During the baseball and softball season, I get to spend some time in press boxes in our area. Over the years of broadcasting games I have gotten to know a good number of people that work in these press boxes!

Friday night Bart Hill and I were in Granite Falls at Richter Field. One of my favorite places to broadcast a baseball game. Lac qui Parle Valley took on the Sting from YME. When we arrived in the press box we were greeted by Tim Knapper who was on the mic doing the PA and Jermaine who runs the scoreboard and sometimes the music between innings. I have known Tim, who is the Activities Director at YME for many years. I can always count on seeing Jermaine in the press box at Richter Field.

I think this time was the most I have ever visited with Jermaine. It was sure fun. He is always smiling and enjoys every minute of running the scoreboard. I always take a selfie before the game to promote the game on social media, so I invited Jermaine to join Bart and I in the selfie. He was all smiles, and I told him I was going to make him a social media star! When the baseball game started, Tim had to leave, so it was just Jermaine running the music and scoreboard. In between innings Bart and I visited with him and told him how much we really like his choice of music he plays, lots of Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, 80’s hair band music! He really does a nice job.

In other press boxes I’m often in, it seems like it’s usually the same people doing the PA and scoreboard. Some have been there longer than I’ve been broadcasting. Just off the top of my head, in Montevideo it’s Lou Kuno, Canby its Chris Nemitz, Dawson it’s the Thompsons or Bucky, Milroy it’s the Dolans, Rosen has the Rademachers. At Lakeview its Phil Lalim, he is amazing with the video streaming as well. I don’t remember some names, but Benson, Morris, Ortonville, Raymond and Sacred Heart press box people are awesome.

I could go on and on. All these people I enjoy visiting with when I show up to call a game. I have built a lot of relationships in the press boxes over the years.