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)

"Take Me Out to The Ball Game" on Opening Day !

Yep, it's that time !! Time to PLAY BALL !! It's been a long and cold winter that has been hard to give up here in Kansas but move over cold, it's time for the game of Summer.

I can't be at the ballpark today in person, so I will be listening to the radio all day, then watching TV. I will be there in my mind, too bad my paying job comes first. I just might have to see what I can do about that and soon.

The first pitch is scheduled for 3:10 pm. An unlikely opening day starter Luke Hochevar will get the honors this year. For his sake I hope he makes the best of it because it's doubtful he will get the top honors next season. Not impossible, but not likely.

Opening day is magical. Just being at the ballpark is special on this day. The kids, who obviously should be in school but nobody gets in trouble. Employees who are always looking  around hoping to NOT see somebody who knows they called in sick. Fans of all ages and dedication levels. A sellout! Usually a flyover from our great military machines ( if we're lucky again, it might even be a Stealth! ). A great version of our National Anthem and honored guest throwing out the first pitch. This year if you have not heard, it will be Mike Sweeney.

Fans will celebrate, laugh and have fun at the old ballpark.

Take me out to the Ballgame..... Go Royals !!

Super Sunday & 7 Days Until Spring Training

Green Bay 14-3

It's Super Bowl Sunday and what I am excited about is that in just 7 days, pitchers and catchers report to spring training for the Kansas City Royals. I survived January and baseball is in sight. After a long winter of heavy snow, cold and some interesting moves by the Royals, it is almost time to play ball!

Green Bay 21-3

This score reminds me about one of the differences between other sports and baseball is the clock. A team with the lead can simply run the clock and net allow the other team the chance to win the game. I love that about baseball.

Green Bay 21-10 Halftime

I thought this would be good practice and warm up. I am not good at stringing together long thoughts and maybe because the sport I am watching does not inspire me like watching baseball. I love the pace of baseball, pauses in between pitches and sometimes long pauses between any action it allows the mind time to wander. Now I also realize another difference... halftime shows! How bad was that one? Did they set up the drum machine and play 5-6 times with the same beat and sound? Any way, maybe my age is showing. With baseball,  you get on the field and play until the game is done.

Green Bay 21-17

I think one of my faults is that I try to write something everyone wants to read rather then just write my thoughts. I will work on that. By the way, back to the game and that was a horrible field goal attempt, not even close. Didn't even hit the pull up football saver screens. Heaven forbid that someone actually get a souvenir football like they used to. Heck if you sit there, you ought to at least have an option like they did in little league where you can turn the ball in for a snow cone! But nope, they don't even let the balls go in to the hands of a fan.

Green Bay 21-17 End of 3rd Quarter

Green Bay 28-17

Earlier there was a "coaches challenge" and this is something I think baseball could use. Maybe not leave it up to the coaches and like they do in football and only use it with limits, but how? Only for fair/foul calls? Or for bang-bang plays at first? Or do you EVEN perhaps consider using technology for calling balls and strikes? It would be a bold move that might not slow the game like reviews would.

Green Bay 28-25

Green Bay 31-25 2:00 warning

Final Green Bay 31 Pittsburgh 28
It's been fun and a good exercise for me, thank you for reading and checking in. Football season is now DONE!

It's time...

PLAY BALL !!

.

2011 New Year - New Project

I had the idea to start a blog and write a little something about each game of the Kansas City Royals 162 game season. I think the 162 is safe as it is very doubtful that they will be playing beyond that in 2011. With no Greinke and no true proven stars (ok Butler might count if he starts hitting with power) and an organization loaded with talent at AAA level and below, the prospects for an "interesting" season is high.

Is interesting good enough? No, but us Royal's fans know the drill... stay tuned as I will be posting before the season begins. If at anytime you would like to become a contributor to this blog, let me know and I give the lineup some thought.

How many days until Spring Training ? Too many...

PLAY BALL !!