Retirement and Reality

 

Pittsburgh Steelers radio history display at the
Hall of Honor Museum, July 2023

Bill Hilgrove announced his retirement this morning.

Unless you're a Pittsburgh Steelers fan, a University of Pittsburgh fan, or, in general, a Pittsburgher, you might not know who that is.

Bill has been a staple in Pittsburgh for over 50 years, calling a variety of sports for Pitt and, eventually, doing Steelers for 30 years. He was also the sports director at WTAE-TV at one point.

He has done a schedule that would make me jealous but, mostly, I admire it.

Sometimes he's done Pitt basketball, football, and the Steelers all in the same weekend. Beyond that, he rarely missed covering anything. He made it work.

Yes. I very much admire that. It's right up my alley.

Personally, he has kept me company on many game days when I couldn't get the Steelers on TV and, actually, sometimes even when they were.

Before the satellite and internet radio days, I remember working the radio dial to pick up a far-off Steelers radio affiliate, which was normally WWVA 1170 AM out of Wheeling, WV. Of course, it needed to be a night game to do that to have the proper atmospheric conditions.

Then, eventually, along came SiriusXM and I would listen to Bill call the action. Of course, the inimitable Myron Cope was alongside with his "Hmm hahs," "yoi's," and so on. Former Steelers Tunch Ilkin and, eventually, current partner Craig Wolfley joined Hillgove. The outstanding reporter Missi Matthews and former Steeler Max Starks rounded out the on-air squad.

Now, they'll need a new play-by-play announcer.

NFL radio crews can be quite biased and the Steelers aren't immune to that. Most of the time, it was Hillgrove who kept things close to the middle, letting his excitement come out on big plays. That's when you knew who paid his check.

But listening to the highlights of Bill calling iconic Steelers moments brought me chills. He was on for the run to Super Bowl XXX, Troy Polamalu's AFC Championship-clinching interception, the James Harrison return in Super Bowl XLIII, and the Santonio Holmes sideline catch to win that game.

As I tweeted this morning, it was through his broadcasts that I picked up a term that I've used and have given him credit for it.

The term is "habeas grabus," and I use it in relation to penalties or even any fracas. In reality, it's for holding calls but I have a little fun with it.

Chris Erway always noted that one, along with my use of stanza for quarter and spinorama for, well, spinning plays.

But habeas grabus came from Hillgove and Cope.

The Steelers Broadcast Booth in the Hall of Honor Museum

When I posted about Hillgrove's stepping down from the Steelers' booth, I joked about keeping the seat warm.

Would I love to be the Steelers' radio broadcaster? Um...hello?!

But, realistically, there's a better chance of the Art Rooney statue outside Acrisure Stadium coming to life and singing the Steelers' fight song while recreating the Immaculate Reception.

Still, that's the very thing about this business or any business for that matter. I think I must always "dare to dream" but also live in reality.

It's one thing to dream of an opportunity opening up or someone reaching out with an offer because they like your work.

It's another thing to keep up a Pollyanna-ish fable of how I'm going to make the big leagues!

I have no illusions.

I like to daydream.

But when your work has achieved a level of respect wherever you are, that matters. And it matters a lot to me.

Sure, there's every solid reason that I can offer about why I'd be a great Steelers radio broadcaster. But you need to find the right way to bust open that door to have that conversation. Conversely, there are plenty of others thinking the same thing today and they are preparing their audio and résumé.

I'm fortunate and realistic about what I have.

Right now, I'm preparing to call the FCIAC basketball championship for the 15th time -- both boys and girls. That matters to someone.

Trumbull and Staples await at 7 p.m. at the Snake Shack in Wilton.

End of the Season

 

Oscar Miranda drives the Zamboni after the game

There's a moment where, even as a broadcaster, you still can't believe it.

The team you cover is the higher seed and, as a result, "expected to win," but we know that's so often fool's gold.

But this team was simply gold.

Still, any given Wednesday, in this case.

The sixth-seeded Salisbury Crimson Knights ended the Brunswick Bruins hockey season with a 3-1 win this evening.

The Knights won the quarterfinal matchup and next play Kimball Union on Saturday in the semifinals.

It could have been the Bruins. But that's not how it works. Salisbury played a really smart game and earned the win.

It's tough watching the team you cover lose because you build relationships with the coaches, players, and families. But, at the end of the day, you have to pack up and head home.

Sure, I was looking forward to covering the Bruins wherever they wound up, which could have gone as far as Boston. I had already offered Robcasting to the Bruins, knowing that the championships would have some kind of video streaming and I wouldn't be on that call.

So I was willing to do an audio-only call for Bruins fans. Call it an alternative broadcast. 

I truly treasure the relationship I've built with the Bruins' families and they're incredibly kind to me. There are grandparents and aunts and uncles and alumni who are tuning in and I give them my best.

But, they also think I'm a good luck charm. Indeed, the last time Brunswick played Salisbury -- just two weeks ago -- they were down 2-0 as I called basketball in the Dann Gym.

I walked upstairs, jumped on the hockey broadcast, and Brunswick scored four times after I got there. They won 4-3.

Still, we have no influence whatsoever. If we could, we'd all be rich.

I don't influence no-hitters or free throw streaks or field goals or goalie saves.

I have zero impact. I talk. I describe. I report. 

And, within reason, I don't make it about me. Let's face it, as conduits to the game, our own personalities have to drip in a bit.

But the ride is over with Brunswick hockey and basketball. I have such great respect for all involved.

Now, I'll freelance a bit with the Hudson Valley Vipers and anything else I get thrown before heading off to Florida.

Lacrosse and baseball will be waiting when I get back.

Baseball. Huh. I'm sort of fond of that sport. 

*****

With the help of Mike Buswell, I hosted a preview of the FCIAC boys basketball championship game tonight. It ran on Robcasting and Facebook Live. We recorded the Zoom video and I uploaded it to YouTube.

We think it's pretty good and worth your time. There's nothing fancy about it. It's just good content. We were blessed to have Staples head coach Dave Goldshore, Trumbull assistant coach Colin Devine, and Ludlowe head coach John Dailey join us. Staples and Trumbull meet in the championship.

I'll have the call of the game tomorrow night at 7 on YouTube and Robcasting.

Live! Can I Sleep?

In the chaos that is press row/VIP section at Wilton
(Please note I am not a VIP)

Two more games tonight.

I mean, don't set up a GoFundMe. I'm nothing special. I just write every day and, well, this is what you get.

So, yeah, two more games. 

The FCIAC basketball semis were tonight. Trumbull beat Danbury 47-41 and Staples knocked off top-seeded Ridgefield 73-57.

I attempted to pass along a fact about the last time both Staples and Trumbull won conference titles and it wasn't as smooth as I would have liked. That brought me some minor grief.

So it goes.

No need to use any energy on the negativity of the night. Sure, there was some but I was happy in my element. I was also happy seeing a lot of people that I know.

I had a parent come over after the game to introduce themselves. He told me I called his daughter's championship a few years back and he still plays my call of a big play occasionally. Things like that mean the world to me.

It's nice to feel like you make a positive impact even in a small way.

Next up is Brunswick and Salisbury in hockey. It's the playoffs for the Elite 8 and tomorrow is the quarterfinals. If the Bruins win then I'll have another game on Saturday. Win that and there might be a trip to Boston on Sunday.

Then it's back to Wilton and "The Snake Shack," so named for Wilton's own Lucy "Snakey" (and only I call it that). Staples and Trumbull for the boys FCIAC title. Someone is winning their first title in a long time and that was meant to be my point. 

But, right now, I want to sleep. At least some sleep.

I'm a big fan of zoning out and getting a few hours. Last night wasn't great though it's almost never great when I'm home.

Inevitably I'm awakened by something, be it age or my brain. Sometimes both.

Or, of course, by a cat.

I try listening to things though I haven't gone back to watching TV in the middle of the night. That was a big thing for me years ago. I'd go crash on the couch with some overnight thing on and watch that until I got tired enough to try to sleep.

Now, it's stare off into space, just close my eyes and hope I drift off or move out to the couch (aka love seat) and try to sleep.

When I'm away, I tend to have very hectic days and sleep comes a little easier. I still don't sleep all night (again, age) but I think it's at least a little bit better than at home.

For instance, I ran myself hard during the days of the Babe Ruth New England Regional in North Providence last summer. It was up early, get breakfast, then set up and call games at 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 4 p.m., and 7 p.m. I did the games alone and packed up.

Then I'd return to Providence for a late dinner and some decompressing before crashing in my room.

And, generally, I slept.

Well, tonight, I did two games and just feel done.

So, that's that. I'm going to try to sleep.

Deserving

This is version two of tonight's post.

My original version was likely too outspoken. Too blunt.

So I'm toning it down.

I've connected with a friend to call tomorrow's FCIAC boys basketball semifinals and the championship game on Thursday night. The games will air on YouTube and Robcasting.

My overall point of the post -- regardless of version -- is that championships and semifinals should be covered.

This is roughly where the post went off the rails so we'll avoid that.

I'm looking forward to heading over to the Snakey Dome in Wilton* and taking in the atmosphere as four teams vie for the title.

*No, of course, it's not called the Snakey Dome but maybe it should be.

The first game -- Trumbull against defending champion Danbury -- can be watched here at 5:30 p.m.

The nightcap -- Ridgefield vs. Staples -- will be available here at 7:15 p.m.

You can also listen to my call on Robcasting.

I'm always so proud to have my voice associated with these moments and I look forward to sitting courtside with my fellow media members.

Media coverage has changed since I arrived at WGCH in 1997. More local radio stations were interested in covering games as well as numerous newspapers.

Obviously, that's all gone away. WLAD in Danbury, WREF in Ridgefield, WSTC in Stamford, as well as WGCH were all in on broadcasting high school games at one point, along with the student broadcasters at WWPT in Westport.

Now, it's just WWPT and WGCH.

There are a few others around the state.

In recent years, schools have created student broadcasting outlets. They, however, can also be a victim of either budgets or interest.

Either way, these games deserve coverage. 

All of them.

I guess -- and again, this is where I risk going too far -- is when talking about who should be calling them. Obviously, I want to be involved in that process.

But we'll start with tomorrow.

Two games.

I've Said Enough. Really.

 

Byram Hills celebrates after winning today

Can I get a break tonight?

I've spoken enough words over four games since 3 p.m. yesterday. 

That was all basketball. Today was all hockey.

It's no worse than what anyone else does. It's taxing in its own way.

In either sport, you have to find different ways to talk about repetitive things. Not everything is a pass. It's shuffled, thrown, lobbed, lifted, tossed, popped, and whatever else my brain can grab.

And it's finding the right words, especially in high-leverage moments. These sometimes wind up on highlight reels and social media accounts.

So, for instance, in a slight state of shock at the end of today's Byram Hills-Pelham game, I said: "Byram Hills is going to win this thing!"

I have no idea where that came from and I hope people like it. I wish I knew where my brain went in that spot because it's not something I normally say.

It was a 4-3 win for the Bobcats in an upset of the Pelicans.

I was more conventional in Suffern's 4-0 win over Clarkstown.

"The Suffern Mounties with four. Down to two. They will celebrate. They've won Section One!"

Not exactly poetry or "my NHL voice" but it relays the message of a strong performance by the Mounties. It was 4-0 and never felt that close. They were just that good.

Also, let's not keep score because that's apparently all that happens. You say you've called four games this weekend and, inevitably, someone will feel the need to do in that they did five or whatever. It's nuts.

So I'm tapped out of big ideas and words tonight. In fact, I've come home to an empty apartment as Sean is at his mother's where he celebrated his birthday.

I've got The Cat, who has earned a new nickname: "Five."

As in, he'll try to wake me up at 5 a.m. 

But, let's face it, it could also be "Four."

I've been wearing my Air Pods again and listening to white noise to drown nonsense out as I try to sleep.

I wish those words weren't true. SiriusXM actually has a channel for that. 

Oh, and I neglected to mention another episode of "Meet the Beatles" came and went today.

Today was George Harrison's birthday, so I played a cross-section of music to represent him as performed by him and others. 

The show continues to find itself and while I know two hours would give me more room, I'm staying with an hour show for a few reasons, including hopefully leaving the audience wanting more every week.

I didn't get to watch or see it today, but the Yankees played baseball and it was broadcast. 

I like that.

Enough words have been written here for tonight. I'll do "Doubleheader" tomorrow and gear up for more games. Barring any changes, I'll call the semifinals in the FCIAC boys basketball tournament on Tuesday and will have the honor of doing play-by-play for the championship for the ninth time on Thursday. I think I've only called the football championship more times (11). 

That pleases me a lot.

Brunswick hockey has a big week coming up. They play Salisbury in the NEPSAC Elite 8 tournament beginning Wednesday. If they win that, they'll have a semifinal game before playing in the championship next Sunday. That game is at Harvard.

So, yeah. That might happen.

Oh, and Brien McMahon and Stamford are playing baseball in Cooperstown next month at Doubleday Field. I'm planning on taking Robcasting (and Sean) up for that but would be very interested in talking to anyone who would like to make it an audio/video effort.

And anyone interested in sponsoring/underwriting/getting us a hotel room.

Inquire within.

A Moment of Self-Reflection

 

As the lineups were introduced at Brunswick

Let me get this out of the way: Brunswick lost today.

Greenwich Country Day came to the Dann Gymnasium and took a large lead in the FAA Championship. A Bruins rally was too late and the Tigers stormed the floor to celebrate.

But let me go back to the beginning of the game.

The gym was full. I mean, it was packed. In fact, when I walked into the building, I needed the OK to go into the gym to set up. Security was keeping an eye on who stood on the side of the gym where I work.

I stand behind the scorer's table between the benches.

I finished my setup and walked out of the gym to sit in the lobby and eat my lunch.

Fans weren't allowed in the gym yet and a line was forming.

By the time the starting lineups were introduced, it was hard to hear anything.

But, prior to that, the National Anthem was played via saxophone.

And that's when it hit me.

Going back to the Colin Kaepernick brouhaha of several years ago, I spoke about what that moment -- when The Star-Spangled Banner sounds out at an event -- means to me.

I've felt this way for many years, in fact, going back to my youth. It grew as I got older.

It's a moment for me to pause and reflect, catching my breath before calling the game or even watching a game.

It's especially a time to honor my parents, both of whom taught me respect for that moment.

To that end, honoring my father, I don't resume until the last note is complete.

It's not some great jingoistic moment. 

To be honest, today in the Dann Gym, it was a moment of honor. I felt so blessed to be standing there in the raucous atmosphere where I got to deliver the play-by-play of this important game.

An audience is actually counting on me. There are people who are happy it's me calling the action.

That's what that moment meant to me. Patriotism? Sure. But it's a moment of peace.

Then it was time for me to deliver the details.

Unfortunately, the details were not to Brunswick's liking.

But I gave a fair and honest call, even having a moment of questioning the officials. I still don't quite agree with the technical foul on Jalen Pray for hanging on the rim but I respect the job of the officials.

So it's just a question because I couldn't understand but that's the way it goes, I guess.

I saw a thing on X/Twitter yesterday about "energy" as a broadcaster. That led to more preaching from the wings about NBA and NHL energy (when calling hockey) and how it's no longer 1954 and so on.

Er. OK.

I don't think it's my job to be an entertainer. Certainly, I hope my broadcasts are entertaining but it's honestly towards the bottom of things that I hope the audience is getting.

First and foremost, I want the audience to get the details of my reporting. You know, journalism.

So, Reporting.

Then I want you to pick up on the Information.

Then I want to Elaborate on that information while perhaps educating as needed.

Then, and only then, I want you to be Entertained.

R.I.E.E.

If we make you laugh, great. Or if we produce other emotions, well, OK.

But I'm not there to be a clown.

The bigger personalities in play-by-play have existed for years, going all the way back to Graham McNamee and Bill Stern and Ted Husing and Ty Tyson.

Then Rosey Rowswell and Dizzy Dean and even Bob Uecker and Phil Rizzuto.

Then Mike Lane and Gus Johnson to current "voices" who need witty phrases and screaming histrionics. To me, that's more about making it about them versus making it about the game.

Entertainers have always existed but most still reported.

It's to what extent you take the calls. The high-flying types are just never going to be my style. I'm not from the school of Gus Johnson but to each their own.

There are things I think that are just bad. But there's an audience for everyone and people get their jobs somehow. Damned if I know how because we know quality doesn't matter.

But I stick to doing my own thing. There are times I question if my energy is too high or if I get too loud.

But nobody will ever question my passion.

And so, after the emotions of the Brunswick/GCDS game, I headed over to the Westchester County Center to call the Woodlands/Westlake Class B semifinal game.

What a thrill. I've always wanted to be a part of the Section One tournament. While I love calling championship games, I was still pretty hyped up to call this one.

And Woodlands, from Hartsdale (where my dad was born), won this one.

Two more hockey games tomorrow.

Two more championships.

Live from Brewster.

But first, we'll honor George Harrison for his 81st birthday on "Meet the Beatles."

Join me on WGCH for that.

This is 22

 
Today is Sean's birthday.

Somehow, despite everything in life, I can say that I was part of producing something fantastic.

I've listed his attributes many times and I'm content to not be the dad who thrusts his kid in your face constantly. To that end, I'm sorry if you think I do.

I also don't try to live his life for him. There's a reason that I accepted it when Sean decided to stop playing baseball after five years.

I wanted him to be him. That's who he is.

He does things on his own time.

Yes, he's following in my footsteps in many ways and I'm sure there are those who are bothered by it but he's simply finding his way. So far, it's working just fine.

Eventually, there will be a parting of some kind. He'll veer off into whatever it is that he wants to do.

And we're not twins. Don't think that. Yes, we travel together and have similar interests. Yes, he looks a bit like me (and my dad). Yes, he's snarky like me.

Conversely, he'll never put a sporting event on TV. He likes to be on his headset talking to his friends while gaming.

He can break down stuff in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and likes Pokémon and other stuff that I don't necessarily get.

He collects Transformer figurines. I collect sports stuff.

He sleeps later than I do (he's 22 after all).

We each move to the beat of our own drummer.

But I don't know anyone who has anything bad to say about him. Not that I suppose anyone would tell me.

I treasure the memories. No matter what negative came out of that part of my life, I got a son. I always wanted to be a father and always believed I'd be a decent one.

I hit the jackpot with Sean. From the day he was born, he was a very easy child to raise.

That's not to say he didn't test me or make mistakes. Oh, he definitely did.

With Rascal before blowing out his candle

But I'll always remember that glow I felt as I wheeled him from the delivery room in the hospital. I remember feeding him his first bottle and taking care of him and getting over my own anxiety of caring for him correctly.

I remember the many mornings of daddy/baby time.

I remember dancing with him to the "SpongeBob SquarePants" theme song every time it was on.

I remember him telling me about a dream he had that featured "Eleanor Rigby" when he was maybe five.

I remember the pride he had when he told me he had school locker number 55 -- in honor of Daddy.

And I remember the trips, the brief years of playing baseball, the adventures, and so much more.

It wasn't all easy. In fact, there were pretty tough spots where he didn't or couldn't know what I was dealing with. I always protected him from things but we also shared some pretty important conversations. To that end, we were always honest with each other.

I've come to learn how much he was bullied in school and I wish I had known more at the time but he felt there was nothing that could be done. Maybe so but I would have liked to try. It changed some of his personality to where that easy smile wasn't as prevalent.

But he persevered. He was never a victim.

He sat with me today at lunch and said he could never be dishonest with me. I suppose that means I did a few things right.

He's respectful and incredibly funny. 

And he's 22.

I'm proud of you.

And mighty proud to be your father.

Thursday's Broadcasting Story

That's where the audio was supposed to plug in. Honest.

 

I realize I write so often about my travels and travails in sports broadcasting.

To that end, I'm doing it again.

Dateline: Today, Bridgewater, NJ.

I was there for the first game of the day, between the Rockets Hockey Club and the Brooklyn Aviators.

Coming into the game, the Aviators had one win and 39 losses. Oh, they also had an overtime loss. They had been outscored 338-48.

So I knew I had to be on my game and prepared to fill in where necessary. One thing I don't do -- and won't do -- is mock a team for futility. It's disrespectful so I would do my best to tell the story based on how I saw it but would not demean them.

I was there in plenty of time with a coffee in hand as I got to work setting it up. I followed the exact directions that had been left for me and had everything set within minutes.

As game time approaches, we're told to call an operations number at FloHockey -- the streaming broadcast outlet -- to do a sound check.

Per the person on the phone, they could hear everything just fine. They could hear me.

I was ready.

I started the broadcast, always quietly running Robcasting in the background to record the game and have an audio record.

I could sense the eyes of one of the few people in the stands looking at me as the game moved along.

It sears through me.

Sure enough, the woman nearby touched me and showed me a text on her phone.

"Tell the announcer if he's there that we can't hear him."

(bleep)

I nodded that I knew because, well, I had a feeling. I was also trying to remain calm.

Something didn't feel right when I plugged the audio in. Still, FloHockey said all was well.

I got to the end of the first period and I went into overdrive. I tried different cables and adaptors but as the second period went along, I felt another tap on my arm.

Another woman. Same topic.

I nodded.

Look, I appreciate the efforts to tell us things are wrong but they also embarrass me to where I wish I could disappear in that moment. I'd be happy to be swallowed up by the Zamboni.

Eventually, I stood there and realized I was basically broadcasting to just a few souls on Robcasting. I stayed with it because that's what I do. I call the game, even if that becomes an archival recording.

I stepped away and I called FloHockey back. In fact, I missed two goals in the process.

FloHockey's staff is very supportive and nice but, ultimately, weren't helpful. The person I spoke to mentioned equipment that we didn't have. I eventually touched base with Dave, the person who brought me aboard for these games, and he and I went through things.

Of note to anyone in this spot, remaining calm is a huge help. I apologized to Dave for the problems and that was the very first thing he said to me: "Don't apologize."

These things happen.

FloHockey emailed me pictures of what they thought things should look like and I sent them pictures of what things did look like.

For the record, it was exactly how Dave told me to do it and how I had done it in the past. 

Without issue.

Ever the completist, I carried the call to the end. Rockets 8, Aviators 2. The Aviators now have one win and forty losses.

If you find the audio online in my archive, you'll hear me actually try to troubleshoot on the air at one point.

The need to complete the job won out over packing up and leaving. I believe in that.

But I was really bummed after the fact. I emailed FloHockey back and suggested they reboot everything, as Dave had said, and I sense they never did that.

I never heard back from them.

I truly appreciate Dave's attitude and how this was just one of those things that happened. How it was out of my control.

But, yeah, I was bummed.

I drove to Brunswick and hoped for better results.

I think they were much better. The Bruins won in basketball and will play in the FAA Championship Game for the third straight year. They'll try to defend the title they won in 2023.

And I'll be on that call via LocalLive.

It will be a busy few days with hockey tomorrow, maybe two basketball games on Saturday, and two more hockey games on Sunday.

Hopefully without technical issues.

But maybe the Rockets game was best because nobody had to listen to me on the video.

That's a win.

The Menu on the Wall

 

The travel bug is very much back in my brain as I'm counting down the days toward driving to Florida next month.

The stories can last for hours.

We first went to visit my niece in North Carolina in 2014 and, admittedly, it was a risk.

Too many days with family can turn ugly, especially when sharing a space as we'd be doing at their house in Fayetteville.

And handling my mom and Sean would be its own challenge. The simplest explanation is that I had to wrangle both of them. At times it was babysitting even though they were both largely self-sufficient.

Indeed, no more than ten minutes in we had a slight issue involving a missing DVD player. Grumpiness ensued, time was lost, and all was eventually well.

Still, at 5:45 a.m., the last thing you want to hear is, "Daddy, where's my DVD player?"

"I thought you had it."

"No."

And then things turned snide in classic Nancy fashion at the bagel place where we grabbed breakfast. 

I'm proud to say it was also the only tangle we had in the numerous trips that we went on.

Those trips to and from North Carolina are pretty sacred to both Sean and me. It's a part of why we continue to go to this day, along with how comfortable we are there.

It works really well and we're making sure to spend a night there each way to and from Florida.

As Mom began to slow down, Kristy and Hector insisted that we use some hotel points and get a room to cut down on the stress. On the couple of occasions we did it, both Elkton, MD and Ashland, VA were our stops.

The last time we did the trip, we stopped in Virginia and stayed for the night.

A Waffle House was across the street because of course there was.

And, of course, that's where breakfast would be.

At that point in the trip, I wasn't even pushing for breakfast there. 

Mom was.

We had a table in the corner, closer to the front of the restaurant where traffic rolled by on VA State Route 54.

A local personality stood on the sidewalk with an American flag, waving to passing motorists. 

Our waitress told us she frequently did that. The whole scene had a certain small-town charm to it.

Sean and I studied our menus for the same humorous reason. In truth, we both know the order. No matter how many times I look at it, it's always an All-Star Special with a plain waffle, scrambled eggs, and hashbrowns with cheese, ham, white toast, and coffee.

That scene will be repeated a few times next month and it will be glorious.

Like many kids, I had a collection of menus when I was little, so I could play restaurant. Eventually, the menus all disappeared.

But as I sat in the Waffle House in Ashland, VA, well...

Leave it to Mom. Without us saying a thing (and, in fact, often when we did say a thing, as in to NOT say a thing), she engaged the waitress.

She began her questioning about what happens to the menus and how she could get, oh, two.

"Just take the ones on your table," came the reply.

To that end, they each got wiped down, making sure they were clean.

So when people ask me why I have a Waffle House menu hanging on my wall, now you know.

It's a tribute to Waffle House.

And Mom. Of course.

Mom and Sean, 2014

Our first couple of trips without her were awkward. Our first one -- to Pennsylvania the February after she died -- was also disastrous. It was clear we had a ghost in the back seat and didn't know how to handle it. Moods were off and we considered just driving home.

The mood turned and we were fine. It's actually a treasured experience now but there was a point of boredom (not from me, for the record) before we figured it out.

The first North Carolina trip after she died was also an adjustment but we learned from the Pennsylvania experience. 

More than anything, we realized humor would be the key.

We began to laugh about garbage. 

Yes, really.

It was a Nancy staple, where her hand would come out of the back seat, bag normally present to give her any trash.

Classic.

These are the stories that will be at the heart of the drive to and from Florida in March.

The Show Will Go On

 

Dann Gym, Brunswick

The day began with breakfast.

Ham and mozzarella omelet, toast, grits, coffee. Oh yeah.

Plus a good talk about business and opportunities.

Productive. I like it.

I knew the day would lead me to a broadcast, and I figured it would be at Brunswick but the truth was I wasn't sure what time and who the opponent would be.

The Bruins clinched the top seed in the FAA basketball tournament last week. My guess was they would play Hopkins but nothing was in stone.

At least not until I glanced at my phone around 8:30 this morning as I left for breakfast.

So it would be a 5 p.m. game at Brunswick against the aforementioned Hopkins.

Matty Augustine, center, announces that he'll attend Notre Dame
after graduation from Brunswick in 2025.
(Screen shot from LocalLive video)

That, unfortunately, took me out of calling tonight's FCIAC girls basketball playoffs at Trumbull. Those games deserve coverage and I'd like the coverage to include me but I can't have it all. Brunswick was a commitment and I would honor it.

So, in my mind, there was a game to call. As soon as breakfast was over, I went home and pulled together a roster for Hopkins. I did my homework on their season and key players as best as I could.

I was ready but I know -- yes, I know -- there are those who wouldn't do this broadcast because they didn't have hours to prepare.

Pretty cool to say I've covered 
players like Matty Augustine
and his teammate Ethan Long.
Both will head to Notre Dame.

I was comfortable. Let's face it, unless I physically can't get there or there is some other extenuating circumstances, I'm going to call the game.

The loss of the FCIAC games still nags at me. There just isn't that backup plan, no matter how hard I try.

So, Brunswick, it was, and Hopkins was up for it. Don't let records fool you.

I received a very kind compliment before the broadcast that is so humbling. It's truly appreciated. But what good does it do for me to write it here or post it on social media accounts repeatedly? It just makes me appear obnoxious.

It does, however, serve as a reminder that my work is appreciated and respected.

A few days ago, Kent School hockey received a special guest when veteran broadcaster Gary Thorne sat in on the Lions' broadcast. What a wonderful opportunity for the program, as well as my friend Ben Talbott, who got to work with him.

Gary has called Stanley Cups and has done the international call of the World Series. He has iconic calls, including the one of Don Mattingly's lone postseason home run in 1995. Any Yankees fan can hear his voice and those magic words:

"This one by Mattingly. Oh, hang on to the roof. GOOOD BYE, HOME RUN. DON! MATTINGLY!

That voice -- that professionalism -- the one that called Raymond Boque winning Lord Stanley's chalice in 2001 -- was calling Kent School hockey. 

I've called Kent School hockey.

But, also in full disclosure, he did it because his grandson Giovanni DiGiulian is on the Kent team.

Still, who cares? It's a wonderful thing!

Sure, it's a bit intimidating to have Gary Thorne call a game for a team that is an opponent of Brunswick, but I have to stay true to myself and my own talent.

So I called basketball my way, just as I'll call Brunswick hockey that way on Friday night.

Incidentally, Matty Augustine, the remarkable football and basketball player for Brunswick, announced his commitment this morning to attend Notre Dame after graduation. But, as script writers do, he received a technical foul in the hoops game.

I'll be back at Brunswick on Thursday for the FAA basketball semifinal. I'll learn the details sometime tomorrow, I'm sure.

But, oh yeah, I also have Rockets Hockey Club action that morning at 11:30 in New Jersey.

This is what I do. I grind. I prep, get rosters, set up, call the game, break down, and move on. 

It's not the life for everyone. It's not the style for everyone. 

But it's the style for me.

It's also "Love Your Pet Day." So here he is.

The One With the Pizza

 

I had lunch with friends today.

Sean was there also and he's friends with these people.

He tolerates me.

It was a small gathering and nothing fancy at that.

We had lunch, we laughed, we made fun of each other, and we just existed.

Heavy subjects? None, really, though life has been far too heavy of late. Moving on  -- the very thing I've preached here for years -- is easier said than done.

But now that I'm back home with the computer in my lap, I find my brain leaning toward gratitude for these -- and all of my -- friends.

Oh, I have family. I love my family. I do. It's very complicated and sadly gotten more so over the years but those complications lead to making difficult decisions.

Negative energy gets removed, regardless of who it is.

The same goes for friends. 

Now, I don't simply judge like that. It's got to be really bad for me to take that kind of step. I'm horrifically guilty of staying with, in, and around situations before walking away. Most of the time it takes something drastic to have a wakeup call.

The thing I loved -- love, love, love -- about the people I was around today is that I was truly authentic in that spot. There's no need to hold back on almost any subject.

Almost. Not a peep of politics came up.

And we had debates. On music and kids and other stuff. But nobody seemed to be bothered.

Even with Sean there, no subject felt taboo though I realize there does need to be a few boundaries.

Beyond that, being a rascal -- not the cat -- is the way to go.

There's something to be said for loyalty and that's what these people and others bring to my life. It's authentic, honest, and real.

That's just it. The people who are my friends accept me as is. They accept the honesty and everything that comes with me. They know I'm not phony. They know how protective I get of them.

That's what I look for as well. 

We have each other's backs.

We've seen some stuff and have the stories to tell. Personal and professional.

The pizza was consumed and the glasses were empty. 

The laughs couldn't be exhausted. That just doesn't happen.

We said goodbye in the parking lot, recognizing that it shouldn't be so long before we do it again.

I know. Life gets tough. Busy. 

But somewhere time can be found.

At least I'd like to think so.

Trust. Respect. Fun.

It was a perfect way to spend President's Day.

Let Me Take You Down

 

Abbey Road, 2022

We're now through five episodes of "Meet the Beatles," my Sunday morning passion project to examine the universe of the Fab Four on WGCH and Robcasting.

Through the first five, we've played a lot of music, have generally not repeated any songs, and gone through a sort of "Beatles 101" history lesson.

I completed that part this morning, with the band's breakup and a look into what the 70s were like concluding with John Lennon's death in 1980. I followed that up with George Harrison's tribute to him, "All Those Years Ago" which included Ringo, Paul, Linda, and Denny Laine.

To be honest, and I'll get there, but I couldn't bring myself to play "Here Today," Paul's gutwrenching tribute to John. Thankfully I ran out of time. "All Those Years Ago" speaks to George's personality, where he didn't mourn as much, though I find the line "I always looked up to you" to be quite poignant.

"Here Today," on the other hand, is the emotional journey of two brothers, and Paul wears his heart on his sleeve.

With "Beatles 101" completed, now begins the fun. The show will evolve and, I promise I'll get around to guests. I'll also get towards making it more interactive. To that end, I try to post on social media every week, and that can be a forum for comments. So long as I'm in the studio, the phone number will be active and it's 203-661-5051.

But, selfishly, this is my journey right now. I asked for an opinion about this the other day. The question was, to paraphrase, what do you want to hear? Should I have guests, etc?

The answer was, for now, a resounding no.

I need to keep building this. At the moment, I want the audience to just sit back and enjoy my take on this band that has been a part of my life from the day I was born, as "Hey Jude" was the number one song that day.

I've already laid out next week's show in my mind because I realized next Sunday is a Beatlesque date (check the calendar or just wait until next Sunday at 9 a.m.)

There will be other shows that might take on a particular theme and I'm up to hearing what others want to hear for sure.

I also asked my muse if the audience will be OK if some weeks you don't hear any Beatles tunes, but are things related to the lads. The answer was yes to this and I hope that's true.

This is my magical mystery tour and I'm the bus driver, I suppose.

There will be a show related to artists that were on Apple, the Beatles' label. There might be episodes dedicated to bands like that or those who were inspired by The Beatles. It's all a work in progress.

But I want to feel free right now.

Eventually, I know Dan Murphy, for instance, will join me. Dan and I have talked about a couple of Beatles-related projects as a podcast, so it's only natural that I'd want home to come on.

Maybe Sean will come in one morning since he's been hearing their music for his entire nearly 22 years.

And there are others. Many others. One of the exciting things about this is that it is a very wide world and there are so many who can talk about their impact. Their staying power remains just breathtaking. Consider there is an entire satellite radio channel dedicated to them and their width of programming is inspiring. I often wonder if I can have some of their hosts on for interviews.

Most of all, I want this to be fun. I wouldn't volunteer (yes, that's a keyword in this) to do this show otherwise. I wouldn't volunteer (there's that word again) if I thought this was going to be overwhelming. 

Eventually, I can also prerecord shows in my home studio or even at the station and I suspect that could happen as soon as next month when I'll be away. Then again we could just run a repeat. That's all to be determined.

So much of what I do at WGCH is about keeping the station active, alive, and fresh. Thus, it has to be enjoyable, otherwise it's "work." When I'm cranking myself out of bed on Sunday morning to go deal with shoddy equipment it doesn't seem like much fun.

Then I get there, the coffee hits me, and the music inspires me.

Oh, and the equipment works. And it worked especially great this morning as I figured out how to have two devices available to crossfade between songs, which I'm guessing no one picked up on. I moved from "My Sweet Lord" to "Photograph" without talking between the two.

A small thing to you. A big thing to me. 

The show is coming along. Hope you enjoy this ticket to ride.

Huzzah, Beatle Buddies.

Check On Each Other

 

Jeff Alterman joined me for the call of Staples/Westhill and Trumbull

I'm happy to say today went well.

I called the game in Bridgeport at Total Mortgage Arena and Stamford-Westhill knocked off Trumbull, 3-1. The broadcast was pretty flawless despite my feeling exhausted. My guess is I didn't have coffee until right after I walked into the rink.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

I will always pursue any broadcast in a big place like that because the athletes deserve those games and I want to call them.

It was comfortable and easy and fun. Low stress. Always nice.

Knowing I had to blast out the door at the end, we ran off Jeff Alterman's TEN Network equipment. I truly enjoy being the advisor and occasional lead broadcaster for TEN and Jeff has made that into a good place for Trumbull athletics to be carried.

The broadcast lasted roughly two hours, setting me up nicely to get from Bridgeport to Brunswick. I refueled with a stop at a nearby Dunkin (Donuts) before hitting the road. A large coffee and a muffin gave me just the energy I needed for Taft and Brunswick at 3:30.

A banner of a Starr hangs outside Total Mortgage Arena
Ringo played the Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater
a few years ago.

I pulled up to the Hartong Rink at 3:13. Yes, I had 17 minutes to set up.

I didn't need that much. Computer, mixer, headset, ambient mic, audio to the camera, and tape down the binder with the rosters. I finished with time to spare.

Brunswick beat Taft, 3-0. No matter how much it gnawed at me, there wasn't time to get from Brunswick to Poughkeepsie. Thus I couldn't call tonight's Vipers game against the Pittsburgh River Monsters.

For the record, I really wanted to. I mean the idea of broadcasting a game involving Pittsburgh would have been great. 

But it physically wasn't possible. The Brunswick game wrapped up before 5:30, leaving me roughly a half hour to get to Poughkeepsie. No shot.

I had a chance to go to tomorrow's Rangers/Islanders Stadium Series tilt at Met Life Stadium but I decided to turn the credential back to the NHL due to exhaustion, traffic, and conflicts. 

It's OK. I think I needed to step away for a day.

To that end, let me shout out my friends in New Orleans this weekend. They're down there for the 2024 National Road Meet and I'd love to be there. Dan Murphy does a remarkable job of organizing and executing the meets. I'd love to be there with my friends but it didn't work out this time.

Brunswick and Taft come together for Shoulder Check

So, let's go back to the Brunswick game. Today's game included a pregame ceremony to recognize Shoulder Check, a movement started in honor of Hayden Thorsen. Hayden was a junior at Darien High School and an up-and-coming star as a goalie in the Mid-Fairfield program.

The idea is simple: Reach out. Check in. Make contact.

Beyond that, it's literally just as easy as asking someone how they're doing.

This matters. 

In truth, Hayden needed a friend like Hayden.

Hayden Thorsen would be the one to put a hand on your shoulder and check on you. He was the one who would work his tail off to be better as a player but also make sure you were OK, whether teammate, friend, classmate or loved one.

Sadly, Hayden took his own life. It pains me to write those words.

Out of that horror came Shoulder Check and the #HT40 Foundation.

Last summer, the foundation, led by Hayden's parents, played a game including NHL stars to honor Hayden and Shoulder Check. His impact on his friends and family extended beyond Fairfield County, but among those who loved him included players from Taft and Brunswick.

And, thus, the Shoulder Check game today at Hartong Rink.

We have to take care of each other, regardless of age range. Teenagers unquestionably have way too much pressure on them, which is why I get nuclear hot when I see parents push their kids to do so many things so that they -- not the child -- can feel better about themselves.

Hayden's story shouldn't be repeated and that strikes me as the ultimate goal of Shoulder Check. The idea is that no one should ever feel alone.

So visit the Shoulder Check website and learn more, and let this be a reminder.

Check on each other.

I'm here if you need a friend.

The score was only part of the story of the day

You Can't Please Everyone

 

Total Mortgage Arena 
(Photo: Connecticut Convention & Sports Bureau)

The calendar won.

For the myriad ways I try to arrange days like a game of Tetris, there are just some times when I can't split the atom(s).

Yes, I've used that joke before and it wasn't funny then either but it still beats a meme.

Tomorrow could have been something. 

Three games. Three sites.

Jeff Alterman asked me to join him for hockey at Total Mortgage Arena in Bridgeport for Trumbull/Westhill-Stamford. I'm always up for merging his TEN Network with Robcasting.

The big appeal of broadcasting the game is the arena. It's special to call games in places like that -- see Sacred Heart and UConn -- and I haven't worked there in a few years. In the past, I've called high school basketball and hockey there along with Bridgeport Islanders (Sound Tigers then) hockey.

The game was supposed to start at Noon but has been moved back to 12:30.

The noon start didn't concern me but 12:30 is just late enough to make me clock watch a little since Brunswick is hosting Taft School at 3:30.

Now, there are provisions to all of this. First, Jeff will have someone else with him. He likes bringing people along to work with us. The advantage here is that if I have to leave early, I can leave the game in their hands.

I had to do this one other time when I drove to Shelton for hockey but had to fly to New Canaan for the FCIAC wrestling championships. In that case, I left Jeff on his own and it was like throwing him into the deep end of the pool.

In the case of Brunswick, cameraman Josh Drebsky will be in the rink so he can get things started if I get hung up. He also knows that I have a second game so he'll be ready for me.

Therefore we are prepared.

The bad part -- and yes, I buried the lead -- is that the Hudson Valley Vipers play tomorrow also.

The bad news is they're playing at 6 p.m.

Basically, anything after that would have worked given most high school games take roughly two hours. But in the case of the Vipers, it's still a solid hour's drive (and probably more) from Brunswick to Poughkeepsie.

So, obviously, a 3:30 game would be over in the area of 5:30. See what I mean? I could have made it to Poughkeepsie and even set up in time for a 7 p.m. start.

It bummed me out to admit defeat and text the Vipers to say I couldn't do the game. They were disappointed but understood given the terms of my calling their games in their first season.

Sadly, this will probably happen again but as a close friend reminded me, it's good to be wanted.

He's absolutely right.

The best scenario would be to have a roster of people who can be a part of the Robcasting family but we're not there. Oh, we used to be, but time marches on. People get different jobs, have kids, and life just gets more complicated. It happens.

And, of course, I don't just accept anyone in the family. I need to know I can trust the person in myriad ways, including with equipment and access to the website.

Of course, they also need to uphold certain standards.

I read an article today about the amazing Caitlin Clark, who set the NCAA record for most points in a women's basketball career.

In the middle of it was a broadcaster who made a statement about creative ways to describe a moment and how to make it unique.

In other words, how can this broadcaster make it about himself?

No thanks. That's not my kind of broadcaster. It's not about you.

If you've read this space long enough, you know that.

And I'll stop there before my head splits open.

Incidentally, I'm prepared for tomorrow.

I know who's reading.

The Photo Clean Up

 

I worked from home today and when I do that I'm also able to catch up on a few things from the comfort of my desk.

For instance, my phone needed a cleaning.

Oh, the contacts need editing in the worst way. I have multiple entries for several people as well as people who need to be, er, editing.

Or deleted.

But alas I decided to clean up my photos between the end of the job and the start of "Doubleheader."

Pictures on my phone can be of baseball lineup cards and basketball scorebooks and hockey game sheets.

They can be graphics for games and broadcasts and other things that I don't mean to keep.

They can be things I want to take note of.

Regardless, many of them just have to go. The others need to be archived.

I realized that I never posted the photos of the great road trip of 2023 to Buffalo, Pittsburgh, West Virginia, and North Carolina (and everything in between).

But not everything needs to be shared with the world so it really doesn't matter.

This process did lead me back to arguably my favorite picture from that trip.

The road trip grows in stature for me all the time because of what it was.

It was my first trip to Buffalo, thanks to Dan Murphy setting up the 2023 National Road Meet there. For the record, the '24 National is this weekend in New Orleans and I couldn't quite pull that one off. I have too many other things going on and the costs were a bit high.

Oh, and I've been to NOLA a few times.

But I'd never been to Buffalo. In fact, I'd never been west of Binghamton in my home state. 

Eventually, the road would lead us to Pittsburgh and a special day that ignited our desire to return (and keep going). We've since gone back for a Steelers game and I suspect that will happen many times again but there are also Pirates and even Penguins games to attend.

Then we spent a night in West Virginia and visited the majestic New River Gorge Bridge.

Then time with family in North Carolina before the trip home. I dropped Sean off in Ocean City, MD on the way and he's still glowing about how much he loved that.

But it was near Buffalo -- in Niagara Falls -- where I took this picture.

To be honest, it might have actually been in Niagara Falls, Canada but that's somewhat immaterial here.

Sean was mostly into going to Buffalo for one thing: wings. He wanted the original wings at Anchor Bar. For the record, he thought they were spectacular.

He had been to Niagara Falls before, on a student trip to Toronto. However, he hadn't done the Maid of the Mist boat ride.

After lunch at Anchor Bar, we drove to the Falls. I felt legitimate excitement to see them for the first time.

We found parking -- we stayed on the underrated American side -- and walked to get on the boat.

Sean decided he wanted maximum soaking, so we went to the front of the boat.

The water poured in as we rode past American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls. 

But there was still the big dog -- Horseshoe Falls.

As we got pelted with the mist, I stepped back for a moment out of the deluge. I wanted to just take it all in. Sean joined me, and we chatted briefly.

"I'm going back in," he said.

That's when I saw the image. With Horseshoe Falls in the background (meaning we were in Canada), I grabbed my phone.

It was natural. It was a moment for him. It was his story.

It was my moment to stand back and let him be.

I didn't need to see the finished product to know I had something I'd cherish on my hands.

I knew I saw something special and it turned out great.

There would be other great photos from the nine days that we were on the road but that's the one that stands out to me.

A treasured memory from t special time.

We know we're driving to Florida next month. Sean isn't going back to Ocean City this year but it looks like he's heading to Myrtle Beach.

There will likely be another trip somewhere and certainly, our annual North Carolina drive is the odds-on favorite.

I'd like to think we'll be back towards Niagara Falls again and, hopefully, into Canada, but it will never be the same.

That's OK -- really, it is. 

I have this image to remember it by.

More of the Same

 

(Photo: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images)

It's Valentine's Day and we're feeling the love!

It's your average day, of course. Clean the apartment, do laundry, prep for basketball, see a mass shooting online, call games, come home, make dinner, write the blog.

Oh, you mean a mass shooting shouldn't be normal? 

Well, it sort of is at this point and despite all of the heavy-handed posts online, nothing changes.

We'll be right back here tomorrow.

Kansas City celebrated their Super Bowl win today with the usual trappings until shots rang out. As of this writing, one person is dead -- a radio DJ named Lisa Lopez-Galvan from KKFI -- and 20 others are wounded.

Many of the wounded are children.

And yet, no matter how many times I write these words, nothing happens.

All I hear is whose fault it is.

It's this side. It's that side.

I couldn't possibly care less which side it is.

It will take politicians and other in power to start getting this under control.

You can't possibly be naive to think any of us are immune at this point.

This can happen anywhere and that continues to be true every day.

On the anniversary of the shooting in Parkland, FL, we now add the Kansas City Chiefs parade to the list.

And we play the thoughts and prayers nonsense, rub our hands together, even cry, and then do nothing.

This is what we are now.

Huzzah.

I hustled my way through a full basketball game and part of a hockey game that I didn't expect to wind up on.

There are those who would never do such a thing. Cool. I did it. Hold me in judgment and have fun.

Today's supposed to be about love and yet here we are.

May your Valentine's Day be full of whatever it is you want it to be. If you have a loved one to share it with, I'm happy for you.

I'm writing with a sleeping cat a few feet away. So there's that.

We'll move on to tomorrow and await the next bad news.

Sadly.

World Radio Day

 

It was March 1997 when a guy working for a retail publication in Rockland County, NY strolled into WGCH Radio.

At that point, it felt like a last chance. The first job in radio had ended years earlier in the usual ugly politics that the business is known for. Egos, paranoia, etc. 

A few years went by before coming back into the business but that station quickly went out of business.

But the love of radio didn't go away. The invitation came to fill in as a board-op at the tiny station in Greenwich, CT.

It was a part-time gig and that was OK. 

Nearly 27 years later, I'm still there, and heading towards 35 years in broadcasting.

I've worked in more than just radio. I've done streaming video, audio, TV, and terrestrial radio. Plus I've been a writer for numerous publications. 

But, yeah, radio was the initial goal for me.

Today is World Radio Day and I'm still fascinated by the business. The day honors the founding of United Nations Radio in 1946. 

Oh, every day I hear about radio either being dead or dying. But if the power goes out, you might actually reach for a radio for information. We're pretty important in moments of crisis.

We're important for information.

Much in the same way I hear that baseball is dying, I just keep going.

The key to radio is to be local. It's why I like turning the dial when I travel. But so much of it is either music with voice-tracked DJs or programming originating somewhere else. 

I want local flavor and charm.

I want to hear local sporting events and news and charming shows and whatever makes that station flow.

I still love those times when it's late at night and I can turn the AM dial to hear far-off places. Though that can be done via the internet there's still something thrilling about the DX hobby. 

It's still a thrill to step up to the microphone and go on the air. It's great to visit the studio -- WGCH's or anywhere else. 

It's still a great responsibility to be that "voice of reason," reporting on hurricanes, breaking news, giving opinions on sports, playing music, and of course, doing play-by-play.

But, in reality, I've done so much more than that. I've hosted the Greenwich Town Party and produced commercials and engineered broadcasts without getting on the air. I've created program logs and managed a staff.

I've done a lot. No more than anyone else but I'm proud of the staying power to still be in this business after all these years.

And, just as importantly, to still have so many friends who are still in the business is important. I tell students that they need a network and I still have a great one.

Yes, I've ticked a few people off over the years as well and it does bother me but that's bound to happen.

But I love radio and am proud to still be doing it. I'm also proud to be a part of the lineage that began with Marconi, Fessenden, de Forest, and Armstrong. 

Eventually, McNamee, Benny, Allen, Barber, Imus, Ingram, and countless others ruled the microphone.

In some small way, I've been one of those people.

I'm proud of that.

Happy World Radio Day to all of us.

On Deck

 

New York Yankees on X/Twitter

While football was the talk of the day (well, football and Taylor) football is done for the season.

The draft is in a few months and the schedules will also be out. But training camp and preseason are months away and we won't see a regular season game until September.

Hockey and basketball are at the forefront now. College basketball will especially step into the limelight with March Madness roughly a month away.

As I got ready to go live on "Doubleheader" today, I popped over to the Brunswick Athletics website to check on things. I use it to check scores and occasionally see if any schedules have been updated.

My eyes widened.

The lacrosse schedule was online.

Then I saw it.

The baseball schedule.

Spring is coming.

But, as with anything in life, there are conflicts and decisions to be made.

Sean and I planned to go back to Florida basically as soon as we got home from last year's trip. It was safe to say that he loved it.

Of course, I did as well.

To tell you the truth, I'd probably prefer to go in February for a few reasons. First, that's when I used to go with my parents back in the 1980s. But also, there's something to be said about driving away from the cold and snow. By the end of the day, it wasn't unrealistic to think that the heavy jacket in the morning had been shed and the temperature was much more comfortable.

The temperature shift in March isn't as dramatic but beggars can't be choosers. I chose March last year because that's when I knew Brunswick's season would be over and, in all likelihood, I wouldn't have any games.

That was the same plan this year, as I made sure to be available into March. Brunswick's hockey team has what it takes to make a deep run towards the New England championship at Harvard and I'm intrigued at going to that.

Brunswick's basketball team, for the record, will wind up their season in February, regardless of any championship run. The FAA Championship is scheduled for Feb 29 as of now.

There also might be more for me back in New York and there's always the opportunity of broadcasts in New Jersey.

But it looks like I've scheduled our trip a little too late. Three home games for Brunswick lacrosse and baseball are when we'll either be in Florida or on our way back.

So now those are things to consider.

Look, you know how I feel about these things. Especially baseball. I've missed calling the pastime, having not done a game since last August in Virginia.

Conversely, we want this trip, and have a bit of a nostalgic one planned in that we're going to drive it. This will be the first time I've been to some of these places since 1989.

This is all part of the gig. There are conflicts, lost money, and lost opportunities. But life also needs to keep rolling and, if we can afford it, we need to be good to ourselves.

I'm on a great roll of calling so many games but I have to be mindful that my voice and my mind deserve an occasional break. Burnout can happen and I try to monitor that. 

So the trip will happen. I actually checked out a little when I was down there last year. Yes, me.

The games will also happen. Brunswick baseball and lacrosse as well as any other games I can get. 

And the Renegades will be back as well.

All coming very soon.

*****

I'll be home tomorrow and working from here as a big snowstorm is supposed to hit us. There's talk of upwards of a foot but I'll frankly believe that when I see it.

Many schools have already closed and others will follow.

It's amazing that word spreads about closings earlier now. I'm used to the days of getting up in the morning and putting WHUD radio on. The veteran broadcaster Joe O'Brien had the duty of telling us we had the day off.

Now, families learn via different technology and that's just how things evolve.

I'll have the day off from leaving the house I suppose.

Be safe if you're out in it.

The Game

 

OK, kick it off and let's go.

San Francisco (I've been there) and Kansas City (I have not).

Huey Lewis versus Taylor Swift.

So you'd think -- if that were true -- I'd be rooting for the 49ers.

But I've sort of never been a fan of them. I guess it's because they would tie the Steelers for the most Super Bowl wins with six. 

Oh yeah, the Patriots also. If you think those are legit.

But I don't know that I'm rooting for KC either. Sure, I like Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid and I even like Travis Kelce.

And I have nothing against Ms. Swift. As I've said.

But, meh to the whole thing.

So I'd rather just not care. I'd rather root for drama. I'd rather sit here, eat pizza and wings, and enjoy the game. 

I'd rather it be close -- mighty close -- with a dramatic finish.

Oh, and I couldn't possibly care less about the halftime show. I'm a Beatles guy (this just in) and I loved McCartney's show. I don't care how "safe" it was. It had to be at that time. That's why they picked him.

I still think Prince was and is overrated. Yes. Sorry.

I'll be watching because I've watched them all since 1978.

I saw the days of the Cowboys and Giants and Washington (known by another name back then) and some little ol' squad from Pittsburgh.

I saw Buffalo deservedly make four straight. Then they lost each one.

I saw dominance from Montana and Bradshaw and Mannings and Brady and Mahomes and Timmy Smith (204 yards in SB XXII).

I saw incredible defense. The 85 Bears. The Ravens. The Buccaneers, who probably just intercepted Rich Gannon again.

And, of course, the Steel Curtain.

So let's just enjoy the game.

*****

Well, obviously, I didn't post this when I wrote it hours ago.

It's now overtime -- only the second time ever -- and it's been quite a night.

It's been sloppy and sleepy at times.

And Usher was boring.

But the food was great and so was the company.

I'm going to go back to watching the game.

A Game and Then Some

 

(Hudson Valley Vipers)

I'm taking a break from prepping for tonight's hockey broadcast(s).

Two. Sort of.

This will be an interesting one tonight, as the Norfolk Mallards come to Poughkeepsie to play the Hudson Valley Vipers. 

These are the same teams that I saw two weeks ago. On the ice that night, the Mallards took the win but it's listed in the standings as a tie.

Um. Huh. OK.

Well, anyway, the teams met again last weekend in Massachusetts. With the Mallards leading 6-3 in the third period, an issue occurred with the condition of the ice. So the game was suspended and will be picked up tonight in Poughkeepsie.

Thus, I'll handle the call of the third period before the regularly scheduled game follows after that.

It's semi-pro, minor league hockey and it's a world where anything can and will happen.

I'll find out if there are roster changes and any other storylines when I get up there. 

The important thing is to not panic. All I can do is prepare and then get ready for the unexpected. It's just how it all plays out.

But I've enjoyed the two previous games enough to come back and do it again.

(Norfolk Mallards on Instagram)

At this moment, I'm sort of the play-by-play announcer but we haven't made any kind of commitment to this being a thing just yet. As I've said all along, it's still a work in progress.

So I'll produce what I hope is a good broadcast on Robcasting for, in reality, two games.

It will be an 8 p.m. start before I try to grab a few hours of sleep.

I'm on the call for the Section One wrestling championships tomorrow in White Plains.

Then it's back home for a low-key Swiftie Bowl party.

It will be a long few days but it's what I've signed up for.