John Leahy, Kalamazoo Kings and Merrimack College broadcaster

CALLING THE GAME

Note: In the development of this page, selected information was used from outside sources. These sources have been identified at the bottom of this page, with my sincerest thanks. To visit my homepage, please click here.

 Welcome to the broadcasting section of this site. This space is designed to describe what goes into a typical football television broadcast. Football preparation takes a week to complete in order for an announcer to be fully ready for the telecast. The first order of business is to learn the ballhandlers first and any relevant statistics that would support knowledge learned. Memorization work is critical in terms of studying linemen, and special teams players. The goal is to know who a player is without looking at the roster. It is also important to have statistical information such as standings and individual stats at hand as well. The more information that can be accumulated, the more informed the audience will be.

Upon arrival at the stadium the video equipment is assembled and audio feeds are run. Perfection with the equipment must be achieved, because what is seen at the stadium will be what the viewer sees at home. After  satisfaction with the equipment has been achieved, information is reviewed, at which point the color announcer(s) will arrive. It is helpful to do a dry run with them so they won't be caught off guard. It is also customary  to check with P.A. announcers  for starting lineups and walk down to the field to check the playing conditions. This is why it is necessary to arrive on site 2 to 2 1/2 hours before kickoff, which is my personal preference.

A minute of black is recorded prior to each game so that we can insert a prerecorded video opening after the telecast at the studio. After all of this preparation is complete,  fading up from black occurs and the pre-game analysis begins. Introductions are handled, first the play-by-play announcers and then the color commentators, at which point the focus now turns on the relevance of the game at hand.  Key points and matchups that could affect the outcome of the game are discussed. My favorite pre-game segment is to discuss past scores during the pre-game and describe how they relate to the game at hand.  In addition ,a productive segment involves going around the league and talking about the other games in the league for the weekend, with the color commentators providing analysis and predictions. The pre-game show concludes with  the starting line-ups.

It is then time to provide the play-by-play description of the game with concise and relevant commentary using statistical information where appropriate. Play-by-play for football consists of basically commenting on down, distance to go, time remaining, tackler and ball carrier, with the color announcer filling in the blanks. At halftime   first half statistics are reviewed and analysis of what has happened takes place. A useful approach is to predict keys to the second half.

Commentary is continued in the second half to the game's conclusion. At game's end, scoring plays in the context of analysis of the game are reviewed. Here it is relevant to update standings at this point and talk about  the standings. The next telecast is then previewed  for the viewers, as kind of a sneak peek. At this point it is time to sign off and say goodbye.

SPOTTING BOARDS

One of the tools of the trade that we use as broadcasters is called a spotting board. This special board is constructed by the play-by-play announcer (usually made of cardboard) and is used to instantly identify vital stats and information on any player quickly. Typically, for football, the offense is located on one side of the board and the defense is located on the other side. The key is instant recognition. Spotting boards should contain a player's number and last name, along with first name, nickname, height, weight, number of years in the league (or year in college), and colleges or hometowns. Other data on the board can be stats, quotes, or stories about the player. This vital  information is coded by the announcer in a method that works for him or her. It could be color-coded, or the use of certain symbols may be employed. It is a matter of personal taste and preference as to which method to use.

INFORMATION FOR SPOTTING BOARDS COME FROM THESE PRIMARY SOURCES :

1) A current depth chart (starting lineups and backups by position);

2) The previous game's speed card (a quick reference roster);

3) The previous game's stat sheet ( a summary of game stats);

4) The previous game's play-by-play sheet ( a chronology of plays and their results);

5) A team's media guide, press releases, and/or newspaper clippings.

For more information on my spotting boards, visit my homepage or E-mail me to learn more.

My personal philosophy of sports broadcasting is that the play-by-play announcer needs to be both informative and entertaining concurrently. It is a delicate balance that we strive for. In the medium of TV, the pictures obviously tell the story. One needs to be skillful at describing what the viewer sees, while providing the audience with information that the camera doesn't always pick up. Additionally, it is crucial to develop a good working relationship with the color analyst. And above all, it's important to remember that sports is fun. 

Here are some examples of information to discuss during the pre-game warm-up:

- Anticipated starting lineups, with player numbers.

- Profiles of opposing coaches.

- Officials.

- Broadcasters and newspapers covering the game.

- Scores of previous games.

- Schedule of upcoming games.

- Other conference/divisional games that day or week.

- Information on the series rivalry between the teams.

- Statistics relative to the rivalry.

- Year-to Date team and individual statistics.

- Record breaking statistics.

- Thumbnail sketches of leading players on both teams.  

Here is a breakdown of the job descriptions of first the play-by-play announcer and then the play analyst. Ideally, in a perfect broadcast, both announcers will have satisfied all of these requirements:

PLAY BY PLAY ANNOUNCER:

1. Communicate the important events in a game and provide interpretation where appropriate.                              

2. Provide a radio audience with more information than is necessary for a telecast.

3. Be prepared to talk intelligently during baseball rain delays.

4. Never make events in a game more important than they are.

5. Do not overuse sports cliches.

6. Only discuss statistics if you have them in hand or firmly in mind.

7. On television, interpret events and comment on things not picked up by the camera.

8. When doing television play-by-play, avoid the extremes of too much or too little commentary.

9. Never guess about the severity of injuries.

10. Do not ignore fights, but do not sensationalize them. (no fighting allowed in high school games).

11. Do not guess about information.

12. Repeat the score at frequent intervals.

13. Give scores of other games without interfering with the game at hand.

14. Take care of first things first.

15. Do not keep telling the audience how great the game is.

16. If you cannot immediately identify a player, cover the play then give the name when you're sure of it.

17. Learn where to look for the information you need (i.e. scoreboards, etc.)

18. Do not rely on scoreboard information.

19. Give statistics and records.

20. Avoid adopting meaningless catch phrases.

21. Avoid overuse of the word "situation."

22. Use background sounds to your advantage.

23. Reach an agreement with the color analyst on pronunciations of names.

COLOR ANALYST:

1. Never repeat what the play-by-play announcer says either directly or by paraphrasing.

2. Do not feel compelled to comment on every play. If you have nothing to report, remain silent.

3. Be precise in your commentary.

4. Do your homework on both teams- this helps the play-by-play announcer.

5. Report objectively what you see. Report the dramatic structure of the game without overdramatization.

6. Never correct the play-by-play announcer on the air. This creates conflict and tension. Pass a note instead.

7. State differing points of view as long as the conversation remains friendly.

8. Ask questions with care. Play-by-play announcers can draw a blank when concentrating on a game.

9. Follow the rules of the play-by-play announcer. Speak on cue-the play-by-play announcer is the traffic cop.

10.Never interrupt the play-by-play announcer when a play is in progress. End before the next play begins.

11. Do not set the situation for the audience. This is the job of the play-by-play announcer.

To be an excellent color commentator, it is vital to be able to develop the ability to explain what is going to happen next for the audience, as well as commenting on what just happened.

Here are the philosophical objectives of a sports broadcast. These 7 objectives are the hallmark of a great broadcast. If a broadcast team can satisfy these objectives, the broadcast will be deemed a success.

1) ACCURACY : Be correct in the reporting of information. Be informative and do not compromise your level of accuracy.

2) FAIRNESS: Be fair in your reporting. Learn both sides of the issues and be objective.

3) ANALYSIS:  Present the facts in a manner that gives impact to the events. Tell why and how things happened. Lend perspective to the events as they unfold.

4) DOCUMENTATION:  Capture the event, including the color, pageantry, and excitement. Help the viewer (or listener) experience the event. Innovate to improve audio and show events from a new perspective.

5) CREATIVITY:  Develop story lines. Take the viewer (or listener) beyond the obvious. Entertain and inform with graphics, vignettes, and elements the audience hasn't seen or heard before. Update these story lines when appropriate.

6) CONSISTENCY:   Maintain your level of ambition throughout the season. Each game is another opportunity to succeed, but all people on the crew must stay motivated. Avoid complacency; this causes a drop in performance.

7)  FLEXIBILITY: Follow established formats, but treat every game as a new event. Avoid patterns that diminish creativity.

MY TOP 20 FAVORITE PLAY-BY-PLAY ANNOUNCERS OF ALL TIME:

Here are my favorite play-by-play announcers. These guys really brought the game home for me!

1) Fred Cusick, Boston Bruins (TV) - As solid as they come. A tremendous play caller  who covered the Bruins for many years. The Rolls- Royce of hockey announcers. May he rest in peace.

2) Ron Weber, Washington Capitals (radio)-  Ron did the Caps games on the radio throughout the 70's, 80's , and 90's. His precision and  attention to detail was extraordinary.

3) Vin Scully, Los Angeles Dodgers (radio) - Vin has been the voice of the Dodgers for over 50 years. His ability to paint the picture for his Dodgers audience is unequalled. He is a baseball legend behind the microphone.

4) Ned Martin, Boston Red Sox (deceased) - Ned was a solid announcer who not only covered the Red Sox but also did Harvard football on WHDH in Boston. He called some of the greatest games in Red Sox history, and it was a pleasure to listen to him. Mercy!

5) Bruce Martyn, Detroit Red Wings (retired)-  Broadcasting out of WJR in Detroit, Bruce was a seasoned play-by-play professional who made hockey exciting. With all due respect to Ken Kal, the Wings current announcer, it was a sad day in Detroit and for hockey when Bruce signed off.

6) Dan Kelly, St. Louis Blues (deceased)-  Dan Kelly had the most memorable voice in all of sports, in my humble opinion. His booming tones were heard on KMOX radio in St.Louis for many years, and he also called the Canada Cup series in the 70's. One of the all-time greats.

7) Jon Miller, San Francisco Giants/ ESPN Sports - Jon covered the Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles before heading west and joining ESPN Sunday night baseball. He makes the game entertaining with his wit, and he is a solid student of the game. 

8) Bob Wilson, Boston Bruins (radio) -  Bob was the radio voice of the Bruins for my entire lifetime until his retirement. Like Dan Kelly, Bob was known for his deep, booming voice. Many the nights were spent listening to Bob when the Bruins were on the West Coast. A diamond in this field.

9)  Gil Santos, New England Patriots (radio) -  Simply put, this man knows more about football commentary than most people have forgotten. A booming voice, entertaining wit, and a love for the game make Gil the best of the best behind the mike when it comes to football play-by-play.

10) Johnny Most, Boston Celtics radio (deceased) -  Sure, Johnny, was a homer. But the energy level he put into a game and his passion for it kept us all hooked in the '80's when the Celtics were making their championship run. Among the basketball elite, Johnny stands out as the best ever.

11) Dan Rusanowsky, San Jose Sharks (radio)-  The voice of the Sharks from day one, Dan is an excellent play-by-play announcer. He is knowledgeable through and through. And he's one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. Dan's inclusion in this list is a no-brainer.

12) Joe Tait, Cleveland Cavaliers - A Cleveland icon, Joe has done Cavs games for many years. Joe does not work with a color analyst. He breaks basketball down to it's barest essentials and makes it easy to grasp for anyone. A smooth, solid play-by-play professional.

13) Chuck Kaiton, Hartford Whalers/Carolina Hurricanes- Chuck was familiar to New England hockey fans when he covered the Whalers on WTIC in Hartford. He is right on target with his precise commentary and he also has his own unique brand of humor that serves him well. Thanks to the Internet, I can hear Chuck again doing Hurricanes games, and I'm thankful for that.

14) Jack Buck, St.Louis Cardinals and Monday Night Football (deceased) -  You would be hard pressed to find a better all around announcer than Jack Buck was. He was as smooth as silk. Whether it was baseball or football, Jack defined how the game should be called.

15) Dick Enberg, NBC and CBS Sports-  Oh my! Dick Enberg's roots in sports broadcasting go back to the '60's when he hosted " Sports Challenge." Dick has done it all- from NFL football to Major League Baseball to tennis. Like a fine wine, he gets better with each passing season.

16) Joe Starkey, San Jose Sharks (TV) , San Francisco 49ers (radio)-  Another long-time fixture behind the mike, Joe called the famous UCLA- Stanford game with the band interference, and he also did Colorado Rockies NHL hockey and San Jose Sharks hockey on TV and currently still covers the 49ers on the radio. Joe is one of the classiest men in the business. What a bonanza!

17) Pat Foley, Chicago Black Hawks-   Pat and the Chicago Black Hawks go hand in hand. I love how he modulates his voice. Pat is a Hall of Fame announcer in my opinion.

18) Gary Thorne, New York Mets and ESPN lead hockey announcer - Gary has one of the most recognizable voices in sports today. He is the best network hockey announcer alive today. A professional with a law degree, he's not too shabby doing baseball either!

19) Mike Emrick, New Jersey Devils, Versus (TV) - Another hockey legend, Mike covers the Devils on TV and also does the games for the NHL on Westwood One radio and  on Versus. No one knows more about hockey than Mike, and it shows.

20) Harry Kalas, Philadelphia Phillies (radio) - Harry Kalas was as smooth as they came. He did NFL films for many years, and then settled in to cover the Phillies on the radio. Philadelphia sports fans were lucky to be able to listen to this man on a consistent basis. Sadly, Harry passed away in April of 2009 prior to a baseball game between the Phillies and the Washington Nationals. He will be sorely missed.

You will notice that most of these announcers are hockey announcers. When I was young and growing up, I used to scan up and down the dial listening to any game I could get on the radio. Many a Saturday night was spent in this way!

SOURCES:  Radio and Television Announcing (Hyde)

                     Sports Broadcasting (Catsis) 

                     Call of the Game (Gary Bender)