Sportscasting Advice Part IIII: Basketball Play-by-Play

(NOTE: THIS WAS POSTED IN JANUARY 2014)
Hello all!  A year ago I did my first 'Sportscasting Advice' blog post and received some good feedback so it's time to continue the theme as I have some thoughts on basketball play-by-play.

I often get asked what my favorite sport is to call.  Without question it's basketball, and in particular
college basketball.  I love the pacing of the game and the challenge of calling a basketball game on radio.  I grew up playing the game and I tell people that if I didn't get into this profession, I would've went into coaching basketball.  Watching film with the team is exciting.  Preparing for a game is enjoyable.  Calling the game is a rush.  I prepare as hard as I can to make that two hour in-game span informative and enjoyable for the listener.

ADAM COLLEGE BASKETBALL HIGHLIGHTS

Here are some tips I have for young play-by-play guys doing basketball (I've touched on the generic stuff in previous posts so many of these tips are a little deeper..also a few of the tips are repeated from previous posts).

CRITIQUE YOURSELF
This college basketball season I've been listening to my tapes more than ever.  But I've changed my focus.  Now I'm paying close attention to my description and making sure I'm mixing up my wordage and making sure I'm painting a good enough picture.  The only words that I like to use often are right, left, far and near.  Reason being: those are indicators and they paint the best picture.  If I said a shot was 'good'..I don't want to say it that way on the next shot.  For example, if Michael Jones makes a floater and on the next possession Jerry Bailey makes a similar looking shot...instead of saying 'floater', I can describe it as a 'runner' or 'tear drop'. 


TIME AND SCORE
It sounds elementary, but time and score is what the listener needs.  This is the point of emphasis in every sport, not just basketball.  When I'm calling a basketball game, my goal is to give time and score every change of possession (doesn't always happen, but that's what I shoot for).  The key is, don't say it the same way every time..mix it up and keep it fresh for the listener.  For example, one possession you may say, "Jones brings it across midcourt with the Tigers ahead by 13."  Next possession you can say, "Williams sets up the Tigers offense between the circles..Tigers 37 Hawks 21 with under 4 to go in the opening half."  Keep in mind you don't have to give time and score at the same time.  If the offense is moving and you don't have time, mix it up and give one of them later in the possession if you get a chance.  Just keep in mind, your listener NEEDS this.  It's the most important thing in the broadcast.  Also, ALWAYS give time AND score when heading into a break and coming out of a break.  Don't leave the listener hanging.

BE ON TOP OF THE ACTION
Some of the best advice I've received in the business was from Bob Carpenter (Nationals TV Voice/National College Basketball PxP) who told me YOU NEED TO BE ON TOP OF THE ACTION.  When I asked him what that meant, he explained that when the ball goes through the basket my call of the made basket needs to be made as the crowd gets excited.  Same goes for a big steal, highlight dunk, etc.  Play-by-play guys can't be behind the action in basketball, they need to be on top of the action.

WHO HAS THE BALL?
Many of your listeners aren't familiar with all of the players on the floor, so do them a favor, and try to mention as often as possible which team has the ball.  For example, "Evans from three..no good front of the rim..Duke's Randolph leaps high for the defensive rebound."  Key words on a rebound are 'offensive/defensive'..lets the listener know if there is change of possession by saying defensive/offensive as often as possible.  Also, NEVER just say "Williams gets the rebound".  They 'snag, corral, leap high, weak side, front side, back side, ball side, strong side, right of the glass, in the lane, at the elbow, on the baseline.'  How did they get the rebound and where did they get it?

LISTEN TO OTHERS
Don't listen to others to try to mock their style when you call a game, but instead pay attention to the words they use when calling a game.  I listen to games as often as I can, but more than anything I listen to archived highlights of games to take away 'wordage'.  This year instead of constantly saying right wing or far wing, I've incorporated right arc and wing right.  Sure it's a subtle change, but it keeps things fresh.  I caught a couple of pxp guys using those terms in their broadcasts and have been able to use them.  Small change, sure..but small things like that can make me a better pxp guy.

DONT CONFUSE THE LISTENER
Earlier this year I heard a play-by-play guy use the term 'yo-yo dribble'.  I started using it in broadcasts until one night after a broadcast when talking to my mom (who is very knowledgeable about bball by the way) asked me what a yo-yo dribble was.  I had used that term a few times in the broadcast that night and she didn't know it meant.  Since I had to explain it to her, I decided to stop using that term.  If your listener doesn't understand the description, DON'T USE IT.  Remember you are doing this for the listener.  Don't get cute, just paint the picture.  I think I learned my lesson!
 
BACKGROUND INFO
Do your research.  You never know when you will need a factoid or tidbit.  This goes right along with being prepared.  I will admit though, it's tough to weave in background info when you're doing a college bball game on radio, especially when you have a partner.  The biggest thing happening is the play on the court so don't let 'background info' get in the way of the action.

BE PREPARED  
Finally, the key to everything is being prepared.  Be ready to go when you head on the air.  Don't ever head into a broadcast not ready to go.  Spend hours on your spotting boards putting them together and studying them.  You should head into the arena on gameday ready to go.  The more comfortable you are, the better your call will be.  I always know what the players look like before heading to the arena on gameday.  Therefore, when the action begins I don't need to continuously look down at my spotting board to see who #12 is or who #20 is.  By looking at them, I should be able to tell immediately who they are.  In order to sound prepared, you need to be prepared.

Here's a short list of college basketball play-by-play guys I enjoy listening to and recommend:

   *Randy Lee (Western Kentucky)
   *Joe Pott (SIUE)
   *Mike Ries (SIUC)
   *Brian Barnhart (Illinois)
   *Paul Keels (Ohio State)
   *Matt Lepay (Wisconsin)
   *Wyatt Thompson (Kansas State)
   *Neal Bradley (Murray State)
   *Bob Ramsey (Saint Louis)
   *Dan Hoard (Cincinnati)
   *Russ Eisenstein (Ohio)
   *Don Fischer (Indiana)

Hope you enjoyed the blog post.  Have a great call!

    -Adam Young

Grizzlies Update: Early January

Hello all!  It's the start of a new year and things are starting to heat up as far as player signings for the Gateway Grizzlies.

Grizzlies manager Phil Warren signed 4 new players recently  & has announced that many of the key players from 2013 are returning (story @ www.gatewaygrizzlies.com).

Here's my chat with Phil from earlier today.

JANUARY MANAGER'S CHAT

So it looks like Landon Hernandez, Tim Brown, Ja'Vaun West, Chris McClendon, Jonathan Johnson, Jake Stephens, Richard Barrett, among others will be back for another year.

It seemed like Phil's two biggest goals in the offseason were retaining Hernandez and Brown, who are two of the best in the league.  Lando is coming off a career-year in which he batted .290 with 16 HR and 65 RBI.  Tim has been as steady as they come as far as starting pitchers are concerned.  Great to have those two in a Grizzlies uniform for another season.

Phil also mentioned the move of Richard Barrett from the bullpen to the rotation.  So it appears Justin Erasmus will be the closer for the Grizzlies heading into the upcoming season.

The big question mark as of right now appears to be the outfield.  With the loss of Antone DeJesus, Jon Myers and Jet Butler, the Grizzlies don't have any returning starting outfielders.  Alex Guthrie, who was a utility player and saw some OF action, has announced his retirement so he won't be an option.

As stated in a previous post, former N.C. State OF Brett Williams is an intriguing CF who could contribute right away.

We'll see in May.  GO GRIZZLIES!

   Voice of the Grizzlies, Adam Young

@SIUECougars/@SIUSalukis Continue Rivalry Monday Night

The SIUE Cougars battle in-state rival SIUC Monday night at SIU Arena in Carbondale.  The two teams meet for the third straight season with the Cougars looking for their first-ever win against the Salukis
(0-5 all-time).

It's safe to say this matchup is the most-anticipated game each season for Cougar fans who are looking for braggin' rights with their rivals two hours to the south.  On paper, the matchup looks close to even, but the Cougars have struggled in the past against the Salukis, especially on the road @ SIU Arena.  Two seasons ago SIUC comfortably beat SIUE 80-57 in Carbondale and last season it was a 71-55 Salukis win in front of a sold-out crowd @ Vadalabene Center.

The biggest key to a Cougar win Monday night is defense.  Opponents are averaging 81 ppg against the
Cougars this season while shooting 51% from the field and 41% from three.  If the Cougars are going to win the game they will need to keep the Salukis in the 60-70 point range.  SIUC averages 69 ppg, but outside of star players Desmar Jackson (21ppg) & Anthony Beane Jr. (12ppg), their options are limited on offense.  In my opinion the Cougars doing enough offensively to win games right now.

Notes
  *SIUE has lost three straight games and are currently 0-5 on the road.
  *This is SIUE's third straight road game.
  *The Cougars have allowed 80 points or more in their last two games.
  *SIUC star forward Desmar Jackson has 20+ points in 6/11 games
  *The Salukis avg only 9 assists p/game, which is 340th/351 teams in the nation.

Looking forward to being on the call with Joe Pott Monday night @ SIU Arena.  Tune into the broadcast on the Cougar Radio Network starting with the pregame show @ 6:50. 

Sportscasting Advice: Part III

College basketball season is underway & basketball broadcasters across the country are trying to knock off the rust and get in rhythm as they call their first couple of games.

This is the time of the year when I listen to my games (and others) the most, trying to improve and sharpen my call.  I get a good number of emails from young broadcasters asking me "how can I get better
on the air and what do I need to improve on."  The best answer is get reps..the more you do it, the better you will be.  But the deeper answer is to focus on certain areas.  Below is a sample of my play-by-play from the SIUE/Missouri WBB game yesterday @ Mizzou Arena.  Also below are a few things I always keep in mind when I'm doing a broadcast and listen for when I listen back on my calls.
  
PLAY-BY-PLAY

TIME AND SCORE:  It sounds elementary, but time and score is what the listener needs.  This is the point of emphasis in every sport, not just basketball.  When I'm calling a basketball game, my goal is to give time and score every change of possession (doesn't always happen, but that's what I shoot for).  The key is, don't say it the same way every time..mix it up and keep it fresh for the listener.  For example, one
possession you may say, "Jones brings it across midcourt with the Tigers ahead by 13."  Next possession you can say, "Williams sets up the Tigers offense between the circles..Tigers 37 Hawks 21 with under 4 to go in the opening half."  Keep in mind you don't have to give time and score at the same time.  If the offense is moving and you don't have time, mix it up and give one of them later in the possession if you get a chance.  Just keep in mind, your listener NEEDS this.  It's the most important thing in the broadcast.  Also, ALWAYS give time AND score when heading into a break and coming out of a break.  Don't leave the listener hanging.

WHICH TEAM HAS THE BALL?:  Many of your listeners aren't familiar with all of the players on the floor, so do them a favor, and try to mention as often as possible which team has the ball.  For example, "Evans from three..no good front of the rim..Duke's Randolph leaps high for the defensive rebound."  Key words on a rebound are 'offensive/defensive'..lets the listener know if there is change of possession by saying defensive/offensive as often as possible.  Also, NEVER just say "Williams gets the rebound".  They 'snag, corral, leap high, weak side, front side, back side, ball side, strong side, right of the glass, in the lane, at the elbow, on the baseline.'  How did they get the rebound and where did they get it?

TAKE DESCRIPTION TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL:  What separates the good broadcasters from the great ones is description.  Try to describe the action the best you can.  The best descriptive basketball play-by-play guy I listen to is Randy Lee, the Radio Voice of Western Kentucky University.  I started listening to Randy when I was in college, reached out to him then and now he's one of my mentors and we
stay in touch often.  He sends me audio of his, I save it and listen to it to try and get better.  The best way to become a more descriptive broadcaster is to listen to guys like Randy and also study descriptive terms.  To the right is a sheet I put together that I study often, which helps me during my broadcasts.

STORYLINES:  Something I started to do during the 2012 baseball season is write down 'storylines' on a note card prior to the game and reference that during the game.  What's at stake?  Why is this game important?  Let the listeners know consistently during the game.  For me, having that written down prior to the game is helpful.  I use this during basketball season now as well.
 
WHERE IS THE ACTION AT?  Remember, the listener CAN'T see what's going on.  Therefore, help the listener visualize by giving indicators, relative to where you are sitting and seeing the action..how big is the arena, what color are the uniforms, where is the team's bench relative to where you are sitting, where are the home team fans sitting, is the conferences logo in the lane?  Refer to it if so.  "For example, Missouri is moving left to right."  "Davis will shoot one more free throw to our right."  "Pepperdine head coach Mike Jone screams out the orders from the far right bench."  "Michaels zig-zags across midcourt in his home white uniform trimmed in red."

PREPARE, PREPARE, PREPARE?  Finally, the key to everything is being prepared.  Be ready to go when you head on the air.  Don't ever head into a broadcast not ready to go.  Spend hours on your spotting boards putting them together and studying them.  You should head into the arena on gameday ready to go.  The more comfortable you are, the better your call will be.  I always know what the players look like before heading to the arena on gameday.  Therefore, when the action begins I don't need to continuously look down at my spotting board to see who #12 is or who #20 is.  By looking at them, I should be able to tell immediately who they are.  In order to sound prepared, you need to be prepared.

Hope this is helpful.  Feel free to email me for questions/advice (youngpbp@gmail.com).  Have a great call!

   -Adam Young

Grizzlies Release 2014 Schedule/Sign former N.C. State Star

Hello all!  The 2014 schedule is out for the Gateway Grizzlies, highlighted by the league all-star game coming to GCS Ballpark on July 14th.

Can't wait for the all-star week festivities with the Grizzlies hosting for the first time since 2003.  A lot of great things are planned with details coming out as the season gets closer.

Gateway opens up the regular season with their first six games at home.  The Traverse City Beach Bums will be the first opponent for the Grizzlies, coming in for a three-game series May 16-18.  Opening night is on a Friday night again and Sunday the 18th will be the always well-attended American Heart Association Day game.  GREAT crowds should be @ GCS Ballpark for the opening weekend.

Travel is rather light in the first half of the season.  The Grizzlies will make the Traverse City, MI, Avon,
OH and Washington, PA trips all in the second half.  Gateway heads to Traverse City to open the second half and the series' @ Lake Erie & Washington will be late in the year in August.

Gateway will have every Monday off in June and only three off days in August.  It appears that the schedule favors a good start to the season for the Grizzlies because of the amount of home games and little travel in the first half.  Will be interesting to see how it plays out.

Gateway will also have four EXH games, including one on Saturday, May 10th against the Wichita Wingnuts from the American Association.  Wichita's 2013 team featured former Grizzlies Ryan Khoury & Nick Walters.  They also had former St. Louis Cardinal, John Rodriguez.

SIGNING NEWS:
The Grizzlies recently signed former North Carolina State outfielder Brett Williams to a contract for
the 2014 season.

Williams had a solid career offensively with the Wolfpack, but is more well-known for his spectacular defense.

He batted .268 with 9 HR & 67 RBI during his 2 years @ N.C. State (122 games).

Williams was drafted in the 25th round by the DBacks in 2011 but decided not to go.  He was a 2013 Gold Glove recipient by the American Baseball Coaches Association & Rawlings.  He only committed 4 errors in college & is known for this amazing catch in a 2013 game that became a Sportscenter Top Play & generated 4.4 million views on youtube.

Welcome to Gateway, Brett!

   -Voice of the Grizzlies, Adam Young

First Post of the Offseason: Here Comes College Basketball

Hello all!  This is my first blog post of the 2013-14 offseason.  My fall broadcast schedule is wrapping up in the next couple of weeks and college basketball officially gets underway this coming week.  Great time of the year!

Can't wait for college basketball to get into full swing.  My college bball broadcast schedule started a couple weeks ago when I called the McKendree MBB EXH game @ Illinois.  Always neat to call a game at a great venue like State Farm Center (formerly Assembly Hall) and catch up with a guy who has helped me out in my career & is always available for advice, U of I Voice Brian Barnhart.

McKendree battled hard the entire game and actually had a double-digit first half lead.  I came away very impressed with the Bearcats and am looking forward to another year as McKendree Men's Basketball's PA Voice.  Harry Statham begins his 48th year as the 'Cats Head Coach starting this Friday night.  The all-time winningest coach in NCAA MBB history at the four year level.  LEGEND.

SIUE MBB starts their EXH season Mon night at Vadalabene Center.  Looking forward to working
alongside Cougar Voice Joe Pott for another year on radio.  Unfortunately, I haven't been able to see the Cougars yet this preseason (was @ U of I on the night of their Cougar Madness evening), but I LOVE their backcourt depth.  A lot of transfers this year for HC Lennox Forrester, who enters his 7th season.  They open up their season @ Arkansas Friday night.

By the way, the all-time leading scorer @ McKendree is Matt Laur, and he was promoted to Associate Head Coach @ SIUE in the offseason.  MUCH DESERVED.  I've seen Coach Laur work the last couple of years and his work ethic, passion and knowledge are impressive.  Future head coach at a high-level.  No question my favorite assistant to watch work.

SIUE WBB gets EXH play going on Tuesday night.  I'm entering my 3rd year as the Voice of SIUE WBB this season.  A lot of expectations for Paula Buscher's team with a talented group of FR coming in.  Paula will have her team ready to go starting with the opener @ Mizzou this coming SUN.

I'll also continue doing work @ SLU in the winter.  I've been doing SLU Volleyball in the fall & will fill-in doing WBB PA Friday night in their opener @ Chaifetz against Mizzou.  I have some games at Washington U. in STL and will be adding some more work in the next couple of weeks to my schedule.

Here's an example of my schedule from this Saturday through next Sunday.

Saturday: McKendree Football vs. Quincy
Sunday: McKendree Volleyball vs. Missouri S & T
Monday: SIUE MBB vs. Greenville (EXH)
Tuesday: SIUE WBB vs. Lindenwood (EXH)
Wednesday: Doing the Maryville U. coaches show w/ Jim Powers @ Mike Duffy's in Chesterfield
Thursday: OFF
Friday: SLU WBB vs. Mizzou @ 4:30 & then SLU Volleyball vs. Rhode Island @ 7 (tight squeeze)
Saturday: SLU Volleyball vs. VCU
Sunday: SIUE WBB @ Mizzou

Go Cougars, Bearcats, Billikens & Bears!

   -Adam Young

2013: A Season In Review Part I

Hello all!  Tonight is the final game of the 2013 season.  Despite the Grizzlies win last night at Southern Illinois, a Florence Freedom victory over Windy City eliminated the Grizzlies from the playoff race.  Gateway looks for a win tonight to finish their season 53-43.  The Grizzlies are looking for their third straight series win tonight.

There were some great moments this season..here's a few of them:

• Tim Brown throws the third no-hitter in Grizzlies history July 20th in a game at GCS Ballpark against the Lake Erie Crushers.

It was a phenomenal pitching performance by the ace right-hander from St. Louis who pitched the Grizzlies to a 9-0 win and put his name into the Grizzlies record book.  It was the first Grizzlies no-hitter
since 2008 and just the second ever at hitter-friendly GCS Ballpark.  Brown walked two batters, struck out four, threw 122 pitches and had to work around two ninth inning errors to notch the historic feat.

RADIO CALL TIM BROWN NO HITTER FINAL OUT

RADIO CALL TIM BROWN NO HITTER FINAL INNING

• Landon Hernandez picks up 3 HR and drives in 8 runs in a 14-4 August 3rd win at home against River City.

Hernandez tied the franchise and league record with 3 HR's while breaking the team record for RBI with 8.  Hernandez did all of that in the first four innings of the game.  He grounded out to the pitcher in his final two at-bats in the game.       

RADIO CALLS OF THE HERNANDEZ HOME RUNS

• Grizzlies send team-record nine players to the 2013 Frontier League All-Star game.

 The Grizzlies bombarded the All-Star game with 9 players.  Landon Hernandez, Chris McClendon, Jose Flores, Ja'Vaun West, Tim Brown, Zac Treece, Richard Barrett, Jon Myers and Antone DeJesus were all named to the team.  Of the 27 players on the West Division roster, 9 were Grizzlies.  With a 32-19 first half record, the Grizzlies coaching staff directed the West Division because of the division's best record.

• Jonathan Johnson plays in a team-record 96 games

Assuming he plays in tonight's series finale, Jonathan Johnson will break the team-record for games played with 96.  Ironically, 'JJ' breaks the record that Jon Myers and him set in '12 (95).  Johnson has only missed one game in his two years with the Grizzlies.  Impressive stuff.

In the coming weeks I'll have an extensive season review.  Let's get a W tonight!  Go Grizzlies!

   Voice of the Grizzlies, Adam Young