Much has changed since the very first Little League World Series. The national exposure these boys and girls receive nowadays is insane. ESPN and its affiliates not only cover the entire tournament but are now televising most, if not all, of the regional games. Don’t get me wrong, folks. I am loving every moment, and this three-week Little League extravaganza is so much fun. Williamsport, PA, is on the global stage. It is the premier youth sporting event — and then some.
I found myself in the car an awful lot this past week. Instead of listening to music on Amazon, I tuned in to many of the games. It is only fitting that I give some love to the guys who called each contest this week. They have been doing their thing for a very long time — incredible, actually. I just did the math.
Major props to my friends at BILL 95 & 1400 WRAK. These local stations have called every Little League World Series since 1947. And they just wrapped up another few weeks in Williamsport. I am counting 77 consecutive years. Some of these legends get better with age. They are so smooth and call a great game. The transitions and coverage are just splendid. They know how to paint.
Play-by-play announcers Gary Chrisman and Ken Sawyer are the best in the biz. Chrisman is an icon. The University of Miami grad has hosted the very successful “Chrisman Morning Show” on Clear Channel Radio for the past 36 years. Gary also called hundreds of local high school and college football and basketball games on Cable Sports Productions. He interviewed me six times. The proud Williamsport native attended his first World Series as a five-year-old kid and has been the lead man for the Little League games for the past 50 years.
Ken Sawyer is the man. A guy who has taught me an awful lot. He was Williamsport’s prominent voice from 1970 until he retired in 2013. During his award-winning career, Sawyer wore many hats. He was a talk show host, sports director, and operations manager at NEWS TALK 1400 WRAK. Ken also called every Williamsport Millionaire football and basketball game for 35 years. The same with Lycoming College football for another 20. This was Ken’s 53rd World Series. What?
Sweet-swinging Tom O’Malley played for six MLB teams before a stellar seven-year stint in Japan. The Montoursville native was the Central League MVP in 1995. My man even signed a 1983 Topps card for my son Jensen. Tom has coached and scouted in Japan and currently serves as the Head Softball Coach at South Williamsport High. His squad is coming off a great year. O’Malley is one of the area’s all-time greats, and he has worked the past nine World Series.
Scott Lowrey is a former Regional Director for Little League International. He also served as the Executive Director of the Lycoming County United Way. Scott still coaches many sports for the South Side Mounties. He believes he is the only person who has worked the Series as a newspaper reporter, broadcaster, official scorer, and public address announcer. My buddy Scott also scribes for the Webb Weekly. Lowrey just wrapped up his 23rd Little League Tournament.
Tom Speicher is one of my favs. He interviews parents, spectators, and special guests. He provides some great tidbits as the station’s “Man in the Crowd.” He is an award-winning writer/video editor at the Pennsylvania College of Technology. Speicher has done some impressive freelance and national media work. Tom also writes a weekly column for our beloved Minnesota Vikings. I only read it when we are winning. He is so good and hustles to find some great stories between innings. He makes a difference. Tom just finished his 25th Series.
Again. Much has changed since that very first Little League World Series. Some say that over 10,000 youngsters have participated in Williamsport over that time frame. Technologies continue to develop, and there are a plethora of ways to watch and tune in to the games. But BILL 95 and 1400 WRAK have been our staple. They have been here since the beginning. Incredibly, 77 consecutive tournaments. I am very proud of this entire broadcast team. They are all huge assets to this community. OK. Yes. I am in the bullpen waiting. But I only wanted to applaud my friends on another great tournament. Major props, guys. Cheers.
