07.30.2011: Getting a Second Chance

Salvador Sanchez, to me, provides the neatest story on the team. Being around him everyday, Salvador is truly one of the most genuine, nicest people I have ever met. Back in Rookie Ball at age 25, Salvador is by no means where he envisioned himself when he first came up with the White Sox organization. I picked up "Sanchey" from the airport and I remember how much he impressed me during our conversation on the ride back. With the direction of the conversation, he had every opportunity to candidly complain or mope about being back in Great Falls, but, instead, all he could talk about was how excited he was to see his host family--the same family he stayed with in 2007--and excited he was at the opportunity. Not a single ounce of negativity in his sentiments and, to be honest with you, if anyone deserved a free pass to be upset, he was the guy. And his words were not just lip-service. Sanchey's been a leader on this team. One of the most loved guys in the clubhouse, he still talks to young hitters about their approach and serves as a "Big Brother" so Jeffer Patino, the lone other Latin-American player (and he did the same for Jerry Puentes while he was still here). I have had plenty of conversations with people a part of the White Sox organization--even those who specialize in an area that in no way, shape, or form involves Sanchey, but every one of them goes out of their way to speak highly of him.

In my position, you meet guys you like, you meet guys you don't like, and then you meet truly special young men. Salvador is a truly special young man.

Check out the story KFBB's Lindsey Thiry did on him...

07.29.2011: Inside the Dugout: Ryan Newman

07.24.2011: Update on the Stache Crew

Here they are. From L-R: Kevin Vance, Tim Rodmaker, and Stew Brase

Word on the street is that Joe Dvorsky, fresh off of his engagement, is going to join in on the fun...

Kinda Neat...

First...the background at Lindquist Field was recently voted best in pro baseball...

Also, the mountain range to the left of the above picture is the same range that represents the logo of Paramount Pictures....really neat

07.19.2011: It's Been A While

Ooooooook. So it's been a while since I kind of just scattershot a bunch of thoughts and such so, here it goes...

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First, the videos and the funny stuff: More funny next time...but this is still pretty good stuff...

Edward Mujica is caught sleeping!

Ndamukong Dancing

Dumb Sports Quotes

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One of the tough things as a broadcaster is you got to pick your spots on what comments to explain and elaborate on and what to just leave as is. Comments are interpreted differently by different people. Not everything you say is as cut and dry as: a routine ground ball to the shortstop Herbek, he plays it on a couple of hops and throws over to first for the out.

I have got to call it how I see it but, maybe this is just me being a 22 year-old who knows he has no skins on the wall, I am not about to use my platform to bash anyone. If someone is not playing well I have to identify it, but I am not going to sit there and rant about that player's struggles. I try, as best as I can, to put a positive spin on everything. And, I am lucky in that I have yet to have a parent voice anything other than positive towards me, but broadcasting to them has the potential of being very difficult. Because every parent is their son's (or daughter, in a different spot) biggest fan. And when their son strikes out or commits an error, they are not going to like what they hear. Hypothetically, you are broadcasting my hypothetical son's game and you say, Sandler chases wildly on the breaking ball out of the zone for the strikeout, I would hope I can translate that as: well, my son swung at a bad pitch and struck out and not as: the broadcaster just said that my son has no command of the zone and he is awful and he struck out because he swung at the worst pitch. That's

more rambling...back to the issue.

There has been a time this year when I made a comment about a player and immediately afterwards thought, wait a second, I wonder if someone might interpret it differently than how I meant it. So, what did I do? I immediately went to that player after the game and said, I said this, I meant it in this way, but I wonder if people might think of it differently. I just wanted to let you know that that is not at all how I intended for it to come across. Luckily, in that instance, I was wrong in my uncertainty of the interpretation, but if it became an issue I would make sure to address it on air if I felt necessary. Additionally, not that I make polarizing comments, but I make sure I am always available to the players in case they have a question about something I said, a right I feel like they have but, thankfully have not needed to exercise yet.

And to the point: I will not get into specifics because it is not relevant, but I made a comment on a recent broadcast that was totally misconstrued. Overhearing it, someone made mention of it to a person they thought it reflected poorly on and that person approached me. I was able to explain what I touched on above that, in making that comment I did not intend to reflect anything negative at all. Thankfully, that person and I had a very strong relationship before hand which was founded upon a mutual respect and the air was cleared. Unfortunately, I did not even consider that the comment had negative connotations so that person approached me first. Another good thing is that it did not i

nvolve a player, coach, or parent because those can be tricky. What I'd like to make clear to anyone who listens is this: If you have an issue with a comment I make or want clarification as to what I meant, please email me. radio@gfvoyagers.com. Understand this, though 22 and without skins, it is still my job to broadcast what I see and a lot of times, in addition to calling what I see, I need to explain why. Just because someone is unhappy, I cannot then lie about what is going on. But, I will never use my microphone to throw someone under the bus.

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First, the Great Falls Voyagers. The team has been playing much better. The addition of Keenyn Walker has added much-needed depth to the lineup. I think the offensive success the team has had since his arrival (the last three games against Orem notwithstanding), will rub off and carry forward even if he were to leave at some point to move upward within the organization.

One of the interesting quirks of the Pioneer League is the unbalanced schedule, half-to-half. In the first half we, along with Billings, play Orem and Ogden seven times each, while Missoula and Helena play Idaho Falls and Casper seven times each. Those matchups are then flip-flopped in the second half. But, with that being said, on paper, the teams that draw the Utah squads seem to be at a bit of a disadvantage as those two squads have clearly established themselves as the two superior teams in that division, whereas, up until the beginning of interdi

vision play, everyone was bunched together in the North.

Regardless, you still have to play the games and Missoula has gotten hot and they have established themselves as the team to beat with just ten games to go. Great Falls is not out of it, but having to battle with Helena and overtake Billings and Missoula will be tough considering almost all of the remaining first half schedule is against Ogden (4) and Orem (4, including tonight).

It isn't over. I wouldn't count any time that's just 3 games back with ten games to play out of any race, especially not this bunch, a very resilient group. But, regardless of what happens the rest of this half, I am very excited for the second half with, in my opinion and nothing factual, the team's played better baseball more consistently as the season has progressed.

Either way, ten games to go and an important one tonight. I am not sure how much home field plays a role at this level and in this particular league. I think home field in some cases is very overblown, but in others it isn't. It must be analyzed on a player-by-player, team-by-team, league-by-league, and maybe even sport-by-sport case basis. Still, to have a seven-game homestand, I would have to guess finishing above .500 is a goal. The team is 3-3 through six games and can not only avoid a three-game losing streak with a win tonight, but they can secure a winning record over the weeklong return home. Jarrett Casey is on the mound. Let's Get It!

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Two players are leaving today (or, will have left by the time you read this): J.C. Casey and Jerry Puentes. Let me give you a little brief on each as, in such a short time, I am not sure how exposed people were to either.

J.C. was an undrafted free agent signee. While I did not know him, I broadcasted for a team in a league he played in in the Northwoods League last summer. He was one of the league's best pitchers. An all-around athlete, he has several of high school's records for various sports. A great kid, a hard worker, and a really neat story. He basically was picked up by the White Sox after going 10 scoreless relief innings in a big conference tournament game. Through the baseball inner-circles and a scout being from his area and a friend of his coach and there to support the coach happening to see the outing, J.C. was picked up. I spent a decent amount of time with him because I had to carpool him and other new guys to and from the field to their hotel until they get put up with a host family. J.C. was about as thankful for the rides as anyone. The rides weren't tough, but I think it just shows how genuine of a person he is. No one wants to just get up and leave but he had a positive attitude about the move and is excited to hopefully get more innings. I am taking him to the airport to catch a 6AM flight and am excited to see him off.

Jerry Puentes was the youngest member of the Voyagers and, unt

il his birthday yesterday, the team's only teenager. Unfortunately, Jerry heard the news he was being sent down on his birthday. Both he and J.C. are being sent "down," but I don't think, at this level, that should have as negative of a connotation as it might as player progress in other levels. To me, it's kind of like the whole, A coach who doesn't yell at you is a coach who doesn't care maxim. If the organization didn't care as much, they'd just let Jerry stay in Great Falls and play in 3 games a week. Instead, he'll go to Bristol and get more consistent playing time. I didn't know how the dynamic would play out between the American-born players and the Latin-American born players, and I can only speak for this clubhouse, but EVERYONE gets along really well. Jerry, or, "Yeddy" as his teammates called him, was always smiling and having a blast. His teammates loved him and would tell you, despite his inconsistent grasp of speaking the language (he understands just about everything), he is the funniest guy on the team. He was such a joy to be around. He would always go out of his way to say hi. And was always trying to make people happy.

The tough part of sports, whether it is as a player, a coach, a fan, or a broadcaster, is the turnover amongst the personnel. I spend a ton of time with these guys and it's tough seeing them leave. I am not going to lie and say that I have an amazing relationship with everyone I have ever broadcasted, but when you witness the work these guys put into their craft and the pressures they deal with and the odds they are trying to defeat, its so tough to not outwardly want them to ALL succeed to the degree that they want to. I hope Jerry and J.C. continue to improve as ballplayers and that they do not forget that, while they are still chasing a dream, they are, at the same time, living a dream.

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I have talked about how special it is for me to broadcast Joe and the USC players that we play (Adam Dedeaux and Logan Odom) because that was my USC family. I also had a close relat

ionship with a core group of broadcasters at USC. Not coincidentally, this group happened to be the group who were pursuing broadcasting seriously as a career, not just doing it because it was fun to do in college--which, for those who approached it in that way I had no problem with at all. Of those in our group who have graduated, all four are broadcasting professionally. To me, that is really neat. We all remain in good contact and are very supportive of each other's careers. On top of the four of us, another who was a senior my freshman year, and another who didn't overlap at USC with us but, ironically, is from Dallas, like me, and went to the same school (Greenhill), are also both broadcasting professionally. I really take pride in that. That we came from the same program at USC--a program that is not nearly as heralded as Syracuse's or Northwestern's--and are all chasing our dreams.

Inevitably, our careers are going to take us to different parts of the country but also bring us together. One of the group of four of us (the other three are a year older) is the broadcaster for Orem, Brandon Marcus. It has been really neat to see him and spend time with him before games just chatting. It's a nice change to be able to chat with a broadcaster about life and not just the assortment of pitches their starter throws. I will see him again in a week and I am excited.

Keep an eye out for all of them: Jason Schwartz (Tri-Cities, LEFT), Grant Tunkel (Mahoning Valley, MIDDLE LEFT), Brandon Marcus (Orem, RIGHT), and then Chris Fisher (Eugene and USC Men's Basketball PBP) and Josh Feldman (Kannapolis).

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I just touched on it, but getting broadcast more Trojans that I spent countless hours with while at USC like Adam Dedeaux (Ogden) and Logan Odom (Orem) is really special. Adam threw three innings of relief against us and Logan will start next time around.

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I love getting to meet the parents of players. It really is neat and if you are reading this and will be coming to games, please take time to introduce yourself. I would say that I would go and find you, but I have no clue what you look like. Not that you know what I look like, but, when we are at home, you know where I am and, really, same with the road. Plus, I am the only Jared who will be walking around in a Voyagers polo constantly getting pulled in 12 different directions usually for screwing things up ;-)...just kidding....I hope.

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It was scorching in the press box last night. Gametime temperature was 98 degrees? In the press box, courtesy of official scorekeeper, Mike Lewis, it was 104.1 at gametime. I felt it. I almost an entire roll of paper towels wiping off my sweat. I have a fan but it was just blowing hot air. I am used to getting sweat in my eye as an athlete, but never before as a broadcaster. And, being from Texas, it wasn't the heat that bothered me as much as it was the sweating and pressure that resulted from being in a small enclosed space.

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I am very proud of Blair Walters, who just won Pioneer League Pitcher of the Week. This league is all about improving, right? He has improved each time out, but even at the beginning, you still saw signs that suggested he has great potential. It's funny how good scouts are. For all the times people think they mess something up, there is a Blair Walters. Blair was an 11th round pick, which is a pretty high selection. At Hawai'i he was a reliever, and it's not like he was battling with a staff like UCLA's which featured a Freshman All-American pitching behind two top-5 picks, including the first overall. Yet, they took this lefty in the 11th round committed to making him a starter and he has, allow me to use a baseball term, CARVED! He was made the transition to the rotation seamlessly. I am excited to see him as the season plays out. And, might I mention, another great kid.

07.16.2011: Winning is fun

First off, Congratulations to Joe Dvorsky and his new FIANCEE Jana. Joe proposed to his girlfriend today at the airport. Joined by teammates Cody Winiarski and Kevin Vance, they held up signs that read, "Happy Birthday, Jana" and then on the other side, as they flipped the signs, was the marriage proposal.

Second, team is looking great. Last night they pounded out a season-high 16 hits. All of a sudden the team has 3 of the top 5 RBI collectors in the league (De Pinto T2, Haddow 4), and they've won back to back series! Still 3 games back of Missoula, the Osprey have gotten hot as well. Big 4 game series with the Owlz starting tonight.

Adding another installment of the inside the dugout series tomorrow. I also am going to join Sam Phippen for his post-start workout next week--not just video taping, but actually doing it...I need the exercise. Anyway, you'll get a look as to what a pitcher does the day after his start. If you have any ideas for video projects, please let me know radio@gfvoyagers.com

07.14.11: Stache Crew Update

07.14.2011: Let's Play Two

The Arthur Ashe Award always presents a unique, special story...Last night's was no different.

I loved Seth Meyer's Opening Monologue. Check it out:

07.13.11: Inside the Dugout w/ Jamaal Hollis

Jamaal has tons of personality. Such a joy to be around. Great with the fans, as well. Get to know Jamaal...

07.09.11: A Day in the life...

A lot of people have asked me what I do on a daily basis so, here you go...Below is a detailed journal of Friday, July 8, 2011. This turned about to be a pretty standard day for me when we play at home. Road games, especially when I wake up in a hotel room (as opposed to a commuter trip like Helena) are a bit easier. Regardless, here you go...

6:15--I wake up to my first alarm, which is one of the verses from Ben Rogers' recent hit, "DFW Digs Dirk" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyrnp_2HHlY)...an instant reminder of the Mavericks Championship is a great way t start the day. When I am feeling crazy I will substitute that classic song for Chuck Cooperstein's Final Call of Game 6, announcing the Mavs as Champions. But, I did say my first alarm. I never get out of bed to my first alarm. I already have another alarm set for 6:30 so I lay in bed and check my email and text messages. 95% of my text messages from the time I sleep to the early time I wake are updates from ESPN. Emails, on the other hand, are usually relevant. I estimate that I receive around 70 emails a day and send out around 30, on average. I wake up with 17, 12 of which are relevant.
6:30--Second alarm, time to shower, brush my teeth, etc.
6:50--I am dressed and ready to go...On my way to work I first call my Dad just say Good Morning, and then decide I am in a music mood, not an ESPN Radio mood for the quick trip and listen to 3 Doors Down's "Be Like That"
6:58--I pull up at Centene Stadium. Unlock the doors, turn off the alarm, and head to my morning office which is in the conference room of the main office.
7:02--I update the Game Notes I provide for every home game. Sometimes I am able to do this after the game but some of the updates depend on when MiLB produces its daily report so often times it has to wait until morning.
7:11--Finish my updates and I email myself the document because my laptop does not have printing capabilities.
7:12--I walk to the front desk computer, grabbing a Berry Propel on the way (I love Propel). With my cell phone now switched to the 1310 The Ticket, the local sports radio station I grew up listening to in Dallas, it's now time to print.
7:14--At home, I print out the following for the following people....

Jim Eackland (Historian): Game notes*,stat pack^, team stats, & rosters
Jason Nitschke (On-Field Host): Game notes,stat pack, team stats, & rosters
Greg Pierce (Clubbie): Game notes,stat pack, team stats, & rosters
General Media (4): Game notes,stat pack, team stats, & rosters
Scouts% (3): Game notes,stat pack, team stats, & rosters

Opposing Coaching Staff (3): Game notes ,stat pack, team stats, & rosters

Gary Ward: Game notes, stat pack, team stats, rosters, previous game's box score, L/R matchups#
Brian Drahman: Game notes, stat pack, team stats, rosters, previous game's box score, L/R matchups#, and if the roster has changed, an alphabetized roster of his pitchers
Ryan Newman: Game notes, stat pack, team stats, rosters, previous night's box scores for all games, expanded stat pack@, SP report+, streaks>

Visiting Broadcaster/Myself: Game notes, stat pack, team stats, rosters, previous night's box scores for all games, expanded stat pack, SP report, streaks

Fans: Today, 100 double-sided rosters, but can range from 50-200 depending on expected attendance

*This is a seven page report which includes a specifics on the day's game, a sidebar of the team's schedule/results, some history, a little blurb on each player/coach, last night's scores, standings, relevant nuggets updated for that game, upcoming matchups/probable pitchers, bullpen gamelog, and the team's record in very specific splits
^Produced by the league, it includes more detailed standings, text highlights of previous night's games, league-wide probables, league leaders, and team stat rankings
#How each batter on both teams fares against RHP/LHP and how each pitcher on both teams fares against RHB/LHB
@Includes L/R matchups, but also individual player situational stats (i.e., hitting with runners on base, with runners in scoring posotion, when leading off an inning, among others for both hitters and pitchers), how a player fares at home and on the road, and how they have fared in their last 5/10 games
+Detailed game log and summary of how a pitcher has done this season
>Lists all the relevant streaks in the league, like hitting streaks and on-base streaks, overall, at home, and on the road

%Sometimes we have scouts who show up and want information. Their copies are left in the office.

I print one copy of every sheet which I need, with the exception of each team's individual stats for which I print 5 copies. The reason is because as I put together these packets, I make double-sided copies, but stats, especially for a broadcaster, are much more useful when on separate sheets. The printing gets done as I try and print out all the documents but making the first double-sided packet usually gives me about 10 minutes of waiting. During this time I update the website, in which I post an article and update the headlines. The website is very tough to deal with especially for someone like me who has almost no experience doing stuff like that. I think its getting better though...

7:38--The stapling and organizing begins...
7:47--Office phone rings and, against my will, I answer. It is someone who asks a ridiculous question...
7:56--All packets are put together and now its time to deliver them. I leave Greg his in his office with the three for the opposing staff. I deliver our staff theirs and put Jason and Jim's copies in their box. The scout copies are put in the office by the front desk and I keep all media copies for when I go to the press box.
8:05--In record time, my printing is done...Usually it takes an hour start to finish but my efficiency levels are off the charts today.
8:10--Time to tend to my emails, both ones i have sent and those I need to send. I am a big networking guy and like to reach out to about ten people/day, whether its established people in the industry or whatnot. Now, I can email like a machine, but I am ADD so A) I need to be listening to something, either music for my enjoyment, or sports radio for my benefit and enjoyment and B) Especially in the morning, it is a guarantee I get sidetracked by the internet...
8:15--One of the members of our stadium's cleaning crew alerts me the main concession flooded. I check it out, although I know I am about as useful in this situation as my 16 month old nephew, Chase, would be. I call Scott Reasoner and he informs me he will be in soon. Ultimately, the situation with some hard work gets fixed.
8:28--The emailing resumes. (As a side note, I prepare a rough schedule for my day the night before...always. In some ways it keeps me on track but it also in some ways is a fault. Sometimes i feel like not being so regimented would be nice, but I feel like I work at optimum levels with it the way I have it now...Obviously, everyone is different...
8:47--I give Chad Cleveland, from IMG Sports, a call. A part of my networking outreach he asked me to call him in the morning between a time frame so I did but he did not answer. I planned for about 20 minutes on the phone with him so by not answering, that gives me some time to get even more ahead of schedule...By the way, I botched my voicemail...thankfully you can now "Erase and re-record"
8:51--I post an article on newest Voyager, Keenyn Walker, and do some research on him as well...
9:11--I get a text from one of my best friends, Brad, continuing a discussion about some events going on in our lives. I am not going to detail each text throughout the day, but it is worth noting I text ALOT.
9:14--Time to find trivia for tonight's game. I love trivia...
9:22--I take the media packets up to the press box and slowly begin to transition to my "upstairs office." I do a little bit of cleaning in my booth and in the opposing broadcaster's booth as I notice some of his materials were blown out of order by the wind.
9:31--I take some of the papers I printed for myself and hang them on the wall to my right. I typically have team individual stats, last night's box score, rosters, and pitching reports to my right as reference...During a game I will usually reference the rosters and the stats (can't put them all in my book).
9:42--I go back downstairs and listen to last night's game. I like to listen to almost all of my games (Some I will be too pissed off to listen to). This is to help myself improve but also to try put together my reel. I am too ADD to just sit through commercials so this time I update the music on my phone. I technically can put all the music on my itunes on my phone, but I don't like to so I have about 33% of my library on my phone and like to update it from time to time.
10:45--After 3 innings of listening, I turn to my broadcasting notebook, something I put together years ago and still add to which is 30-page document of phrases and tips. I review it as much as I can, working on different parts each time.
11:02--I start to work on my pregame show, putting together the audio clips for the highlight segment and think of ways I can improve it and the questions I want to ask our manager, Ryan Newman, who will be tonight's subject.
11:28--I just shoot the breeze with Erik, one of the interns, about a variety of stuff. Ryan, another intern, and my roommate, joins in eventually. This period includes more random internet surfing...
11:59--I go up to the Press Box to record my in-stadium open, something we have been trying to get to work all year. it's something to be played over the PA...I am told tonight's the night. It welcomes you to the park, reviews the last night, previews the games, and promotes our next big giveaway.
12:20--Almost four hours between checking emails is almost a record for me, but I am greeted by 13 new ones to sift through. Some I deal with immediately, others I wait to deal with.
12:30--Erik and I go to lunch, choosing Wendy's. Hate that I am eating fast food but I am a big Wendy's fan...
1:12--I officially make my final transition to the press box, sitting down and first reading an article on The Decision, and how, despite all the controversy, it helped the Boys and Girls Club so much.
1:15--I think of the direction I want to go with my interview with Ryan and also think of, conversationally, what I want to cover with the players. Its important that I, even if it is not in an interview, keep up with them. For instance, Qualon Millender is leading the team in walks so I jot down that I want to approach him about his approach and whether it vaires from either side of the plate (he is a switch hitter), and if he has always had a good eye, etc.
1:20--I call a friend because my ADD suggests it was time to get sidetracked.
1:27--Check email...
1:31--When forgetting what I was about to do, I check email again.
1:33--Sidetracking continues with ESPN.com where I tragically learn that former TCU basketball coach, Neil Dougherty, passed away. I met him once and he was a great guy.
1:45--I go to the office, grab eight program and proceed to the clubhouse to get autographs for our Lucky Signature initiative. This is a great time for me to also talk to the players. Most of our convos are off the record as any friend would have with another, but there is a time for business...
1:52--I introduce myself to Keenyn Walker and he seems like a great kid
2:12--I go upstairs and begin to fill out my scorebook...I color-coat and like to be neat and organized so when all is said and done, it takes around an hour to get everything done (I can do it quicker if need be and I very rarely do it in one sitting)
2:31--I go down to the clubhouse and wait for the coaches conference call to finish. I already know our lineup because Newman posts it, but I need the card to make copies of for various people.
2:41--While waiting, I decide to jump in with some of the pitchers and do an abbreviated medicine ball workout. I like being able to take part in stuff like this because I think it helps me connect with them and helps them realize I am a normal guy! All-in-all, my relationships with these guys are great.
2:58--I get the lineup and make copies. I leave one for Jason Nitschke because he is in charge of the ballpark's lineup board, and I leave one for the opposing manager. The rest of the copies go upstairs to the press box.
3:09--I go down to the field for no reason other than to watch Salvador Sanchez pitch in a sim game (pitcher versus hitter, no fielders). Salvador was the first player I met that I didn't know beforehand when I picked him up from the airport. He has an incredible story which a blog post will be dedicated to later on, but what you need to know now is that "Super," has been in the organization for a while and people go out of their way to talk about how much they love him as a person. He is back in Great Falls transitioning from hitter to pitcher. Anyway, I go down and find that I am about one of 20 who are out to watch him throw, none of us with any obligation to be there, but simply there to show our support.
3:20--I interview Ryan. He is always so helpful and accomodating.
3:25--I talk to Keenyn and let him know about some interview requests he already has and ask to set up one with him for tomorrow.
3:31--Dixie, Billings' clubbie (Great Guy!) gives me their lineup so I repeat what I did when I got ours but, instead of giving their manager a copy, I leave one for our staff.
3:37--Back down to the dugout, I am just hanging out and talking to the guys. Joe walks in. He and I are very close and have a big brother-little brother type relationship which means we love to give each other grief. Behind his back? I'll stick up for him and boost him up at all times. To his face? I can't let his ego get too big! The guys I think enjoy our relationship and its so special that he and I are getting to share this experience.
4:02--I go up to the press box and get the music on for BP. We really need to get an improved sound system and equipment because it fades in and out and is so annoying.
4:07--I go down for BP. I love to watch and hear the instruction provided to know what each hitter is working on but also just to learn about the game.
4:40--I take pictures of the three guys a part of the team trying to grow out a mustache for the blog so I take the pictures and update the blog
5:02--I begin to send the audio files needed for pregame to the radio station's email account I set up for Voyagers games for our board op to load and cue up. I then have an idea...
5:09--It's kevin vance's 21st and he is, by nature, hilarious, so I figure, for his birthday, I will record him reading our starting lineup. I go down, ask him if he wants to (he does) and tell him I'll let him think of his material and I'll come back in 20
5:11--I walk around, talk to some fans, including Fred Williamson, a longtime Voyagers fan and host parent (Peter Gehle, this year). I love talking to the fans and the workers. For one, I am just a guy that loves to meet people, but I feel like it allows me to truly understand the heartbeat of the organization. I always talk to the parents of Jarrett Casey--awesome people!
5:30--Grab Vance and record the lineup...he nails it with some funny jokes mixed in...
5:37--I finally send all the audio to the station and connect with my board op for the night, Joe, to go over some things...
5:40--I listen to pre-recorded audio I have of Jerry Howarth, the Blue Jays PBP broadcaster. I like to listen to established guys 20-30 mins/day. My go-tos are Jerry, Jon Miller, and Eric Nadel, but I like to listen to a variety to learn.
6:05--I go down and get a pre-game meal with Billings broadcaster, Ryan Schuiling. He gets a beer baron hot dog and nachos, I get a chicken strips basket with fries. The walk down and up is a time for us to just talk. We do a lot of talking about life but also relevant game stuff when we are sitting in our booth before the game.
6:11--I go to the bathroom.
6:13--I set up the internet tabs I need readily available for the game to get everything done and organized (Gmail, team's facebook page, MLB scores, PBL scores, promotional schedule, their roster, our roster (so i can click on a player for game log info, weather, and something else that might be relevant) I also make sure my recording software is a go. And I organize my desk.
6:20--I relax and just clear my head, maybe reviewing something but also just hanging out.
6:31--I give my pregame handshakes to the gentlemen of the press box, a tradition they are now used to...
6:33--I confirm two minutes until airtime. I am not a very religious person. I am Jewish and proud of it. But, I always look up, talk to my deceased relatives and ask them to take care of my family and friends and allow me to have a good broadcast.
6:35--On air with the pregame!
6:38--I cue up the interview by "setting it up" on air and then go to the bathroom one last time before the game as it plays.
6:41--I am back on headset and its go time...
9:33--Game ends. Broadcast goes okay. Wish we would have won...
9:45--I finish post game, get some food, and begin writing my post-game wrap.
9:54--I go to the locker room to talk to the guys. I always like to congratulate those who played well with a handshake and pat the guys who didn't play well on the back. Obviously, there are times when I need to stay away from guys but I feel like I have a good gauge of that...I typically always talk to Joe for a few minutes after the game. He had 4 hits tonight and I just give him a hard time about being a home run shy of the cycle.
10:01--I talk to the Thorpe's (Randall's family) and some of the other fans who are still around.
10:10--I begin to get everything straight for the website and hang out with the staff after a long seven-game homestand.
11:35--Leave the park, go out for a bit, and then get ready to do it all again!

07.08.11: How About Two?

FIRST OFF: HAPPY 21ST BIRTHDAY KEVIN VANCE!!!!

I think tonight we go back-to-back..Anyway, tomorrow's blog entry will feature 'A Day in the Life of Me,' with a detailed time log of my day...Not self-indulgent, but people have asked and I thought it would be different...Either way...

The White Sox have an organizational policy: No facial

hair unless you have a clean and proper mustache. So, some of the guys have taken to that...I will do my best to update their 'staches as the season progresses but below we have the first 3 members of the 'Stache Crew...Top Left: Tim Rodmaker, Top Right: Stew Brase, Bottom Left: Kevin Vance...

07.07.2011: What Do You Say We Get One Tonight?

Here is a video look into a little bit of what Greg Pierce, head clubhouse manager, deals with on a daily basis...

Apologies in advance for the weird close up and the, in general, sub par camera work...

07.05.2011: Inside the Dugout: Randall Thorpe...AND AN ANNOUNCEMENT

Get to know Randall...An absolute great guy. One of the most fun guys I've been around

AND...The White Sox have agreed to terms with Kennyn Walker, their first round pick and he is coming to Great Falls!

07.05.2011: Don't Look Now...

Nice win by the Voyagers last night and, guess what? They are just ONE GAME out of first place. No one has separated themselves in the North Division and, at this point, 15 games in, we are more than one-third deep into the first half and it is about time to start scoreboard watching. One of the two teams in front of the Voyagers are the Billings Mustangs and this four game series presents a great opportunity for the Voyagers to take a step forward. Peter Gehle (2-1) is on the mound tonight against Wes Mugarian. Gehle picked up a win when he started against Billings on opening night and, on that very same night, the Voyagers knocked Wes around.

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We had a great crowd last night and they were treated to a Voyagers win and a great fireworks show. I was thinking back on the game and the Voyagers did not have any spectacular plays or monster home runs. They just played about as solid baseball as you can play to get the win and that's a great sign.

Below is the finale of the show. I tried to film it all, and I did get most of it, but I am only posting the finale.

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Pretty neat moment at Fenway yesterday...

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=16596865&topic_id=&c_id=bos&tcid=vpp_copy_16596865&v=3

07/04/2011

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY.

I am celebrating by not writing a lot. Below is the video from today's pregame interview with Herbie...We'll get a nice new vid in tomorrow as well...

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/1006/athletes.american.flag/content.1.html

07.03.2011: Comeback Kids

Come from behind wins are always special and tons of fun. After the game, the sentiments of several players suggested that this game was the push they needed to get back on the right track. Great Falls has established a recent tradition of success in the Pioneer League and, despite a slow start to this season, the organization fully expects to follow the recent precedent.

It is tough to express the excitement of last night's win into words. Instead, I have just created this video below to help you relive the moments of that eighth inning rally...Enjoy

07.02.2011: Nice to Be Home

Bus ride back...We are currently watching Battle: L.A. I've seen it so I am only half paying attention. I really appreciate the positive feedback I've received with the blog. If you have suggestions, specifically, ways I can better take you behind the scenes, please feel free to let me know. I have some ideas in mind.

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Twelve games in and for the most part, each game has been decided in the early going. That was the case last night when the Voyagers fell behind early and were never really in it. The guys have still yet to win when their opponents score first. And it isn't really that they go down without a fight, its just that they begin to fight back too late.

One of the biggest things Buddy Bell preached to me during our phone conversation was patience. We were talking about assessing individual players, specifically those who were playing at a new level, be it an advancement through the system or from college to the pro ranks. While we were not really talking about it in the context of a minor league team's success, I think it applies the same. The guys are just two back and will have their fair share of opportunities versus division rivals, including seven homes games against both teams ahead of them in the North, Helena (3) and Billings (4).

There are several bright spots. Twelve games is a small sample. It is a tad easier to make projections for the entire season for hitters than pitchers, but I will say that I expect a vast improvement from the staff as time passes and our young pitchers adjust. I think its safe to say that we can expect production from De Pinto and Herbek, two college guys, throughout the season. Watching batting practice and understanding his work ethic and maturity, I'd have to imagine Mark Haddow's production will only improve. Michael Earley is hitting well (+.300) but I think we might even see more production out him. He has just one extra base hit and I look at that more as the extra base hits are coming than where has the power gone? Michael has a well-deserved reputation of a gamer and a hard worker, too.

At the end of the day with the hitters, with Gary Ward providing instruction, they have all the opportunity to make progress in their game if they so desire.

This seven game homestand will teach us a lot. At the end of it we will be 19 games into the season, which is exactly one-quarter of the way in.

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Missoula was a bunch of fun. It is a really neat college town. I went to Uptown Diner with Tim Rodmaker yesterday. Check out the milkshake I got. It is called a Snicker, as its ingredients are exactly that of a snicker bar, plus vanilla ice cream and most importantly, a cherry.

I am excited to go back in a few months.

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Hot Sports Opinion: As the season goes on I will be providing these more consistently....

As I made clear in one of my first entries, I love sports. All sports, for the most part. Sitting in my hotel room watching Wimbledon and the Women's World Cup was a treat. Watching the World Cup reminded me of something: Diving.

I can't stand diving and I truly think it has gotten out of hand. Not only has it escalated in soccer, but basketball as well. Baseball is weird, and maybe I am a hypocrite, but I like that in baseball you have to "sell" things. Maybe I am old fashioned in that regard.

Mark Jackson or Jeff Van Gundy I believe suggested this as it applies in the NBA so I am just piggybacking their idea (By the way, they were a great analyst tandem). Why not fine players for diving or flopping? You leave this responsibility up to either a committee or Stu Jackson in the NBA and his counterparts in the various soccer leagues. It is obviously subjective, so it needs to be clear. But there were so many times during the NBA playoffs where a player fell backwards and, I kid you not, WAS NOT EVEN TOUCHED! That stuff is ridiculous. If you are contacted with a relative strength, then do as you please. But flopping without contact or a harmless touch, that bugs me. Soccer is obviously a big culprit of this, too. I think fining people is the best way to fix this. Do not suspend them, because you do not want to punish a team for one person's actions. But fine them. Then let's see if they fall twenty feet next time they graze uniforms.

And, for the record, I get it...I get trying to win. I am not really faulting them. I would and used to do it too. One time, current NBA player DeAndre Jordan legitimately hurdled me on his way up for a dunk. As the plane of his body crossed mine, I fell backwards and drew a big charge. He didn't even touch me, not even his jersey. So, I am not perfect.

Selling a charge is really no different than selling getting hit by a pitch, but I guess that doesn't bother me as much. If they applied to fine system to that, i guess I wouldn't throw a fit, but for bang-bang plays, I think selling it is just a part of it. To solve that, don't blame the player, just get video replay, which is an issue for a separate entry.

07.01.2011: How Well Do You Know Your Teammates

Its been really neat observing as the bonds amongst players form on this team. Some of it is simply who you sit next to on the bus one trip, or who plays a similar position, or who you flew in town with--all really simple. Being on the road so much to start the year has definitely expedited the process.

So, I am trying to change things up and keep things interesting. I decided to take the double play combination of Joe De Pinto and David Herbek and had them play a little game. They kind of took it in a different direction, but they had fun with it and I think it turned out ok...