(May 30, 2012) Some baseball fans will be spending the summer kicking back at the ballpark, hot dog and drink in hand, to hear the crack of the bat in person. Others will bring the atmosphere of America’s pastime into their own backyards by firing up the radio alongside the grill. This summer, STAA client Marshall Kelner will provide the sounds of summer as the new play-by-play voice for the Battle Creek Bombers of the Northwoods League.
Kelner recognizes the Bombers job as the perfect spot next step in his burgeoning sports broadcasting career.
“This is a great opportunity for me this summer because I have the chance to build my resume in one of the best summer collegiate leagues in the country. The Northwoods League has the longest schedule of any summer collegiate league (70 games) and is run just like the minors,” Kelner says. “Big name players such as Curtis Granderson and Andre Ethier have played in the league, so I have a chance to see future big league stars. Battle Creek won the championship last year, and I’m hoping they can repeat this summer.”
The chance to get in plenty of play-by-play reps isn’t the only thing Kelner is eager to experience.
“Something that I am especially looking forward to is traveling with the team. I know there will be some long bus trips (especially because Battle Creek is the furthest from any of the teams), but it is part of the grind of a baseball season that I love being apart of. You really get to know the players on the road and get to see some cool cities. I am especially excited to travel to Madison (we open there) because they average over 6,000 fans per night and I hear it is a crazy atmosphere.”
Kelner utilized his network to get his name out to the Bombers organization.
“The opportunity with the Bombers came about when I reached out to a family friend with a connection to the organization. He set me up with the owner of the team, and I eventually got in touch with the GM Brian Colopy. I interviewed and was offered the job.”
A 2011 graduate of USC, Kelner called play-by-play for the Trojans in baseball, basketball, and football. After graduation, he stayed in California for his first post-college gig with the Chico Outlaws.
With the majority of his broadcasting experience having taken place on the West Coast, Kelner – a Minnesota native – is happy to be headed to Michigan this time.
“One other thing I’m looking forward to is the fact that I’m fairly close to home (Minnesota), and some of my family and friends may come out to visit throughout the course of the season.”
(Visit Marshall’s STAA Talent Page).