Basketball is the toughest sport to listen to on the radio.
I came to that conclusion last night after listening to Kansas lose in double-overtime to Texas Tech. There are differences in the major sports that make basketball an anxiety-ridden roller coaster ride. And I think the main culprit that makes baseball a walk in the park compared to basketball is time. Long, comprehensive, eloquent descriptions are the foundation of a baseball game broadcast on radio. There is time between each pitch, each batter, each ball that rolls to the outfield wall, to describe exactly what is happening and allow the listener to complete a thorough mental picture. Even football has time between plays to convey what has just happened. But basketball (particularly the college game) moves quickly from play to play, giving the announcer only fractions of a second to take in what is happening and give an accurate description. The ball moves rapidly from player to player and there is rarely an opportunity to describe what is affecting that player to make him pass, shoot or inexplicably throw the ball to the opposing team.
A number of other elements congregate to make college baskeball listening a draining experience. Such as your hometown play-by-play man. Not all announcers contribute to the emotion-sapping experience of listening to a game, but KU's Bob Davis sure does. From the opening tip, he sounds as if he's calling the national championship game. Even if Kansas is up by thirty points, each made shot is reason to exclaim. Don't get me wrong; I like listening to Davis and he does a good job. But he sets you on edge from the start. Another factor is the crowd. A boisterous road crowd heightens the tension, especially when your team is down. Sometimes a loud crowd will drown out the announcer, leaving the listener in limbo for a moment or two, wondering what is taking place. And then, there is the split-second delay between when the announcer lets you know a shot has been taken and when he (or the crowd) lets you know whether or not it's been made. When your team is up 2 with time running out and the opposition throws up a desperation 3, there couldn't be a longer span of time than having to wait until you hear the agonizing result.
"Tech hits a three! The game's over!"
Ugh. Somebody pass me the Rolaids.
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6 comments:
I've given up on this year's paper tiger Jayhawks. Same old story of rolling over in March - err - February. If we can't even win in double overtime in Lubbock - how can we expect to even stay within 35 points of Ringmaster Roy's Ole Time Southern Style Fun and Gun Offense. Lets just give the title to the Tarheels right now.
I too listened to the Bob Davis call on the radio last night - and he is actually more sparse than other play by play guys. I used to think that was a problem - but im not sure now.
The guy that calls Mizzou ( must have just run past it on the dial ) tends to be more precise in calling the ball movement. You always hear who has it and where. But in some ways - it wears you out even more cause by the time you visualize what is happening - the ball is two passes along.
Good point, Dan. I certainly don't need any more mental exhaustion. Of course, for the low, low price of $40/month, I could get cable and actually watch the rare game that I wasn't able to catch on network TV or at Chad's/Nave's/Dan's/Insert name of bar here.
Hey Nick - i gotta say this would make a better column than 95% - no make that 100% of the columns ive read this year in the journal world sports section regarding KU hoops. An interesting take on something that anyone that listens to games on the radio would relate to.
Maybe if you throw in a turn of phrase or figure of speech or witticism every 3rd sentence you could become a "real" sportswriter.
i'm with john...
..as far as the royals - - don't even want to go there but i love your passion!
Thanks, Dan. I'll immediately increase my quota of quips and wisecracks.
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