Just...Nothing. Then...Something

The Homecoming Court at Greenwich yesterday

I've got the ALCS on TV (quick note: last night's post was the lowest-read of the year so far).

The Steelers and Chargers are on my iPad. It's 24-10 black and gold, so I'm content.

I've been sitting here for a few hours, and I literally have nothing I want to dive into tonight.

I've tried and tried. Rank Yankees broadcasters? Nah. Nobody will read. Go on a rant? Nah. I've done enough of those. I need to not be such a downer.

I asked Chico the large gray cat at one point and his response was as expected: "Meow."

Then he left.

So I texted Susan. Her reply gave me something to think about: "What about how to keep a broadcast lively when it's a blowout?"

Yesterday was an example.

There are games that I know are going to be bad, and the recipe was perfect yesterday.

Westhill High School has never had success with Greenwich in football.

I mean never.

Since I've been around, each game has been a Greenwich win by a wide margin (save for twice).

Westhill got the ball on an onsides kick but GHS intercepted the ball on the next play. Right after that, it was 7-0 Greenwich. Then 13-0 and so on, until it was 34-0 at the end of the first quarter, and 40-0 on the first play of the second.

Final score: Greenwich 50, Westhill 6. In fact, the most excitement was the points scored by the Westhill Vikings, as that was the first time they found the endzone in 2019, and it happened on the final play of the game.

As for the booth, it was an experience. Chris Erway was away. Chris Kaelin had to umpire baseball. Matt Hamilton had a family commitment. I reached out to a few others.

Nothing. I was solo.

I opened the broadcast talking about the history between the two teams. One thing I believe in is being honest. There are ways to do that while still recognizing it's a high school football game with young athletes.

I also believe in respecting those athletes.

From there, the focus was on calling the action. That doesn't change whether I'm alone or with a partner.

Chris Erway and I have been known to delve into other topics when the game gets out of hand, ranging from music to other sports.

Some keep a list with them in their myriad notes. I use my memory and glance at the internet as necessary to adjust to any news.

As with a blog, there are always things to talk about.

Sometimes it's the shout outs, like former "Voice of Cardinal Stadium" Dick Leonard, who is normally listening in Florida.

That's the thing. This can't be scripted. The ability to adjust and ad-lib is literally everything.

So that's what I do.

There's even the harsh reality of the game itself, because 33-0 the previous week against winless Bridgeport Central and 50-6 against winless Westhill is good for nobody, and that includes Greenwich.

Seriously, how does that help anyone?

Yeah. Ponder that. Two games and a combined score of 83-6.

But, first and foremost, the game is the star. Not me. Not Chris or any other broadcaster. It's the game and the athletes.

So, no matter what, calling the game comes first. From there, it's finding things to keep listeners and viewers engaged and entertained.

Report. Inform. Educate. Entertain.

It's that simple.

Thanks, Susan, for the inspiration.