A Look Behind The Radio Microphones Of The 2024 ALWS
By: Roger Sigmon – Wise News Network
Shelby, NC (WNN) – There is little time for family and friends to make plans to travel to Shelby, N.C., after their team wins their respective regional tournament. Lack of vacation time, distance, finances, and short notice hampers efforts to attend in person. Anyone connected to a team or player involved in the American Legion World Series (ALWS) will want to follow the action in real-time, but how, if not at the stadium? One of the ways is possible thanks to Calvin Hastings, KTC Broadcasting, WCSL radio, WOHS radio, various sponsors, and his team of dedicated announcers and volunteers. Fans in the local area or even worldwide can tune into the action on AM/FM radio at the stations, as mentioned earlier, or via the internet on KTC Broadcasting from anyone with an internet connection. I do not have a complete list of sponsors, yet they are much appreciated in their efforts to make these broadcasts possible.
Ken Link (L) and Danny Eaker (R) Radio Announcers at the American Legion World Series – Veterans Field at Keeter Stadium Shelby NC 8-18-2024 by Roger Sigmon (WNN)
I had the privilege to chat for a few moments with two KTC Broadcasting announcers who work tirelessly and passionately to provide listeners with the ultimate game experience via audio. These two gentlemen, Ken Link and Danny Eaker, share a love and knowledge of the game that is matched only by a few. Their main goal in each broadcast is to bring the listener into the game. They offer as much background of players and history of the teams as possible, along with the obligatory statistics fans expect. Entering into a broadcast, they do not script nor plan the program. They prefer to allow the action of the game and their chemistry as a team to dictate how things will flow. They can then play off each other’s comments. This is because it allows the listener to feel the action as it unfolds instead of just a strict play-by-play. As a listener, you will feel as if you are watching the game with two friends and discussing what is happening. Every effort is made to paint a picture of what is happening, including a description of team colors and uniforms. The object is to allow the listener to see the action in their mind as they listen. If they close their eyes, they will almost feel like they are in the stadium.
Each announcer brings a different perspective to the game. Danny and Ken see the game through different lenses. Ken has always been a numbers guy, so he loves statistics and can quickly recite batting averages and other key stats. Danny is the history guy. Together, they blend the backgrounds of players and teams with their current stats and accomplishments. Pregame preparation is fueled by their love for baseball and support of the American Legion.
Ken’s approach to the game is to remember that the only part of the game the listener can see is what he sees for them through his description; with this in mind, he recaps each play to recreate the scene better for the listening audience. He never had a son or grandson to play the game, but he always enjoyed watching American Legion Baseball after following Cherryville, N.C. Post 100 for many years. Then, Ken had the opportunity to get into broadcasting sports games. He immediately fell in love with baseball and would rather call this game than any other sport. A math major in college was a natural choice for his love of numbers and statistics. This flows into his game-day action as he provides game and player averages for the fans. Baseball entered his life as a young kid. He grew up a fan of the New York Yankees and, later, as he became older, began following the Atlanta Braves. A lifetime of watching the sport has developed a thorough working knowledge of this game, and it is evident in his broadcasts.
Danny brings a view of the game that involves who the players are. Their personality, future plans, and what makes the young man playing a particular position different from the next man. Now, you are hearing about a natural person, not just a number and a name. The listener can get a feel for that player that otherwise would be overlooked. I asked Eaker what sparked his interest in American Legion Baseball. He stated, “I was introduced to American Legion Baseball at a young age in 1953 when Cherryville Post 100 qualified and won the N.C. state tournament and then went on to win the sectionals (know as the regionals today) and played in the ALWS that was held in Florida that year. I fell in love with it from that point.” He further commented that he went on to play American Legion Baseball and had a son and grandson who both played. He is proud to have won a state high school championship in 1962, and his grandson, Noah Eaker, also won a state high school championship at Cherryville High School. This is an excellent example of the type of bond and legacy that can be created through baseball. He told me, “As a player, the father of a player, and grandfather of a player, this game becomes special.” His involvement progressed from fan to announcer in 1987, and he has been involved in one aspect or another ever since that time. He also shares public address duties when not on the radio and has been known to do both on several occasions. Danny has had the honor of announcing the names of players who later had careers in Major League Baseball as the public address announcer during games. I asked him to sum up American Legion Baseball, “It’s all about the boys and what can be provided for them on and off the field. The American Legion does a lot for them and teaches them about more than just baseball. It allows them to continue to play and possibly be seen by scouts. They can have fun, relax, and enjoy playing the game.” One final question I presented to him, who is almost 80, is, how long will you stay involved? He smiled and said, “As long as I am blessed with health, I will keep going.”
Danny Eaker, Radio Announcer at the American Legion World Series – Veterans Field at Keeter Stadium Shelby NC 8-18-2024 by Roger Sigmon (WNN)
An example of these two gentlemen’s dedication could be seen a few nights ago during a game that included a rain delay of an hour and a half, along with fourteen innings of play. Matt Chapman called 6 ½ innings of the match with Danny before the rain set in. Matt lives in Matthews, N.C., and has very young children. The bad weather and long drive made for an obvious decision for him to head home, as it appeared no decision would be quickly made about resuming the game. Ken volunteered to help Danny finish the game, so he allowed Matt to make his way home. Little did anyone know that this game would not conclude until 1:20 am the next day. Listeners never noticed a drop off in the quality of the broadcast.
Danny and Ken continued providing play-by-play coverage and did their best to educate fans about the game. Part of that education mentions how to “score” a play in a scorebook. Some fans still enjoy keeping a scorecard and follow the game from a statistical box score approach.
I did not have an opportunity to interview the other announcers who helped bring you the games. Rest assured, there are many involved in making sure the fans have every opportunity to follow along with the action, whether they are in the stands, in their car, at work, or at home. American Legion Baseball fans are enthusiastic and diehard in their devotion; they don’t want to miss any of the action.
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