Many people have their own individual, unique aspirations. For some, becoming a nurse, professional sports player or even going into the military is what they believe to be their calling card in life. For some, it is imminently clear what they want to do. Maybe they want to get involved with the family business. It might take longer than usual for some people to find that niche about themselves. For me, ever since I was a kid, I’ve been a diehard sports fan. At a young age, I thought of myself as someone destined for the broadcast boothe. Even now, my penultimate “dream job” would be taking over for Tom Hamilton as the play by play guy for the Cleveland Indians. An opportunity that was thrust upon me here in Pittsfield made, and is making, that goal achievable.

I remember it quite clearly. I was in high school, a part of my school’s radio station. We had meetings every Thursday. This seemed like just another ordinary meeting. Our station operator would talk about something, we’d have a small discussion about it, and we’d go home. This particular one, though, was different. My soon to be boss showed up at this meeting. This man was the play by play commentator for the Pittsfield Suns of the Future Collegiate Baseball League. Now, at the time, I held my own sports talk show at my school’s radio station, whereas nobody else involved with the station cared much for sports, much less getting involved in sports talk and broadcasting. Making a longer story short, this would be how I’d end up starting off as color commentator for the Pittsfield Suns.

That first year of color commentary, I got my feet wet in the real deal aspect of sports broadcasting. There were definitely growing pains, but by the 2^nd season, I began to feel more and more comfortable and got better and smoother with the role. Sitting here, typing this today, I am currently in the midst of my 4^th season with the team, filling the same role as I originally did in my 1^st season.

Now, for why this role has been so impactful in my life:

• As previously mentioned, this is fantastic for my resume. If I ever go far in this particular aspiration, a lot of it will have to be owed to this internship.
• As sports broadcasting has always been a passion of mine, this has allowed me to pursue and indulge upon that passion.
• As someone who likes to travel, and who really likes visiting new ball parks, being a member of this broadcast team has been refreshing. Though we seldom broadcast road games, I’ve managed to attend games at Landover Insurance Park at Fitton Field (Home of the Worcester Bravehearts) twice, Fraser Field in Lynn, MA (Home of the North Shore Navigators) and Campanelli Stadium in Brockton (Home of the Brockton Rox) twice.
• The most important one here, is the experience I’ve attained through these 3 ½ seasons. You can never simulate experience. If I go farther in this aspiration, and am able to use the experience I’ve received here, I’ll have nobody to thank for it but this opportunity.

On one lasting note…..

For players, coaches, umpires and fans: my name is Andrew Baillargeon saying “thank you for reading this article!” You can expect another one next week, like always! Have a nice day!