Casey At the Bat: Quick Turnaround

This is my first chance to post a blog due to my new role as the on-site producer for Orioles baseball this season. I will be traveling with the team the entire season, and my blog will give you some behind-the-scenes looks at the cities we visit, the ballparks the Orioles play in and how the broadcasts come together every night on the Orioles Radio Network.

One of the first things I've learned so far, and what some fans don't understand, is that there are times that there will be quick turnarounds from the final day of a road trip to the start of a home stand. For instance, the Orioles played a night game in Tampa Bay on Thursday. The game ended around 10:40 pm. We boarded the buses to the airport at 11:30 pm. Once the luggage and team equipment was loaded, we took off for home, and landed around 2:20 am. The buses picked the team up at BWI, and we went straight to Oriole Park to get our belongings and drive home. Many folks didn't get home until well after 3 am.

Friday's home opener had a 3:05 pm start, so everyone had to be at Oriole Park around noon. Opening Day in Baltimore is always a festive occasion, so even if we were a little tired, the adrenaline kicks in when the pregame ceremonies start. The good news for the traveling party is that the day game ended early enough for us to get home to our families and friends for dinner on Friday night – and more importantly, a good night's rest before doing it again on Saturday.