Ryan Clary
In 1999, I went to my first college baseball game at the age of 16. An overcast evening in Columbia SC, my best friend John Whittle and I made our way to Sarge Frye Field to watch USC and Clemson play on a random Wednesday night.
USC LF Nate Janowicz fouled off 15 in a row in the 1st inning, and Whittle and I went wild and crazy each time. We were later interviewed by The State newspaper and found ourselves on the front page the next day. We were hooked.
I have spent the last 22 years covering, discussing, writing about, and debating college baseball. Regional Weekend, the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, has been my favorite sports weekend of the year for as long as I can remember. It has always been a dream of mine to call a game in Regional Weekend and now, I finally get to do it.
I can’t believe it!!!!
Presbyterian College won the Big South Tournament this past Saturday. While the team celebrated on the field, I got emotional in the radio booth, a place where I have spent the last 10 seasons for the Blue Hose. I immediately thought of my Dad.
Dad and I have been to hundreds of college baseball games together, regionals, super regionals, and hundreds more little league games, high school games, and two world series as well. Becoming a Play by Play voice has always been what I have wanted to do and I’m lucky enough to be living that dream out now. You check boxes along the way – places you’ve been, championships, etc. A BIG one gets checked off this weekend, and my dad gets to hear it.
Presbyterian College will take on the defending National Champions, Vanderbilt this Friday night at 7:00. We’ll go on air at 6:30 and it can’t get here soon enough. Regional Weekend, and for the first time in my life, I get to bring it to you. Thanks for listening.
