(April 3, 2015) As a new season of America’s pastime races towards opening day, STAA member Danny Reed has landed back in affiliated baseball – just in time for first pitch. Reed is the new Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations for the Bowling Green Hot Rods.
The Hot Rods are the Class-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays.
Reed has been on the market for the right play-by-play job for about a year. When a friend tipped off Reed that broadcaster Andrew Kappes was leaving Bowling Green for Triple-A Indianapolis, Reed sprang into action.
“Knowing how close the season was, I immediately sent my materials to the Hot Rods. They contacted me Tuesday, had a phone interview Wednesday and accepted the position that evening. Amazing how quickly it all happened but I couldn’t be more thrilled,” says Reed.
Reed’s last job in affiliated baseball was as the Voice of Charleston RiverDogs, followed by two and a half years as Director of Broadcasting for The Citadel Sports Network. Last year, Reed had the opportunity to do fill-in play-by-play for ESPN3 and Georgia Southern basketball.
After spending so many months on the prowl for a new gig, Reed discovered a few valuable lessons about searching for the next step in your sports broadcasting career.
“What I’ve learned is that just because you don’t get a job doesn’t mean you aren’t talented enough for that job. I think that’s a mistake that many job seekers make. Timing and fit are so vital, and so is persistence in requesting feedback and critiques. Searching for a job is a job in and of itself, but all it takes is the right place with the right people at the right time and it simply clicks. It makes the effort so worth it.”
When frustration with his sportscasting job search piled up, Reed used a simple trick to stay motivated: memories.
“Whenever I got frustrated, I reminded myself of why I wanted to do this in the first place. I remember how it felt to sit in that chair, scan the view, smell the smells and simply take it all in.
“When you know, you know. For anyone who has ever met me, they know how much passion I have for this craft and everything that comes with developing it and would stop at nothing to get back into it.”
(Visit Danny’s website).