Plenty of great play by play announcers, most in fact, including Hall of Famers, achieved greatness without ever having darkened a newsroom. So I want readers to understand my news-background approach serves me well, but by no means is it an “end all” solution.
You may have seen a little missive I did back in September on this site concerning Ernie Harwell’s time as a combat reporter for Stars and Stripes during World War II. In it, I spoke in vague terms about the parallels between covering news and doing play by play. And, I encouraged youngsters to get a news background before moving forward. So, all that said, let’s back up a bit and begin the thought process of explaining why I feel news reporters and play by play broadcasters are twins.
Very simply put, the same talents it takes conducting a live report anywhere in the world on CNN, represent the same talents and abilities possessed by an excellent play by play broadcaster. The best know how to prep and report using interesting presentation skills while connecting viewers/listeners. It’s all topped off with liberal doses of passion, fire and desire for the work. Simple. Right?
First off, just as I did in my news reporting days, I approach each game in my PCL season, constantly looking for THE banner headline of the night. The headline provides me a way to relay to listeners why tonight’s game matters. And, it can be presented in any one of dozens of ways. Maybe last night’s game ended on a three run homer in the bottom of the ninth. It it might have extended a winning streak, ended one…or it could have meant a new team took over the lead in the division. The list is endless.
The news reporter in me sets the stage, relaying to fans the basics…team records…who is hot..who is not…matchups effecting the potential outcome..the weather and how it might effect what happens…any injuries that could have a bearing on the game. What I am talking about here simply provides a rock solid connection among fans, players, the game and its potential result.
(Trust me, when I plan out my day as far as pregame preparation goes, it’s nowhere nearly this wordy or technical, but more a touchy-feely, instinctive approach, borne from years of reporting news. That instinct remains a constant, in the mind, editorial process of what to put in and leave out. The play by play craft represents the best of an off the cuff, off the top of one’s head, adrenaline rush–just like news.)
Here’s another interesting parallel.
During my news reporting days, I wore out telephones, ran up huge long distance charges, drove bosses crazy with mobile phone and then cell phone charges, until they quite rightly realized, I was doing my story preparation. Very simply, I was educating myself on the topic, be it politics, a police or business scandal, or any other story I might find myself pursuing. Guess what? To this day, I do the same thing preparing for a baseball game.
Why do I do that?
Well, I have nowhere near the talent-judging knowledge possessed by my great friends in the scouting industry. So every single day, as I get ready for a game, if I do not know, let’s say a particular starting pitcher, I will be on the phone for as much as half an hour with a scout who has seen the pitcher before. This scout will have assessed the pitcher’s strengths and weaknesses. He’ll not only know his physical skills, but his mental makeup as well. And, same as I did in the news business, I take detailed notes. Candidly, I might only use a line or two from my half hour discussion, but what I gleaned possesses tremendous value for fleshing out word pictures for the night’s game.
Another parallel involves constant dialogue with front office personnel, managers, coaches, trainers, players, and anyone tangentially involved with this great game. Good reporters, like good play by play broadcasters realize change remains constant. So, discussions and updates must remain constant. In conclusion, neither profession does a very good job of hiding folks who don’t love talking about the craft, or love being around others actively involved. But then, you knew that.
Capps has called Round Rock Express baseball for 10 seasons. He has worked on-air and behind-the-camera for WFAA-TV in Dallas/Fort Worth, for ABC News in St. Louis and KPRC-TV in Houston. While working for CNN, Capps covered the Gulf War as well as the Waco Siege, which garnered him an Emmy Nomination and a CableACE Award.