At the ballpark
Living the dream: Astros fans compete to be team's newest radio voice in openaudition
The last in line for the Houston Astros' radio auditions waited patiently tolive the dream.Photo by Whitney Radley
Bryan Fuqua faces the judging panel in the Astros' radio contest.Photo by Whitney Radley
Nervous contestants lined up along the concourse outside of FiveSeven Grille in Minute Maid Park on Monday to audition for a much sought-after prize: The first ever "You Make the Call" radio apprenticeship.
The Houston Astros launched the contest last month in an effort to find a new voice for 2013 broadcast team — and make someone's dream come true. The open call yielded more than 300 entrants from 17 different states, many of whom were interested in pursuing a career (or at least following through on a hobby) in broadcast journalism.
"I've been wanting to make a career in radio for a while," Bryan Fuqua told CultureMap. Fuqua, who has been an Astros fan for much of his 20 years in Houston, has one of those deep, smooth, perfect-for-the-airwaves voices.
Each had only a few moments to introduce themselves to a panel of judges and then demonstrate their best on-air personality while reading a script.
Megan Haas, a Texas A&M University senior studying Agricultural Communications and Journalism and Sports Management, wore a red Astros jersey, her brown hair pulled back in a headband. She admires the spirit and the accomplishments of young pitcher Jordan Lyles, who she watched up close at spring training this year.
"I remember going to the Astrodome with my parents when I was really little," she said. Haas has long bragged to family and friends that she'll one day be the voice they hear on the radio, so a barrage of encouraging emails followed the announcement of the radio contest. Her decision to apply was a no-brainer.
The rest of the contestants varied between college students, business consultants, war veterans, school teachers and more. Each had only a few moments to introduce themselves to a panel of judges and then demonstrate their best on-air personality while reading a script.
Many self-identified as passionate fans with fond remembrances of the Astrodome (and its "dome dogs"); some were named after past greats, like Nolan Ryan, and others dreamed of a day when their own children would play for the hometown team.
But knowledge of the team and its history — and even of the sport itself — was only half of what the judges were looking for.
Fox Sports Houston's Patti Smith wants someone who adds something different and colorful to the already black-and-white broadcast. Emmy Award-winning broadcaster Linda Lorelle will vote for someone with a fun personality for fan interactions; a nice voice accompanied by energy and enthusiasm but not necessarily a complete understanding of the game.
But knowledge of the team and its history — and even of the sport itself — was only half of what the judges were looking for.
Ken Hoffman, Houston Chronicle columnist, will choose a candidate who wants the job, who knows and loves baseball and, he joked, is good at spelling. Rounding out the six-judge panel were Larry Dierker, former Astros pitcher, manager and broadcaster; Eddie Martiny, Clear Channel president and market manager; and Jamie Hildreth, Astros senior vice president.
The judges will narrow the contestants down to 10 by Wednesday; each will conduct interviews with players during batting practice Friday through Sunday. Those interviews will be posted online, and fans will have the opportunity to vote on four semifinalists for the next round.
The winner will be announced the final week of the season — and in 2013, fans can expect to see the radio apprentice conducting pre- and post-game interviews, covering press conferences and serving as a roving reporter during games.
