23-1, one day after Ogden beat Idaho Falls 20-0.

Nothing really went right, last night. Not much more to say about it. No reason to over-analyze just 2 games in. In a 76 game season, every team is bound to have a night like the Voyagers did last night.

What will be telling about tonight is how the team responds.

That's about all I have. Not trying to be a homer and not write a ton after a loss, just got some prep I need to do and, like I said, not much you can say about last night.

06.21.2011: A Special Night For All...

What a night! Great win to start off the season and man, did the game have some fireworks. Congrats to the three rooks in the starting lineup, all of whom had a special evening. That's certainly a special moment for Mark, David, and Joe. Congrats to Ryan Newman for his first win as the Great Falls manager. Congrats to Peter Gehle, getting the win in his first professional start.

Take a look here as Mark, David, and Joe sit down and talk about their debuts (Their sound is low, but I promise the flipcam is coming soon which will make it all better!):

Tough to truly assess last night. There were moments of great promise with the lineup. Peter Gehle did a solid job in his first start and you'd have to imagine it will only become more comfortable for him. Defensively, things got a bit sloppy on both ends. Its not often you will win with 3 errors but the pitching bailed the team out.

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Last night was neat for me too. I didn't anticipate getting as nervous as I did right before broadcast. There is certainly work to be done and we will figure it out for you, but we got on air, stayed on air, and that's a victory in itself. Excited for the games to come as the nerves subside. But, at the end of the day, I called my first professional baseball game and it was a pretty special game with one pretty special call.

Three home runs are great and seeing Pat Kelly erupt the way he did was entertaining. More importantly, its always great to call a win for your team, but, while all of that is neat, something more specific stood out making last night so special.

Four years ago I walked into the baseball offices at USC, seeing if there was a shot to get a walk on tryout. When then-head coach Chad Kreuter saw me (I am 5'7" on a good day, 5'9" on my driver's license for some reason), I don't think he saw a USC baseball player standing before him. I never got the tryout--which never bugged me--and he offered me the position of team manager. I was the only one and served as the head team manager for four years. That decision shaped so much of my college experience.

With the USC baseball team, I found a family. The team had cliques but I felt I was friends with everyone. I always felt a connection to my class because I spent the most time with them. Of everyone on the team, Joe De Pinto was my closest friend. I can't tell you how excited I was when he was drafted by the White Sox and then assigned to Great Falls.

I have always taken great pride in the accomplishments of my close friends, bragging about what they are doing--whether big or small--to whoever wants to listen. I am really proud of my friends, especially those who I know have worked and still work tirelessly towards a dream, which is probably why this specific instance made my debut so special.

The three home runs, the ejection, the win...all great. But what made my broadcast so special and one I'll always remember was getting to call a simple well hit ground ball placed perfectly inside the bag at third that rolled into the left field corner for a double--Joe De Pinto's first professional hit.

06.20.2011: Opening Day!

Big day today! I am a combination of several emotions right now. On top of that, I am looking forward to a nice night's sleep. I haven't had one of those in a while.

Today, for several of the players, is the beginning of their professional journey. For others, its the continuation. I fall under the former of the two categories.

My unofficial broadcasting experience started when I was probably 7 or 8, playing a video game and imitating the people I heard on TV/Radio, talking my way through the action. I honestly had no clue what I was doing--I didn't actually realize it was feeding into an undiscovered passion of mine. Flash forward several years later. It was the Spring of 2007. It was time for me to make my college decision. Do I go to a smaller school and continue to play baseball? Or, do I go somewhere with a focus on journalism?

Ultimately, I decided to take the journalistic route. Trust me, if I could still play baseball, I would, but it was the more practical move. I settled on USC over other more established programs because at those programs I would be thrown into a pool of other broadcasting candidates who had more years of actual experience. I played sports throughout high school and, before college, had never actually done an official broadcast. Now, don't get me wrong. It was not shying away from competition. I just knew that I needed to get on air right away, and I knew that opportunity existed at USC. I could not afford to wait 3 years to broadcast a game.

Upon deciding USC was the place for me, I immediately put in calls to people attached to the broadcasting program. I got my name out there, but was promised nothing.

Flash forward a few more months. Its August. I am going through the overwhelming process of moving into college for the first time. Trying to get settled. Adjusting to life on my own. Bam, I get a call from the Sports Director at the time, with whom I had previously spoke, and he asked if I could broadcast a USC-Duke Volleyball game as the intended broadcaster was sick. Without hesitation, I accepted. I crammed my prep, go to the Galen Center for the game, called it, and afterwards thought I was the best broadcaster ever. I got the game on my computer and I will tell you that that was some of the worst broadcasting of all-time. I was terrible. Whenever I am feeling good about myself, I will watch a bit of that game to keep myself grounded. Either way, I got my start. A few weeks, I called my first football game--USC vs. Arizona. A few months later, my first basketball game. And then the following Spring, my first baseball game.

Tonight is my debut broadcasting professional baseball. Today will be a special day for me--a day I will look back at with fond memories. I have moved on to a higher level since that first volleyball game I called. I am much better broadcaster since then. I hope, after tonight's game, I feel like the best broadcaster in the world, only to have the opportunity several years from to be at an even high level and to go back, listen to the tape of tonight's game and laugh as I realize how much I have since improved.

I am ready for the journey to begin.

Small picture video of the 2011 Voyager Blast

Hot Sports Opinion: Golf. I love golf. I want to get back into it as a player. i can watch golf all day long though. It's so relaxing. I love sports like golf and tennis where its on you. You compete as an individual. You versus the field, yourself, the weather--however you want to classify it. I find that level of competition so unique. It makes winning so special, but also, losing so tough. Especially when it happens the way it happened to Jean Van De Velde at the British years back. Or, more recently, how it happened to Rory McIlroy at the Masters in April. Whether its a team sport or an individual sport, it makes me uneasy when it is clear that an individual player cost himself/his team a victory. I always a team/a player to win a game/match rather than a team/a player lose it. And in an individual sport like golf, it's so tough measure how someone can come back after a meltdown.

I am really happy to see Rory McIlroy win the U.S. Open. He is a great talent, but there have been special talents marred by a major letdown. We see it in baseball all the time, or, at least, talk about it. When a young pitcher or a young hitter gets released into the wild too early, struggles, and can't deal with it. Maybe that player would never have made it anyway, but you never know.

Rory McIlroy will be special. Yesterday, he was a great talent, but the way he was able to rebound from his Master's collapse, stare adversity in the eye and WIN, is unique and it shows that "it" factor that makes great players, special. Rory McIlroy is special.

Follow Me on Twitter: @j_sandler

Email me: sandlerj1@gmail.com

06.19.2011: Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to all, especially to my father, Alan, and my brother, Jason, who is enjoying his second official Father's Day since the birth of his almost 16-month old son--my nephew--Chase.

I am not shy to admit that my dad, Alan, is my hero. A professional soccer player from South Africa, my father, in many ways, sacrificed his dreams for the sake of our family, to ensure our safety and well being. He is someone who, in my mind, lives his life for his family.

When my parents got divorced, whether I was staying with my mom or my dad, my dad--or, "daddy" as I still call him--would always take me to school. And once I got a car, my morning would always start would a phone call to my father, something I still do to this day. I could not imagine a day that did not start with my father, in some way, shape, or form. I am very lucky to have him in my life.

Keeping it short for today but I hope you enjoy the below video. It's the first installment of the 'Inside the Dugout' series, which allows you to get to know the players a little bit better. The first subject? Returning first baseman: Leighton Pangilinan.

06.18.2011: Just Two Days Away!

The Voyager Blast is today starting at 4:00pm going until 6:00pm, with an open practice starting immediately afterwards. It is going to be a great event. It's free. There's food, games, and tons of fun as you get introduced to the 2011 Great Falls Voyagers.

Speaking of meeting the Voyagers, let's hear from one of the returning Voyagers, Michael Earley, as I had a chance to speak to him yesterday:

Michael is currently one of 31 players on the roster. Let's take a look at this year's team, By the Numbers.

There are...

-18 pitchers, 3 catchers, 6 infielders, and 4 outfielders

-12 right handed pitchers and six left handed pitchers, while zero are undecided

-13 position players that throw right handed, while not a single position player throws left handed

-10 position players who bat right handed, 2 who bat left handed (Pangilinan, Tanner) and 1 switch hitter (Millender)

-2 pitchers who had qualifying batting averages over .300 while at college (Vance, .322; McMillen, .354)

-2 players who turned pro with an organization other than the White Sox (Bachanov, Angels; Jacquot, Mariners)

-5 returning 2010 Voyagers (Gehle, McCray, Pangilinan, Earley, Thorpe; plus Salvador Sanchez from the 2007 team)

-an additional 9 players who, while new to Great Falls, were with the White Sox organization in 2010

-16 players who are fresh out of college

-5 players who are from a college with California (with a chance of up to 3 more, depending on if the 3 players from Cal still in the CWS sign and if they do, where they are assigned)

-2 American-born players who did not attend college (Bachanov, Pangilinan)

-4 players who are listed below 6'0" (Gulbransen, McCray, Patino, Millender)

-12 players who are listed above 6'2"

-4 players who are listed above 6'5" (tallest: Sam Phippen, 6'9")

-4 players born in January

-0 players born in February (1 coach: Ryan Newman)

-5 players born in March

-4 players born in April

-(is) 1 player born in May

-(is) 1 player born in June

-2 players born in July

-(is) 1 player born in August

-4 players born in September

-3 players born in October

-4 players born in November

-3 players born in December

-(is) 1 player born in 1985 (Salvador Sanchez)

-8 players born in 1987

-8 players born in 1988

-9 players born in 1989

-3 players born in 1990

-2 players born in 1991 (Leighton Pangilinan, who is 4 months older than Jerry Puentes)

-Players that reside in California (8), Texas (2), Florida (2), Illinois (2), Indiana (2), Missouri (2), Kentucky (1), Arizona (1), Wisconsin (1), Georgia (1), Ohio (1), Colorado (1), Nevada (1), Mississippi (1), Virginia (1), Alabama (1), Domincan Republic (1), Venezuela (1), Panama (1)

This is your Opening Day Roster Breakdown.

Hot Sports Opinion: My mind is still too high up on cloud nine to generate an analytical and interesting sports opinion. The Mavericks Championship is still front and center on my mind. I have spent so much time watching videos, reading articles, and just rejoicing in their victory. Such a special moment for a fan, especially when you've been a fan through rough (re: losing) times, and even more so than that when its your own city. A very well respected long time sports radio host in Dallas put it great when he said that: "In my years as a sports fan, I have not had a happier moment than seeing Dirk Nowitzki win a championship." It's ironic how much the celebration and the praise has focused on him and how deserving he is for someone who is so team-oriented and strays away from the individual spotlight.

06.15.2011: Working Towards the Season

Sleep has been hard to come by recently. So little time and so many players to prepare for towards this season's broadcasts. I admit that I tend to over-prepare and its something I need to learn to cut down on, although I'd much rather be on that side than under-preparing. It's not just me, though. The entire staff is working hard, completing thankless tasks, and getting down and dirty to get everything ready for the season. I got here 2 weeks ago, but I think General Manager Kattie Swartz said it best when addressing the team today, explaining how excited everyone is when she stated: "We, as a staff, have been working for nine months to make baseball possible and the season is just around the corner!"

Tonight, the work continues, as the staff is dedicating their post-work hours towards making sure everything is in order with the concessions. And thinking about ballpark food and concession stands is just making me hungry. I am a big fan of ballpark food. Whenever I go to a new sports venue, I always try and order the food item that is unique to that venue or that city.

Anyway...starting to get to know the players and the staff. I sat down with Ryan Newman, the manager, today and talked about the upcoming season and his experience growing up around baseball.

So much work to do before the season. More to come soon.

06.14.2011: The Voyagers Are Here!

The Voyagers are here! The Voyagers are here! Workouts began yesterday with a partial team. Most of the faces you will see this season are here, though. There are some unsigned Sox whose whereabouts are unknown, plus a few that are still trickling in, but the first full practice began today at 11:30. Its an exciting time to be a part of the 2011 Voyagers, bu

t even more exciting for you fans! I will begin to profile players and bring you some multimedia stuff in the next few days once everyone gets settled.

I have gotten to know a few of the players as I have helped shuttling players from the airport to their temporary living arrangements until they move in with their host families. It is interesting picking their brain and kind of seeing what they are thinking as they get set to embark on the upcoming season.

The first player I met was Salvador Sanchez, the veteran of the team. If the name sounds familiar its because Salvador played here a few years back except this time, the tall righty who, according to "clubbie" Greg Pierce, hit one of the longest

balls he's ever seen, will be on the mound. He is switching from hitter to pitcher and starting back here at Great Falls. He has been here and done that. He is a seasoned minor leaguer, not nearly as green as some of the other players. What was really neat to was to hear him tell me how excited he was to see his host family, the same family that hosted him a few years ago. This is not a sales pitch by any means, but I think it is really special the relationships host families develop with players.

Yesterday I picked up a group of guys, all of whom are fresh out of college and getting set to begin their professional career. Understandably, they were much more curious about pretty much everything. This is a unique experience in more ways than one for all of them.

One of the players, Blake Drake, a reliever from Indiana State, had a loooong day. It was supposed to start early in the morning with an initial connecting flight during the 7 o'clock hour. A major delay, a few times of getting on and getting off the plane, and a lot of chaos then took place. Hours later, Blake found out he was not leaving until the 7 o'clock hour...in the PM. Eventually he gets on a flight and then another, arriving in Great Falls at 11:43 PM. Must be pretty tired, huh? You'd think he'd enjoy getting his bag and getting to a bed by 12:10 the latest. Nope. David Herbek, a shortstop from James Madison, was supposed to arrive at 11:49 PM--just a six minute wait, right? Yeah, it just wasn't Blake's day as David's plane was 31 minutes late. When all was said and done, the boys got to their hotels just shy of 1 AM. Maybe sleep in and get rested up for their first day with the team, right? Nope. Physicals. Had be up and ready to go at 7:15 AM...I am sure they are looking forward to a nap after today's practice.

I truly believe that life is all about the relationships you develop over time. I am excited to develop relationships with these players and the coaches. It is the people with whom your surround yourself with that define the lasting memories of a given experience, I believe. And its just a prediction, but I feel like I will have the oppor

tunity to form a close bond with several of the players, especially the ones, like me, who are

fresh out of college. Why? Well, we are all going through the same thing. While for them it is as a player and for me it is as a broadcaster, we are all beginning our professional pursuit of our dream. We are all experience post-college life for the first time, together. And let me tell you, it is a very surreal experience. In some ways this job, for me, has blocked of me of reality because I went straight from school right into this job. But I am not going back to school at the end of this. My time, and their time, is now.

The season is less than a week away...How exciting is that? I can't wait to get behind the mic. We are still working out some tech kinks but everything should be squared away come Monday night in Billings. Look out for some content in the next coming days.

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Funny Ron Artest video

LBJ-MJ Commercial

Great NBA Finals Game 6 Mini Movie

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Hot Sports Opinion of the Day: THE DALLAS MAVERICKS ARE THE 2011 NBA CHAMPIONS. I cannot fairly describe my actions, the emotions I felt, or the thoughts in my head as the time ticked down to zero. With about 2:00 left in the game I knew it was over. I have tweeted about it, talked about it so much to so many people. I am going to save you my sermon, but as a Mavericks fan since they were one of the worst franchises in sports, it was so special seeing them raise the trophy. And for Dirk, he is so deserving of all of the praise and the honor of being an NBA Champion. Below is some NBA Finals related content...

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06.08.2011: FANtastic

First, some funny broadcast calls from the last few days

USA v Canada Gold Cup

Cal Baseball comeback vs. Baylor

Plus, this funny video of Jimmy Kimmel's sidekick, Guillermo, conducting interviews at the NBA Finals..

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This summer is going to be new to me on a variety of levels. For one, its my first taste as a "professional" broadcaster. I now have to worry about bills and rent. And I also found out I have to cross state lines to get to the nearest Apple store. One of the biggest differences will be the dynamic between the Voyagers and the most important people a part of the Voyagers family: the fans. From what I have heard, I am joining a team that has one of the most loyal fan bases in the Pioneer League and to me that is AWESOME! I love passion, loyalty, and dedication.

To me, being a fan of your hometown team is very special. It is bigger than just giving the guy next to you a high five when your team scores a goal or hits a home run. Its taking pride in that team as it represents your community. I love how, in most cases in sports, a team's road jersey features its town, city, or state on the front as it ventures into unfamiliar territory.

Now, I am what you would call a "die-hard" fan for the teams I support. It does not mean I am better than fans of teams that are not "die hard," it just means I have nothing else better to do with my life while they are out saving the world. In all seriousness, as I just mentioned, I am a very passionate person and sports is a major passion so, put 'em together, and you get a die hard fan. Simple enough.

In the fall of the 2007 I left Dallas, TX to attend the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, CA. In my fours years at USC, I learned a lot about life, about myself, and about the Mayan Civilization between the years 250AD-900AD, or maybe I didn't learn about the Mayan's but more just how to convince (cough cough BS cough cough) a professor that I did...either way.

Dallas and Los Angeles are two proud sports cities. Texas and California are two proud states. Good writing suggests I should find a third relevant comparison but I am struggling to so, we will continue to my point...I was always a huge fan but, for a majority of my life up until that point, I had been surrounded by my fellow fans. The minute I left to go to Los Angeles I entered enemy territory as a much rarer breed. What I learned was the amount of pride that I have being a fan for the Mavericks and Stars, but also for Dallas; for the Rangers, but also for Texas. For me, there was always something special being a fan and representing your city or your state outside of that particular area. I love and respect fans and fandom, regardless of whether their rooting interests match up with mine. For me, I take pride in being from Dallas and from Texas and being a fan of my teams, Packers notwithstanding, is an extension of just that. It allows me to express my loyalty and a pride in a specific arena.

So, as I come to Great Falls and I hear about this strong fan-base and the love this town has for the Voyagers I cannot express my true excitement for that. And I hope that I get to meet just as many fans who are passionate about baseball--specifically, Voyagers baseball--as I do do fans who couldn't tell you the difference between a ground-rule double and a double switch but are simply passionate about Great Falls and the part of Great Falls that the Voyagers represent.

I believe that everyone needs a passion and everyone needs a source of pride. Beyond family, I have found this in sports. For as long as I live, I will always be a fan.

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I like to include random other things as a part of this blog, sometime it will be a "Hot Sports Opinion," a "Sports Prediction," or some kind of interactive multimedia, whether it does or does not relate to the team.

Today, I have a Hot Sports Opinion for you: I want to give a shoutout to this year's playoff darling, Dirk Nowitzki, but also to this season's villain, LeBron James for something they have in common that I really respect.

On the topic of fans..There is nothing better than sitting down at lunch with a bunch of friends and regurgitating every theory heard on the radio or on TV and adopting it as your own--it's ok...we all do it. One of the recurring discussions is that of the importance of a Championship to an individual player's legacy. Can a player go down as an all-time great--one of the game's elite--without a title? That's such a tough question to answer. Some players never get the chance. While other superstars get several great opportunities but fail to come through. It also depends on sport. Can an all-time great baseball player have the same impact as an all-time great basketball player? And position matters as well. I don't think anyone is holding it against Bruce Matthews, the Hall of Fame offensive lineman, for not winning a title, while several people are quick to point out that Dan Marino is ringless as well. Regardless of where you, as a fan, stand on this debate, I have always found it interesting how athletes respond to this debate.

Several athletes, from those I hear asked about it, balk at the idea that winning a championship completes their experience or, for the "elite" players, that it is a necessary component to validating their place among the greats of all-time. As I mentioned earlier, I think it is very difficult to judge the completeness of athlete's career based on whether or not they won a championship. However, as a fan, I want to think that all the athletes are so committed toward the team concept and winning a championship that, right or wrong, they believe that they need a championship to complete their career. And, honestly, I believe that several of them do. But, you never hear it. Why? I can't say for sure, but I feel like ego has something to do with it. If an athlete comes out and says, "Hey, there will be a hole in my career if I don't win a championship," then they are putting themselves out there with a chance of failing. So, what do Dirk and LeBron have in common, other than being phenomenal basketball players, they have each said (and they are not the only two), in public, that their career would not be complete without a championship. Be as critical of Dirk and LeBron as you wish for their perceived respective faults, specifically LeBron's arrogance, but I really respect each of them for saying that. You know that all real competitors feel that way, but they are too scared to admit it, yet these two superstars have outright said it. So say what you want about Dirk and Lebron, but all those guys want to do is win (Lebron would not have sacrificed his "legacy" by going to Miami to team up if he didn't) and they are not ashamed to admit the importance of winning, either. Call it minor, but I really respect that.

06.06.2012: Hitting the Ground Running

So, I decided to get this blog back up and running again.

First and foremost, I want to take this opportunity to informally introduce myself to Great Falls community and the fans of the Great Falls Voyagers. In advance, I'd like to thank you for allowing me into your homes and, more specifically, into your ears as I broadcast the games this summer. It is truly an honor and a privilege (not lip service, I genuinely mean this) to be a part of the Great Falls Voyagers organization.

Last summer I started blogging for the first time in my life as a broadcasted for the Brainerd Lakes Area Lunkers of the Northwoods League, a summer collegiate league similar to that of its more popular counterpart, the Cape Cod League. I have spent a majority of my life in two major cities: Dallas and Los Angeles, so I thought it would be neat to chronicle not only my first summer as a full-time broadcaster, but my first summer in a small-town. Alas, the blog.

Before I get headstrong into the blog, I'd thought I'd start out with my goals and some rules of the blog.

1. With the blog I will post my thoughts, opinions, and certainly the inside scoop and updates on the team from my own unique perspective as the radio voice. The blogs will include anecdotes and, once the players arrive, plenty of multimedia like interviews and pictures to help you get to know the team. I love communication and feedback and I hope for my blog to evoke discussion and banter.

2. Everything printed in this blog will be 100% honest. I will not sugarcoat anything or print anything I do not firmly believe. If I do not feel a point or a topic is appropriate, then I will simply not address it.

3. Why the name "Crunch Time" exactly? No deep, profound reason. I believe one of the best compliments and athlete can receive is earning the reputation of someone who plays his/her best or steps up in the biggest games and the biggest situations or...in Crunch Time.

4. I am not perfect and neither is my grammar. I am ADD so it was pretty much impossible for me to pay attention to all those grammar rules in 6th grade. Instead of taking notes on these rules, I perfected the art of bubble and block lettering.

And now, a bit of an introduction:

5. I am a die-hard sports fan and this extends well beyond the "major sports." To me, there is something special about competition--something special about having and a winner and a loser.

6. I am 22 years old from Dallas, TX and a proud recent graduate of the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, CA.

7. I am a first generation American. My parents, Alan and Sheryl, come from South Africa, though they have been in the US for over 30 years. My oldest brother, Darryn (34) was born in South Africa, while my other brother, Jason (32) was in just outside of New York. I consider my dad to be my hero and my brothers as my best friends. Of those not blood related, I consider my former classmate and teammate, Benjamin as my best friend--I bring this up only because both he and his family are very special people to me and have really impacted me. I am also lucky to have a loving step-mom, Frada, three step-siblings, Kim, Tracy, and Lonnie (all older, but within 5 years), and the best sister-in-law I could ask for, Amy. 15 months ago I became the proud Uncle of my Little Man, Chase David Sandler (son of Jason and Amy).

8. In no particular order, my true passions in life are sports, spending time with my family and truly close friends, and making people around me happy/seeing them smile.

9. My favorite teams: Texas Rangers, Dallas Mavericks, Dallas Stars, Green Bay Packers (There is a story behind this but I am not a bandwagon fan: I have been a fan since I can remember and certainly well before this past January, I have made the Lambeau Field pilgrimmage twice, and it isn't like the Cowboys were bad when I was growing up as they were a powerhouse in the 90's), the Tottenham Hotspurs, the USC Trojans, and, of course, every American's favorite team: USA.

10. I have had the biggest crush on Blake Lively since high school and I hope to meet her one day.

11. If you want to know a little bit more about me, check out the article written by Scott Mansch of the Great Falls Tribune:

I am going to leave it at this for now. I look forward to sharing my thoughts and experience with you all throughout the summer.

As I mentioned above, I encourage communication and feedback, especially if you have any suggestions or ideas for the direction of the blog. Feel free to reach me via email (sandlerj1@gmail.com) or at my Twitter (@j_sandler).