Baseball Announcer Opportunity

Watch an archived game on youtube on mute and record yourself announcing it. Play it back and harshly critique yourself and then do another game same thing and make minor tweaks to improve. Maybe start with a couple of innings before working it to a full game. You should do it enough times until you are happy with your voice then give it to friend or spouse to critique it. Bring in a partner like someone from the middle school who wants to get into broadcasting.

2022NYC-great tips! Will do. thx!

I did it for three years. My tips are:

1 - No play by play or commentary   

2 - Get the lineups as early as possible. They're likely to have last names only, so use Max preps to get first names. Check with visitor fans for how to pronounce difficult names.

3 - always look at the batter's number before you announce him, in case he'said a pinch hitter or batting out of order.

4 - try to be fairly neutral - not just a homer.

5 - keep score to help keep your head in the game.

6 - make sure the mic is off when you want it off!

Definitely don't talk too much.  We once had an over-enthusiastic dad as announcer, he was doing more play-by-play, including comments like "a hard-hit ball" on groundouts and calling "foul ball" before the ball actually hit the ground, it drove everyone crazy.  But he meant well.

I think in baseball less is definitely  more.  Even at an MLB park you don't hear the announcer doing commentary.  It's not a broadcast.  It's announcing.  HS basketball is different, IMO. You need to interpret the fouls, in particular, because most spectators don't understand what the refs are signaling.  I have heard 2-man teams doing commentary and play-by-play at HS football games, but a) that's different and b) nobody listens.

Listen to Alex Rodriguez and do the opposite.

Been doing it for 3 years myself, and @JCG's tips are spot on (esp #2). And agree with everyone else: less is more.

I'd only add that you should definitely get the ground rules from the HS coach. Ours wants a certain rendition of the anthem played, no walk-up music is allowed, certain songs can't be played, etc..

@Senna posted:

Been doing it for 3 years myself, and @JCG's tips are spot on (esp #2). And agree with everyone else: less is more.

I'd only add that you should definitely get the ground rules from the HS coach. Ours wants a certain rendition of the anthem played, no walk-up music is allowed, certain songs can't be played, etc..

No walk up songs?   That's just mean lol.  Let the kids have fun....just make sure the songs are "safe" to be played in public

@Buckeye 2015 posted:

No walk up songs?   That's just mean lol.  Let the kids have fun....just make sure the songs are "safe" to be played in public

Yeah, but I think I have a way around it this year. Anytime someone is leading off an inning (or coming in to pitch for the first time that game) they'll get their fave song. So it's not REALLY a walkup song, but it's close.

My favorite part of all of it has been putting together the playlists, for certain. Both the ones for the 50 minute pregame warmup and for the game itself.

People will forgive you a lot if you say their kids' names correctly.

Just a heads up, our game camera is usually close to the announcer. I edit the video and the first thing I do is remove the sound because you hear everything the announcer says, even the stuff said with the mic off. Thank God it isn’t live streamed!

Thx folks!  A bunch of great tips!

Less is more? Dang it! I was going to be the next Jim Brockmire or Bob Uecker!

LOL

I'll definitely let everyone know how it goes. Unless , of course, i'm too embarrassed!!!!

I have done this for 21 years, 10 high school, and 11 Valley League Seasons. Some of my advice will overlap others as you have gotten some good stuff.

1. Always be 100% sure the mic is off when talking in the press box.

2. Get the lineups as early as possible. I write out their number, name, position, college, and hometown.Large Print.

3. Get hooked on phonics-for any name you are not 100% sure of the pronunciation, go to the dugouts and ask. Then write it down phonetically.

4. As to nicknames, be careful. I've had college guys set me up with goofy names.

5. Don't assume a substitution isn't made unless you are told. Double check the batter's number as he walks to the plate as all substitutions are not timely reported.

6. Bring a bottle of water.

7. Go to the bathroom right before you start-the most important rule!

8.  If you play music, never play a song that you haven't listened to first.  There are many good songs that have inappropriate words, but you can often find "clean" versions on line.  Make sure you acquire all music via legal downloads. Normally you need a license from ASCAP to play music at games with paid attendance. Normally they warn first and contact you to get a license.

9. Never play the Three Stooges Theme. I did that once...not realizing it's the "Three Blind Mice" song.  I apologized to the umps afterward. Fortunately I knew them all previously and they laughed.  Something like this can get you tossed.

10.  This is probably more for college level, but if you do sound effects/music clips, never ever be malicious.  There are lots of cute clips.  Cute is okay, but when in doubt, don't play it.   When a coach talks forever on the mound, I have a Daffy Duck that says "Could we please make up our mind?"   Most coaches just grin.