What I've Learned from Podcasting Church Softball Games

Since 2015 I have been podcasting Covenant Speed/Power games.

Initially I wanted to see some friends playing softball, but then I started talking about the games on a whim as the action was unfolding.  This led to my first podcasts.  You will recall in those early podcasts, I was calling the games and telling it like it was like the late Howard Cosell.

One podcast in particular led to me being mentored by the former voice of the Pittsburgh Pirates Lanny Frattare.  You will recall during a poor performance in a game against the New Life Saints, I took to using language not suitable for work and needed mentoring during an imposed two game ban (which was later rescinded).  I sought Lanny Frattare's advice and he taught me that because 85% of a broadcast's success is determined before it goes on the air, preparation is the key.  He would spend four hours before a Pirates game looking at statistics for both teams.

With the lessons learned, I started keeping score of the games during the podcasts.  You will recall that initially, I used pencil and paper scoresheets.  It wasn't until 2017 that I started using the GameChanger app on my iPad which I purchased with my 2016 Christmas money.

A June 2016 podcast against New Life (one I was initially planning to skip due to my working vacation at the U.S. Open) got me the heave-ho from White Chapel Field after I suggested something based on what was on my scoresheets in front of me.  I once again sought Lanny Frattare's advice.  This time I self-imposed a two game ban on myself.

It seems that if I miss a podcast due to disciplinary reasons, the Covenant Speed/Power doesn't win the championship.  We lost in 2015 to Lebanon B and in 2016 to New Life.  I wanted to give up because I feared I would never be part of a local champion team again.  Players on the team begged me to return in 2017 and I did, and ordered them to give me a Gatorade shower if we won it all this time.

The 2017 team's revenge tour had the rally cry "Win it for Michael".  After a split with New Life Blue, I said in the huddle that we still had 12 games to prove that we could be a championship-caliber team.  We didn't lose another game until 2019, winning a league record 50+ consecutive games and three consecutive league championships (although I missed the 2019 tournament due to conflicts and an illness).  And I did get that Gatorade shower in 2017.

I have also learned that there are keys to beating certain teams in the league, particularly the New Life Saints.  If you are playing New Life, the key to beating them is to get off to a hot start early and not take your foot off of the gas pedal.

Tournament Saturday is a marathon for me as a podcaster.  It requires a 5:15am alarm and arrival at the Council of Governments Softball Complex at 6:30am for an air time of 7am.  The day also requires packing two or three water bottles, two sandwiches, two bags of chips, a side item and two bottles of pop.  Often my mother will make some snacks for the team to share.  Other times I contribute some food for the team to eat in between games.  We set up two 10x10 canopies for our home base for the day.  Opening ceremonies begin at 7:45am with a welcome, opening remarks, the presentation of the Sam Blake Sportsmanship Award, an opening prayer followed by the singing of the National Anthem.  Depending on what time the first tournament game for the Covenant Speed/Power is, I either take a short break to get ready to call the game if at 0800, or wait until 0915 to call it if the team has a coveted bye.  Sometimes I do break into regular MHB Sports programming with updates from other games.  I do this by roaming the complex seeking score updates from those games.

Because the tournament is double elimination, I call no less than two games and no more than six throughout the entire Saturday.  I go until either the team loses two games or wins the championship, whichever comes first.

It is also thanks to my podcasting that my circle of friends has increased exponentially.  Not only have I gotten to know the players on the Covenant Speed/Power, I have also gotten to know the players on the other squads in the league.

I'm often asked what advice I would give to anyone wanting to podcast softball games.  The advice I give is that preparation is the key to a podcast's success.  Get to know the players on your squad as well as those on other squads in the league.  Ask the players what makes them tick.  As new players join each squad every year, try to obtain a list of cell phone numbers so you can send a mass text message to those coaches in an attempt to acquire their team rosters via email.  Also, create for yourself a media guide that you can update as the season progresses as well as on an annual basis.  Keep those old media guides in a large three ring binder so that you can cross-refer if you need to figure out a statistic for a certain player.  Observe preseason practices so you can get a good look at the team that is being fielded.  And finally, while you are podcasting games, try to weave stories into your podcasts, but do not let them get in the way from the action on the field.  You are not Bob Prince, never have been and never will be.  Do not try to emulate your favorite baseball announcer.  Do it your way.  Just don't forget that Frank Sinatra put it to music!