Stick a Fork in [Me]. [I'm] Done...

This post is not a realization that there are plenty of unseen problems searching for a job.

It's not another recent college grad steaming about entering the workforce at a terrible time.

Most importantly, this post is NOT me giving up on being a sports broadcaster and multimedia analyst like the title may lead you to believe. I'm doing what the late Professor Jack Falla told my class in one of the few mornings we shared together: this post marks the end of my use of cliches, specifically in my sports talk/writing, and preferably all aspects of my life.

Sports Illustrated published a column filled with cliches to show their uselessness, which Professor Falla showed during his sports journalism course. I can't find a link to the article because I don't know the title or the author. The most important thing to note is the constant use of cliches.

Here's my vow to erase cliches from my memory. I hope the next paragraph uses up my quota.
***

People go on and on about how the internet is changing the way people sell their products and themselves. In combination with the recession, it's cutting a lot of the fat, and now sellers are shooting from the hip. Honesty is the best policy, and I'll try to think outside the box to give myself a better shot at landing a job. I won't end this post or my sports journalism career on a bad note.

It's been almost three weeks since my last post, and it's been a hectic time. I could go on about how busy I was, how challenging the job market is, and similar boring, irrelevant rants, but I won't. The important (and not-so-encouraging) point is that the Cape League season is over. That means my broadcasting career will have to take a ten second break for station identification. This time, it's identifying which station (or website) will hire me.

I've now called three summers of Cape League ball, with each year passing quicker than the last. Both our broadcasts and the Brewster Whitecaps website vastly improved in 2009, and now I'm hoping I can improve my status to become a paid play-by-play broadcaster.

Like any other job in this economy, it won't be easy. However, sports media is tough whether gas is $4.00 a gallon or $2.00. From this point on, I'll be looking back for learning experiences and looking forward to resume submissions, interviews, and eventually that first contract.

It's pretty obvious that the changes in my employment status will mean changes in the blog, but they won't be quite as drastic. I will recall what got me to this point, and use the words that came out of my mouth as inspiration.

(For the record, Minor League Baseball, I'm undrafted and unsigned just like '09 Whitecap Dan Butler was before going to the Lowell Spinners.)

It's weird to think that my last broadcasting gig was a week ago today, and like last Wednesday, I went to a game at Lowell Park in Cotuit. Again, it was a complicated feeling. The Cape Cod Baseball League was officially over after Bourne's victory and subsequent celebration. I certainly haven't lost hope, and I'm confident I'll find a job. My only lingering thought is where that will be.

Until then, I'll be blogging a lot more, "broadcasting" Red Sox games in my house, and sending out applications.

Good Thing I'm Not Mathophobic...

The Whitecaps' doubleheader today was postponed, meaning it gave me a lot more time to prepare for tomorrow's game. I wanted to improve my stats organization, so I reordered what I had into a more logical layout.

Simple is good, especially in terms of layout. I'm a visual learner (which explains this). I figured the easier I can access more facts and stats, the more relevant material I can bring into the broadcast. After about five minutes, I hated what I was doing. Whether or not I enjoyed it though, I wanted to ultimately make things easier during the broadcast, since that's the time when there's the most going on (duh).

I can't believe that broadcasting taught me what way I absorb information best, mostly because I couldn't learn that in a classroom. I guess broadcasting is better for my overall development than I thought. Now if only it could teach me how to combine Word and Excel into one program to really get my system going...


I don't know what the ellipsis was for. I probably won't figure that out. But if someone does, I'll be the first one to buy the mega-program.

A Trip to Fenway

The Cape League All Star Game was Thursday night, and for the first time in two decades, the game wasn't on the Cape. It was at Fenway Park, since the Boston Red Sox had an off day. It was the perfect opportunity for the players to live a dream, and the media to get a serious upgrade from the wooden press boxes they inhabit all summer.

Thanks to my pretty good digital camera, I was able to get some still shots and video of the goings-on before the game. I got to go on the field for the Home Run Hitting Contest (which former Whitecaps Connor Powers won) and snapped quite a few photos of the Whitecaps players signing autographs and walking around the field too.

I was glad to use a medium I don't use all that often (still photography) to show what the All Star Game was like. It reminded me that reporters should be able to do everything when it comes to publishing platforms.

Up and Over the Hump...

Repetition is an important part of becoming any kind of professional. In order to do your best, practice is necessary. As talented as people can be, the best athletes, journalists, doctors and even video game players have to put their hours in doing the smallest things over and over.

Doing the same thing a million times can sometimes bring your quality of work down, so be careful. It's great for procedural jobs, where everything needs to be the precise. For something like broadcasting a sporting event, saying the same words means you're not entertaining the listeners or viewers.

There's a difference between doing things the same way and doing them consistently. Consistency is what I aim for in my work. By having the same reliable format with plenty of new features, it makes things easier to listen to. I still relay the information in a clear way, but the listeners don't hear the Charlie Brown teacher out of their speakers.

I have a pretty informal method of getting rid of phrases or words I use too much. It may not work for everyone, but I suggest trying it if you feel like you're falling into a repetitive rut. Whenever I hear myself say something a lot, I write it down on my scorecard and cross it out. At the end of every game, I look at the words I axed and make note of it in my head. At this point, I don't think I've ever needed to scratch a word out twice.

I could keep going about how to stop repetition, but I don't feel like using the word anymore. Hopefully the points I've made are enough.

A Long Day

As much as I love making money, sometimes getting sleep is more worthwhile. However, being a sports broadcaster often means having another job or finding another earning outlet is necessary. For me, that means working at a grocery store three mornings a week.

Thanks to the incessant rain earlier this summer, the Whitecaps have three doubleheaders this season. One of them was today, and that meant I had to reschedule my shift at work. Instead of filling my normal 10 am to 2 pm time slot, I worked from 8 am to noon. That meant I needed to get up before 8 and lose out on the sleep I might need to have an exceptional broadcast.

Sacrifices are something I've learned to make frequently, since the sports broadcasting world is no more forgiving than the Sahara is humid. I need the money, so I ended up with a nonstop workday, starting at 8 and ending at 9 pm when I got home after the doubleheader.

I'm not about to complain about a long day like that, because it's not the first time something like it has happened, and it is not even close to the last time either. When I went to the Baseball Winter Meetings in Las Vegas this past December, there were a few presentations by Minor League employees who all described the hours of dedication you need to be successful (or at least stay afloat) in the sports industry. I'm prepared for it, but today was the first instance for me that a non-sports related event was part of that.

If there's one thing I can take away from today, it's that you should try to put as much effort into networking as you do into the quality of your broadcast. Like most other fields, connections are what put you over the top after a great interview or a spiffy resume.

Lesson 1b for today is that connections can come from anywhere. I spoke on end with a coworker of mine at the store and found out how she could pretty easily help me out. All I did to (unknowingly) start the conversation was get a little small talk going.

I never would have thought that bagging groceries and pushing carts could get me closer to anything media, and now I'm finding out that there could be another potential connection for me there too.

Remember to work hard not just at sounding and looking great on air. In the meantime, I need some sleep.

Another Loss to Learn From

One of the most boring overused cliches talks about the upside of learning from losses. As annoying as it may be, it's true. If you don't take something away from them, they've only been a waste of your time. Today, it wasn't the Whitecaps' loss that taught me anything. It was my inability to get the broadcast on air.

A weak wireless connection put us in an awkward situation. The equipment was useless, because the computers couldn't get a quality signal from the router. It was a place where I knew there were some issues, but I thought the ones in the past were because of the bad weather there last time.

It was incredibly frustrating to deal with the situation tonight, especially given the weather (which was almost an issue for the second time at that field and the third time this season against that team [the Hyannis Mets] alone).

Now, it's a matter of finding a solution by Saturday, when we're back at the same field. It's amazing how simple it makes things when you have plenty of time and the right resources. Hopefully by the next post, I'll have good results to share.

Broadcaster, Reporter, Rock Star?

It's great being a sports broadcaster and reporter. There are plenty of perks, even if it's much harder than people think. The competition alone is enough to scare many people away and ruin the chances of others that still try. I've found the best way to stay sane (and on top of things) is to take a break every once in a while.

No, I don't take days off, skip games, or take it easy, but I do make sure I have at least a little time each day to relax. Like any other job, I need to focus when I'm at work, and unwinding is a great way to ensure that tiredness, frustration, or a generally bad mood don't cloud my mind.

I happen to be an avid Guitar Hero player, although I'm no pro by any means. I suggest that anyone out there in the sports journalism world find themselves their "Guitar Hero" to provide a good outlet.

Now that I've conquered "Hot for Teacher" by Van Halen, it's time to prepare more for tonight's game. Catch you later, hobbyists of the sports world.

Working Hard When Things Don't Work

I hit .500 today. I wish I was talking about a few trips to the batter's box, but I mean in terms of getting things done correctly.

After a ton of trouble with the mixer today, I finally fixed the problem. The most frustrating part of it all was that I didn't do anything differently than I normally do. Everything was set up the same way, and for whatever reason, it didn't work at first. Luckily we got on without a problem, and on time too. I didn't have as much luck with my package for the Cape League TV Show, though.

I was assigned to do a story on Whitecaps Manager Tom Myers. I spoke with him, a couple players, and the General Manager as well. The video looked great, I got some awesome sound bytes, and I had a good time doing it. However, when I captured the footage, there was no sound.

Apparently, there was an issue with some of the equipment that another reporter had as well with his camera. The microphone was showing levels for audio, but they weren't registering. No matter what the problem was, the equipment didn't work. It's easy to blame it on the camera, but the point is, the package isn't done. I have to take responsibility for it.

I feel like a struggling hitter , one of the guys who nails the ball, but it always ends up right at someone. Teammates saying "It'll be okay" don't make it any better. The only solution is to keep plugging away and hope you get that first bloop hit. I haven't had a string of mistakes, but I still need to deal with the problem rather than let it eat me up. It's the same way for any broadcaster (or working person for that matter).

A Double-Edged Sword

Today was one of the better games of the season for the Brewster Whitecaps. The first six batters they sent to the plate got on base, and five of them scored. The worst offense in the league scored 8 runs, and ended up winning (after letting the opposing team tie it, of course).

According to the totally overblown phrase, a win is a win. But nobody can say the same for broadcasting. After some internet problems before the game, we got everything running smoothly. But shortly after the first pitch of the top of the first, the equipment became an issue.

After a bit of troubleshooting, the broadcast was back on air, but not before I tossed play-by-play to Craig for a few batters. By the time I got it back, the Whitecaps were on their scoring binge. Most of my attention was on getting the broadcast on air, not on being the best broadcaster myself. As a result, the big inning didn't go nearly as smoothly as it could have.

Brewster still won the game, but that's not why I was happy at the end of the night. I finished my portion of the play-by-play with some gusto, and learned a lesson too:

Even when things are going great, something can go wrong. It's the broadcasters' responsibility to minimize them and take something away from the mistakes they make.

A Tough Stretch

One of the best things about doing something every day is getting into a rhythm. Calling a game is like batting practice for me, which is why the last week or so has been tough. I'm at my best when I've had plenty of reps on the mike, day in and day out. It's already hard enough at the beginning of the season, and now the postponed games are piling up.

There was another cancellation tonight, meaning that four of the last six game days have been washed out. I'm hoping there aren't any more games postponed in the near future, and in the meantime, I'll do what I can to stay fresh in the game calling department.

If you have any suggestions on what to do to stay focused and professional, let me know. I love taking advice almost as much as I like giving it. My job may be to talk, but it doesn't mean I can't listen too.

An Off Day Not a Day Off

If you check out the Brewster Whitecaps Blog (which I write), you'll see the confusion caused by the weather on the Cape the last few days. I had no idea the Whitecaps were supposed to have a game today until that game was postponed, because I was in work.

That fiasco reminded me that broadcasters really don't have a day off until the offseason. (Even then there's work to be done.) There are always changes in the schedule. There may be times it "frees up" a night, but whether or not there's a game, there are plenty of things to learn.

Whether it's simple research, speaking with the players or coaches, or even the opposing organization, to be a great broadcaster you have to be Mr./Mrs. [Team Name].

By immersing myself in the Cape League, I feel it's made me a better broadcaster and reporter in general, not just baseball gamecaller.

I guess I should get back to work.

Not so Mist-erable

Tonight was an adventure to say the least. I'm glad we got our broadcast up and running, even if the game was called after an inning. We set the equipment up in the most aggressive blowing mist I've ever experienced. I never thought a tarp combined with a few sweatshirts would provide good enough cover for a mixer and two computers, plus three microphones, but they were all dry when we were done without the help of a towel.

It was kind of fun calling a game in such weird weather, but I' glad the game didn't go any longer than it did before it was postponed. It wouldn't have been safe for the players to keep going, especially the pitchers. One of my broadcast partners (Craig Durham) said he heard one of the pitchers saying he felt like he was throwing 55 miles an hour. (I'd love to throw that speed with a little knuckling myself, but that's not happening anytime soon.) It looked like there was no traction on the mound.

I'm surprised that the Brewster Vice President didn't take any photos of me with my head buried under the tarp, checking the sound levels, making sure our broadcast was recording. The game didn't end up going official, but we got on the air. That's all that matters to me. It's funny to think that managing a couple metal boxes can be such a challenge sometimes.

A Long Game...

After eight games this season, there have been plenty of opportunities for great calls. I've had some good ones, some not as good, but nothing that I'd call perfect. I'm hoping by the end of the season, I can go an entire game sounding like a Major League Baseball broadcaster- or better.

Yesterday's game was another learning experience. The Orleans Firebirds beat the Whitecaps by six runs, even though it was tied through six innings. What started out as a close game ended up being the worst loss (in terms of run differential) for Brewster all year. So what happens in a broadcast when the opposing offense strikes?

I was happy to hear that Craig Durham, who was doing play-by-play for the late innings of last game, was able to stay excited during the action. However, once the six run seventh was over, it was the real challenge. How could we keep the listeners entertained when the game was out of hand?

That's the point in the broadcast when the human element shines. Although it's imperative to talk about the game, since that's what people are tuning in for, it doesn't mean you can't have fun with it. Whether it's a trivia question, a story, another mention of the fans listening, or a verbal update on the team Twitter account, there needs to be something to keep people involved.

I've always said that being a broadcaster is simply being the moderator in a discussion about people through the sport being played. When I'm calling Whitecaps games, I love to hear what others have to share. If you listen to one of our broadcasts, feel free to speak up through email, Twitter, or any other platform, because another voice enhances the conversation.

Getting in the Groove...

I probably couldn't have typed an entry last night if I wanted to. My fingers were numb from the cold Harwich night. I'm done complaining though, as the game was fun, and the broadcast was fluid.

We got disconnected once, and I had to fix the technical problems, but hey, the moving around kept me warm (sort of). The Whitecaps got their second road win in as many games, and I learned a valuable lesson: even if it's the middle of June, bring layers of clothing with you to the park.

The chemistry between Graham, Craig, and I is only getting better every game. In tonight's game, we really got things going. The beginning of the season jitters are gone, and we've done a solid 5 games. It's great to have an off day coming, but at the same time, I can't wait to get back into the booth on Thursday.

Team in Midseason Form?

The Whitecaps had a bigger win last night than they did all of last season. After jumping out to an early lead thanks to back to back homers in the first, they continued to pile it on. At one point in the game, they led 6-2.

After the Firebirds chipped away for the middle innings, they got their first lead of the night late. Going into the ninth inning, they led 8-6. If it were the 2008 or 2007 Whitecaps in the game, it would have been over. But luckily, there's a new coach and a new attitude in town. Returning catcher Jim Klocke came through with the game winning, 2-RBI single, and Brewster held on.

Games like that are the reason I love baseball, and I'm sure that's the case for many other people as well. What makes it different for me is the fact that I get to share that excitement with others. Exciting games like last night's are the easiest to call, even if there was some trouble setting up in the first place.

One thing I've learned through the various internships I've had is that Murphy's Law can actually be true. Being early, especially extra early is always a help. For anyone looking to go into the broadcast media world, BE THERE EARLY. That way you have plenty of time to figure things out. If we hadn't been almost two full hours early, there's no way Graham and I would have gotten the game on the air in time for the first pitch.

Opening Day

It's not too often that a team opens it season with a tie, but that's the Cape League for you sometimes. The team I broadcast for, the Brewster Whitecaps, took a 2-0 lead into the top of the ninth yesterday, but the Falmouth Commodores scored two to tie it. There was time for one extra inning before the game was called for darkness.

I'd say it was a unique game, but it's not even close to the first tie I've called in baseball. In fact, I've called more ties in baseball than I have in hockey. As annoying as ties may be, it's the quirks in baseball that I enjoy most about it. Whether it's the different sizes and shapes of stadiums, the varying rules between the American and National Leagues, or fog being the best closer, there's always something.

Luckily, there were no quirks in getting the game on air yesterday. While getting all the equipment to work has often been a battle, things ran smoothly yesterday. I was talking with the other broadcasters, and we noticed how well the team seemed to be working together, especially in a play at the plate that saved the tie. We felt the same chemistry ourselves, and we hope to keep that up all season.

Baseball Overload? Never...

I never thought I'd be reading two baseball blogs, doing research on other baseball websites, using baseball message boards, and watching a baseball game, all without paying any attention to the Red Sox game that's on right now.

I'm not complaining though. This Rice-LSU Super Regional game has been pretty fun to watch. It helps that a bunch of the players in the game are Cape Leaguers (from years passed or the upcoming season): Rick Hague, Anthony Rendon, Anthony Ranaudo, Diego Seastrunk, Sean Ochinko, Leon Landry, D. J. LeMahieu, Tyler Hanover, Blake Dean and Micah Gibbs have played, will play, or at least are listed on Cape League rosters.

I won't say what's been going on in the game because I don't want to violate the NCAA or ESPN live blogging policies, but let's just say there have been some great at-bats, pitchers getting out of big jams, and some snazzy work in the field too. In other words, you can't ask for much more (other than maybe both teams somehow making it to Omaha).

*****

I've found both Codball and Right Field Fog to be very useful resources for the preseason Cape League homework I've been doing. Between collecting the player bios myself and getting information from a few other sites, I have a much better knowledge of NCAA Baseball than I did going into either of the last two seasons.

I'm fortunate enough to have a new laptop with a few tricks up my sleeve in improving the Whitecaps website and my own ability to entertain people in a multitude of ways. I can't wait to start broadcasting on Friday.

An Expensive Day

The broadcast journalist in me wanted a new computer with great video editing software. I'm most familiar with Apple's Final Cut, so a Mac was the most logical choice for me. I ended up with a MacBook Pro. I've always been a PC person, but I have to say, Macs don't seem half bad.

I'm hoping to revolutionize the Whitecaps' website with some new features, whether they're written, spoken, or shown, and my digital camera combined with my Mac will help me do that. I'm always open to suggestions on things to add to or improve on the site, so take a look now and once the season starts. The more professional the website looks, the more entertaining it will be for you, the fans. (It certainly won't hurt to have a beefed up portfolio, either.)

I'll probably try out my digital (/decent video) camera in the next few days. If I come up with something interesting to present, I'll post it here.

In the meantime, I have a lot of packing and sleeping to do before I make Dennisport my summer home.

It Isn't Day One...

I'm ready to start my third season as broadcaster for the Brewster Whitecaps of the Cape Cod Baseball League. Their first regular season game is Friday, June 12th at Stonybrook Field, where they'll take on the Falmouth Commodores.

I've had a lot of fun spending my summers on the Cape, but it hasn't been as glamorous as it sounds. I started this blog partly because I wanted to show people all the work that goes into being a great sports broadcaster. I wouldn't trade it for the world, but it still takes a lot of dedication, even when you don't want to do work. Anyone can happily call a 2-1 win, but what happens when the game is a blowout for either side? It's not as convenient as you may think for your team to be up 10-1 in the sixth inning.

In preparation for the season, I printed off a bio for each and every player on the rosters for all ten teams in the CCBL. I have to make an equipment checklist, make sure everything works, and have at least one in-person pre-season meeting with my broadcast team. Between Graham Doty, Craig Durham and I, we hope to reinvent the Whitecaps' website and create entertaining but professional broadcasts each and every time out.

I'll keep updating the blog to track my progress. It will keep me disciplined, and hopefully give you a lesson or a laugh along the way. (I'm still learning, and I'm always open to suggestions. Leave a comment about me, the broadcasts, or the website if you like.)