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.