Take Me Out To The Ballgame... on Radio !

There is something very nice about listening to a baseball game over a portable AM radio. It evokes thoughts of sitting on a porch swing in the shade on a summer evening. Even if you are inside and it's cold and wind in April.

It's nice because you can have it going in the background, and it doesn't take over your thoughts unless you WANT it to. Then the announcer gets that edge of excitement and you know it's time to listen. If you don't quite catch the action, you can listen to the crowd because that inner "clock" in your mind tells you that your team is batting or in the field.

Also interesting to me is the companies that advertise, and how that changes based on region. Imagine hearing a commercial for John Deere or a farmers coop during a radio broadcast in New York or Los Angeles. I guess it would be like hearing a commercial on Kansas City for surf boards.


It is different than watching on TV obviously, but I think radio is the best way to experience a ball game, other than being there anyway. With radio, you are there in your mind and heart. It kind of goes back to the old time simplicity of the game. Simple game for a simple time. Well we can always hope right?


"7th inning stretch time at Kauffman Stadium" says Bob Davis on the Royals Radio Network.

Take me out to the ballgame...

Bob Davis, Denny Matthews and Steve Stewart
will broadcast games this season from the
radio booth. (Chris Vleisides/Kansas City Royals)

Denny Matthews in March

Ahhh... Denny Matthews. What a perfect voice to hear on the radio in March. The Royals are playing the Reds under the lights in Arizona. Mostly regulars in the lineups for both teams and it's a perfect 84 degrees in the desert. When Denny decides to retire, listening to a game on an AM radio ( or in this day and age, my iPhone ) will never be the same. Still baseball but not Denny. He truly IS the voice of the Royals.

Butler slams a singles and the next up Kila Ka'aihue belts a bomb and right away it's 2-0 Royals. Inning over after an easy pop up. But a great start against a top pitcher in Bronson Arroyo.

Middle of the 1st 2-0 Royals

It's going to be a fun summer for sure! So many interesting story lines both in Kansas City and as well as Omaha and NW Arkansas. So many prospects, so much to be excited about. Youngster Mike Montgomery is throwing strikes in the bottom of the 1st. Seven pitches and six strikes and an out. If the Royals are to make any noise in the AL Central, it will require a few surprises from the starting pitching as that is easily the weakest part of the team for 2011. I am not hoping for a lot of noise from the team this season, mostly because they are taking a good approach to the prospects and not rushing anyone up. Double play, Aviles to Getz to Ka'aihue.

End of the 1st 2-0 Royals

Red hot Alex Gordon hits one of the wall for a lead off double. How many times can we say, maybe Gordon will "find it" this year. He just might, hate to give up on a player like him with the team building as it is. Gordon scores on a single by newcomer Alcides Escobar. Close play at home but the Royals are forcing the running game which is well over due. This team is being built for speed, defense and pitching. Power may be on it's way in 2012 and 2013.

Middle of the 2nd 3-0 Royals

Gotta cut this one short.... early day tomorrow and hey, it's my Spring Training too !

End of the 2nd 3-0 Royals

Go Royals !!