'That is going out of here!' HR call highlights kids' broadcast for Double-A Red Sox
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“That’ll be a high fly ball. Big hit and that is going out of here! Three-run homer for Tyler McDonough!”
Josh Johnson, a 7-year-old Sea Dogs fan, got to live every potential future announcer's dream with the Double-A Red Sox during Wednesday's 6-4 win over Reading at Hadlock Field. On “Kids Take Over the Broadcast” night, Josh called a home run by Tyler McDonough alongside Sea Dogs play-by-play broadcaster Emma Tiedemann.
"I always am hoping for home runs during their innings because they consistently rise to the occasion," Tiedemann said. "They prepare questions to ask players in their pregame interviews and that preparation carries over to the broadcast."
Josh was one of five young fans chosen as part of the Sea Dogs' fifth annual contest in which winners tour the press box, interview a player before the game and end the night on the Sea Dogs' broadcast. Twins Davis and Everett Burns each had a turn in the booth with Tiedemann, as did Avery Bernier and Cooper Edwards.
"We have parents submit a short questionnaire and a video to get a sense of how they might be on the air," Tiedemann said.
Josh had the good fortune to be on the mic in the fifth inning, when the hot-hitting McDonough (who entered the game with an .804 OPS in August) hit his fourth homer and knocked in his 11th run of the month.
"It’s really my favorite day of the year," Tiedemann said. "Seeing their joy and excitement is a nice reminder of why we do these each season. Past participants now seriously want to pursue broadcasting and now have dreams to chase."