Did You Hear That?

I was one of those students who sold their tickets to the Michigan vs. Minnesota game this past weekend. I had a good excuse to do so and I still showed my support for the team by listening to every play on the radio. The game was a nail biter for the first minute then was all Michigan after that. Many would change the station knowing it was a blowout but the radio kept it engaging and my friends and I continued to listen to the finish.

Radio allows you to use your imagination and to really tune in to know understand going on, rather than passively watching the sport on T.V. By following the tone of the commentator, I find myself holding my breath as he raises his voice, picking up speed and loudness at the climax of each play, to make sure I don’t miss a word.

Radio even makes sports that can be very boring to watch, like baseball, an excitement. Listening to Game 2 of the series with the Yankees vs. Tigers, I was on the edge of my seat hoping that the Yankees did not hit that homer in the 9^th, and wondering why Valverde was throwing so many pitches. The commentators not only annotate each play, but also break down how each play could effect the outcome of the game. During that short moment before each pitch, the fan listening to the radio eagerly anticipates the pitch with uncertainty– will the batter hit or strike? This anxiety keeps me on the edge of my seat throughout the whole game, rather than only the exciting plays (for good or for worse) as on T.V.

So during the next Michigan football game or Tigers playoff game turn the T.V. off and listen to it on the radio and see for yourself how engaged you become by the brilliant narratives of the radio broadcasters. Who knows, it might lead you to start saving money on that cable bill.

(Stock photo courtesy of sxc.hu)