“A dream come true” is how Ballparkradio’s Kyle Smith described his move to the Bristol, Connecticut based ESPN Radio. Smith and Ballparkradio broadcast partner Jim Flanagan will be teaming up from opposite ends of the country, Smith in Bristol, Flanagan from the Los Angeles area. Discussions with the folks at Disney (the parent company of ESPN) began in January, when the two were in Orlando to broadcast the 2009 AAU International Tournament, but things fell into place a week ago, when the two got the call they were hoping for. The two will host a bi-coastal sports talk show, focusing on smaller, niche sports, along with broadcasting duties that are expected to include women’s softball.
(Photo: Jim Flanagan and Kyle Smith, visiting ESPN in January)
As readers know, Kyle Smith is a graduate of the broadcasting program at Mohawk College in Ontario, Canada, and has been broadcasting men’s fastpitch for Ballparkradio for several years, including the ISC II Tournament of Champions, the AAU International Tournament, as well as a few games at the ISC World Tournament. His work has been well received by fans of Ballparkradio where he quickly became a favorite. Smith has also worked broadcasting minor-league hockey near his home in Ontario, Canada.
Kyle said that his first love in broadcasting remains men’s fastpitch.
“I’ve been around men’s fastpitch my whole life, and I love watching and broadcasting the game. I have appreciated the opportunity to work with Jim, and Blair Setford and all of the guys on the Ballparkradio crew, to hone my skills. I’m going to miss them, but not forget them.”
Flanagan, will take a short sabbatical from his law practice in Los Angeles for orientation and training at the Bristol studios, but will work on the show from the ESPN studios in Burbank, California. It is undetermined whether he will be joining Kyle Smith on the road with week-to-week broadcasting duties.
“I’m hopeful that Kyle and I will be able to incorporate a bit of reporting on men’s fastpitch. It is a lifelong love of mine, and that won’t change.”