The Capital Times - Behind the Mike: No stage fright for voice of Mallards

[bigtalkradiofan]

Preface Note - The Capital Times recently ran an interesting profile on the Madison Mallards radio play-by-play guy - see newspaper link pasted below for more information:

http://www.madison.com/tct/sports/mallards/293273

Behind the Mike: No stage fright for voice of Mallards

Epiphany at Lambeau prompted Larson's move from theater to press box

Mike Lucas — 6/25/2008 10:33 pm
The Capital Times

Photo - Ben Larson is in his second season as the radio play-by-play voice of the Madison Mallards on WTLX-FM/100.5.

In some respects, Ben Larson is no different than the college baseball players who are toiling for the Madison Mallards in the Northwoods League. Like the pitcher from Purdue or the shortstop from Illinois, he's gaining valuable on-the-job training. While they're doing it on the field, he's doing it in the booth.

"I'm learning how to achieve consistency," said Larson, the 29-year-old Mallards radio play-by-play voice from Rice Lake and UW-Oshkosh. "I'm learning the ins and outs and how to deal with them when you're just 'off' on a given night, and the words aren't coming out like you want them to."

After taking a "crash course" in balancing highs and lows last summer, Larson feels more comfortable with the routine entering his second season with the Mallards. On the road, he flies solo, while he shares the mic for home games with Jim Rutledge and Gabe Neitzel, both of whom work for the originating radio station, WTLX-FM/100.5. ...

[Click link above for the complete newspaper article.]