Baseball broadcasts on radio these days are not just about calling a game. Broadcasters have to sell products, keep up interest in the team, entertain guests and oh yeah, deliver a quality call so you, the listener know what is happening in the game.
Things have changed from the old days of baseball play-by-play. It’s no longer a “straight forward” broadcast that deals with the game in front of them and really nothing else.
Now broadcasters have to be up on all the news from around the league, their team and be up on all the new statistical information provided to them. Plus, they have to entertain an audience no matter what the score or how their team is doing in the standings. It’s not as easy as it may sound.
Longtime Diamondback’s play-by-play man Greg Schulte, now in his 21st season behind the microphone agrees, these aren’t your father’s baseball broadcasts. Innovation is alive for some teams.
“Candy (partner Tom Candiotti) & I have gotten in to more discussions about current baseball happenings,” Schulte said. “We’re doing twitter polls on-air. Incorporated a Dbacks minute in place of a pair of half-inning commercial breaks. It’s a lot different listening to a radio game now, than it was when I was a kid growing up.
“I loved using my imagination listening to Harry Caray & Jack Buck describe Cardinals baseball. I still love talking about the stadium, team uniforms, scoreboard, hot dog vendors, as I bring people inside the ballpark. Try and be as descriptive as I can each and every night.”, Schulte said.
Ted Leitner who is calling his 40th year of Padres baseball (and my former partner in that booth) has a style that’s all his own. The beloved broadcaster shared a thought on how he likes to keep an audience entertained.
“I’ve always thought baseball play by play should include stories-even occasionally non-sports stories and humor in a sport where there really is only about 12 minutes of action in a three hour broadcast.” Leitner added, “Just ‘ball 1 ball 2 and reams of stats I believe is insufficient.”
The downside of trying to entertain is not everyone is doing a non-traditional broadcast. Leitner says, “Doing that can lead to criticism from fans and you’ll get the ‘just shut up and give the score’ comments from listeners. (It’s a) Matter of taste.” says the veteran broadcaster.
I also wanted to know how broadcasters balance the game with everything else going on around.
“I’m still a stickler on letting the listening fan know what’s going on, handling the play-by-play duties,” Schulte says. “Nothing worse – in my mind – than someone listening and hearing the crack of the bat against the ball, and not get a description of what just happened. That’s tough to manage when we have a guest in the booth.”
It is becoming a little more common for teams to put front office members, celebrities at the park, and draft picks on the air for a half inning or more. The problem is the guests don’t always understand that on radio every pitch needs to be called.
I’ve had situations come up where a guest just won’t stop to let me get a call in. It’s frustrating but at the same time, it’s important to be a team player and allow for that possibility because the team wants that person or group on the air to promote something.
Lastly, I was curious how each of these broadcasters handled replay reviews. Obviously listeners can’t see the play that is being challenged, so what do you do?
“On replays, Candy (Tom Candiotti) and I usually take a couple looks at the replay in question and form an opinion, right or wrong.”, says Schulte. “I may throw in a few out-of-town scores if it turns into a long delay, maybe recap the scoring, but I’m always ready to move right back to what the ruling is from New York.”
Leitner’s approach is just slightly different.
“I think the focus on review has to be solely on that play. Watching the TV replay and passing that on to the listeners from every angle shown. We really don’t need to fill much time for the average review span so there’s no need to refer to any other play or subject.”
No matter the era, or changes to the game, no matter the changes in philosophy for what a broadcast should be, baseball is meant for the radio. There’s nothing better on a Summer afternoon or evening than sitting in your car or house hearing the crack of the bat, the murmur of the crowd, the vendor hawking his wares and a familiar voice. The Voices of Summer are on the case bringing you the National Pastime in its purist form, even if that art form has changed a little bit.
Andy Masur is a columnist for BSM and works for WGN Radio as an anchor and play-by-play announcer. He also teaches broadcasting at the Illinois Media School. During his career he has called games for the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres and Chicago White Sox. He can be found on Twitter @Andy_Masur1 or you can reach him by email at Andy@Andy-Masur.com.
