College Basketball Broadcast Season Coming To An End

It's hard to believe, but the college basketball regular season is coming to an end shortly.  This season really flew by, with this being my busiest college basketball season on the broadcasting front.  I had the good fortune of being on the microphone for roughly 75 games this winter @ the Division I, II and III levels.  It all started in early November with my first appearance on the McKendree Men's basketball front with 'Meet the Bearcats' night for Harry Statham's team.  In one way or another, every team I called games for this season had success, with SIUE Women's Basketball having the most successful season. 

There is nothing like College Basketball.  I agree that March Madness is the best time of the year, but to me, the whole season is special.  Getting the chance to see a team and players progress from November to March is a real treat.  With SIUE now in the Ohio Valley Conference, checking the standings and following the rest of the league is exciting and makes the season even better.  I'm excited to be able to do that next season with McKendree becoming members of the Great Lakes Valley Conference.

One of the things I enjoy most about my job is traveling to the different campuses and arenas.  My first trip of the season was to Assembly Hall @ the University of Illinois.  That was a real joy for me, getting to call that game with Joe Pott.  One of my favorite arenas I visited was SIU Arena @ SIU Carbondale.  I made it there twice this season, once for SIUE WBB and once for MBB.  It's an oustanding arena and one of the best I visited. 

While I love radio and everything that goes into a radio broadcast, it was exciting to do TV games this season.  Joe Pott and I had the fortune of being a part of TV broadcasts all season for SIUE WBB and MBB.  Numerous MBB games aired on KPLR 11.2 while every home game for both team's aired on SIUE TV.  That meant TV opens, halftime and postgame hits, the usual TV broadcast kind of things.  Not only did I get the chance to grow as a radio broadcaster, but I also grew on TV during the season.  Can't ask for much more than that.

At least one college basketball broadcast remains for me.  SIUE finishes up the regular season on March 8th with a home game against the SEC's Arkansas Razorbacks, who beat #9 Tennessee on Thursday in Knoxville (impressive).  With an 18-9 record (12-4 OVC), the Cougar WBB team has a chance to play in the WNIT.  They of course aren't eligible for the OVC Tourney and the NCAA Tourney because of this being the final year of transition to D1, but they are still eligible for the WNIT.  That would be a huge day for SIUE Athletics if SIUE WBB gets invited to the WNIT.

I'll stay busy in the Spring with roughly 60 broadcasts scheduled between SIUE Softball and McKendree Baseball.  My spring broadcast schedule begins this coming Saturday with SIUE Softball from the Coach B Classic @ SIU Carbondale.  The Cougars have Northern Illinois and Western Illinois on Saturday and Wright St and tourney host SIUC on Sunday.  McKendree baseball broadcasts get underway next Saturday.  Can't wait!

         -Adam Young

Baseball Season Underway/Player's Chasing A Dream

Baseball began @ GCS Ballpark earlier today as Lindenwood-Belleville broke in the new field turf (photo courtesy of Paul Baillargeon/ActionImaging.com) with a doubleheader against Southeastern Illinois College.  It wasn't Grizzlies-Rascals or Grizzlies-Miners, but it was great to see baseball back @ GCS Ballpark.  I know I'm starting to get baseball fever.  Watching pitchers and catchers reporting and watching recent practices at GCS, I'm getting that baseball itch again.

I've said it before on my blog and I will say it again, it doesn't matter what sport I'm calling, I just love being behind the microphone.  I enjoy the challenge of describing the action on the court, field or ice.  With that said, I was reminded today at GCS Ballpark why minor league baseball is so great..

During game one of Lindenwood-Belleville's doubleheader, I peeked my head outside of the Grizzlies front office to watch a couple minutes of the action (I find myself doing this quite often)..and then I saw a familiar face walking along the concourse.  I waited a while to make sure it was him and then I made my way over to say hi.  It was recent Grizzlies signing, Aaron Conway.  He's a Troy, IL native and a former Triad Knight.  I introduced myself and had a nice chat with the former Missouri State outfielder.  We talked about the team, his off-season workouts, the bus rides to come this season and his former college teammates that are members of the Grizzlies.  His excitement was evident..every time he brought up the season, his face lit up.  You could tell the passion and anxiousness.  Aaron told me, "I can't wait to get going..I wish we started tomorrow."  He's getting the chance to not only play professional baseball, but he's going to do it close to home in front of family and friends.  After we got done chatting, he went into the Grizzlies Baseball Academy and took some hacks as he began preparation for his first professional baseball season in a couple of months.  I know I'm the broadcaster and shouldn't have favorites, but Aaron makes it easy to root for success on his part. 

As time wore on today, it dawned on me.  Sometimes I forget what's so great about minor league baseball and how lucky I am to be around it.  No one loves the the long bus rides and long hours that that go along with minor league baseball, but sometimes we forget why we are here.  With Aaron and every other player that will report to GCS Ballpark in early May, there is a dream...a dream to make it to the next level and eventually the Major Leagues.  Myself and the fans get to take part in the crazy ride to that dream with the players.  Former Grizzlies outfielder Jason Patton recently got a chance to move on and play at the next level with his signing with the Arizona Diamondbacks.  It couldn't happen to a better guy and a harder worker.  To say he's deserving of this chance is an understatement.  That's what minor league baseball is all about.  I'm thrilled to spend another season with the Grizzlies, watching the player's chase after their dreams. 

87 days until Gateway Grizzlies Opening Day!

     -Voice of the Gateway Grizzlies, Adam Young

Grizzlies Trade 'Ace' Mark Brackman

Hello all!  Roughly three months after trading away top slugger Charlie Lisk, Grizzlies Manager Phil Warren has traded away top pitcher Mark Brackman (all photos courtesy of Paul Baillargeon/Action Imaging.com).  The tall right-hander from Kansas City has beeen the team's ace since he arrived to town in 2009.  Brackman was traded to the Lancaster Barnstormers of the Atlantic League for a player to be named later. 

Bottom line:  It gives Mark a better chance to make it to affiliated ball.  He was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 16th round of the 2007 MLB Draft.  Back then, he was a thrower, now he's a pitcher.  Brackman has been mowing down hitters the last two seasons.  Before he was traded, many people said he was the best pitcher in the league (I agree).  Often times the question was asked to me.."why isn't Brackman in affiliated ball?"  My answer was always, "don't worry, he'll get his shot again."  While he isn't back in affiliated ball yet, I feel like a good start to the season in Lancaster will leapfrog Brackman into a signing. 

Lancaster is the same organization Scott Patterson went to after his time with Gateway (Patterson was also 26 at the time).  Patterson, of course, eventually made his Major League debut with the New York Yankees in 2008.  I never saw Scott Patterson pitch while at Gatway, but the two have similar body types and put up similar numbers in a Grizzlies uniform.  This is a GREAT opportunity for Brackman.  I have a feeling we are going to be talking about Brackman for year's to come.  Big things are ahead for the 6-7 righty..here's hoping he gets a fair shot. 

Taking a final look at Brackman's numbers at Gateway:  He started 55 career games, while notching 26 wins.  He completed 10 games during his career, compiling 380 2/3 innings and striking out 332 career batters.  Brackman wraps up his Grizzlies career tied for the all-time lead in shutouts with three and one shy of Gateway's all-time complete games mark.  He won 13 games in 2010, while going 10-0 in the second half of the season.  In 2011, Brackman finished with a 2.15 ERA, the lowest ERA for a Gateway starter in a single-season. 

As a Grizzlies fan, you knew that your team was going to have a great chance to win every time he took the mound.  It was a joy watching big #40 toe the rubber.  He will be missed.  It's time now to sit back and watch his career take off. 

Side note:  A big congratulations to former Grizzlie Jason Patton on being signed by the Arizona Diamondbacks.  Well deserved for Jason!

     -Voice of the Grizzlies, Adam Young  

Grizzlies Re-Sign Carillo and Harris/Add Cale Johnson

Hello all:

The Grizzlies have re-signed two players and added a new player since I posted last.  Starting pitcher Erick Carillo and middle infielder Brian Harris return for their second season with the Grizzlies, while starting pitcher Cale Johnson joins the 2012 Gateway roster. 

Carillo (pictured right:  photo courtesy of Paul Baillargeon/ActionImaging.com)  had some impressive outings in his short time with the Grizzlies last season after coming over in a trade with River City.  He will compete for a spot in an already deep Grizzlies rotation.  Skipper Phil Warren has a lot of arms to choose from, which is a good thing.  Carillo is a former 19th round pick of the Marlins in '09.  He had two good years in the Marlins organization before getting released and joining River City's rotation.  The upside on Carillo is high.  I expect to see great things from him this season. 

Harris (pictured left: photo courtesy of Paul Baillargeon/ActionImaging.com)  is also a former River City Rascal.  He was traded to Gateway in June 2011 for slugger Jason Patton.  Brian played second and shortstop for Gateway last season.  He has shown he can be slick with the glove, but has been inconsistent at the plate.  Harris spent a year in the Tampa Bay Rays orgnaization after an impressive college career at Vanderbilt, where he was an all-SEC selection.  Brian will compete for a spot in the Grizzlies middle infield during Spring Training. 

Johnson (pictured right:  photo courtesy of McKendree University Sports Information) is the newcomer among the trio.  He's a well-known name in the area because of his college success on the mound at McKendree University in Lebanon, IL.  Cale went 21-7 in his final three seasons at McKendree before getting drafted in the 41st round of the 2009 MLB Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals.  Johnson spent 2009-2011 in the  Cardinals organization.  In 2011, he pitched exclusively out of the bullpen with single-A Quad Cities.  His numbers weren't eye-popping, but they weren't poor by any means.  Johnson was in the bullpen for the River Bandits and got lost in the shuffle.

Gateway is giving Johnson a new opportunity.  Warren told me earlier today that Johnson goes into camp projected as one of the Grizzlies starters.  He's hoping that Gateway will give Cale a chance to make it back to affiliated ball as a starting pitcher, just like he started his journey.  The rotation is really starting to look strong for the 2012 season.  Johnson figures to be a key part of that strong rotation. 

101 days until Gateway Grizzlies opening day.  Are you ready??  I can't wait!

    -Voice of the Grizzlies, Adam Young