Thursday, December 23, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Happy Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving one and all!
I hope you all enjoyed your day of food, family, and football (not necessarily in that order) .... Thanksgiving is always a special day, as I love to take the time to really reflect back on the things that are most important to me.... the love of my great family, and the fact that I am truly blessed to do work that I love.
Today I attempted to launch a new aspect of my website... the streaming of sports events over my website, www.johnrleahy.com. It is an exciting venture that, once I get it going, will be over the top. The sky will be the limit.
As with any new technology, there is a learning curve involved. Today I took a few lumps, but learning definitely did occur. In spite of my best efforts, I was unable to get the broadcast on for the first half. I attribute that to my newness with the technology and to a lesser extent maybe some connection issues. But I was able to get the thing going and stream the second half of the game (oh, by the way, Stoughton won, 26-6).
The technology I am using is called UStream. It is a broadcast platform where you can broadcast anything. Here is the catch- the device I use will depend on where I am and what the Internet connection is. If I am in a place where wireless is available, I will bring my laptop and do an audio broadcast. Here's the GREAT thing about that- I will be able to post on Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, etc., and chat with you during the event. That is an invaluable tool in my opinion. Unfortunately, many high school locations do not have wireless capability. In that event, I will do the game straight from my phone (as I did today). As far as I can tell, doing it this way requires me to video the event while providing commentary, and my chat options are much more limited. But as I said the sky is the limit. I have used this technology previously in my baseball time in Kalamazoo, and I love it. Oh, and I can instantly see how many viewers I have!
I just want to ask for your patience as I continue to work out the kinks. Once I learn everything I need to know, watch out. These streams will get better and better. For those who tuned in and could not view the broadcast, I'm sorry. Thanks for trying. And for those who stuck with it and eventually saw the broadcast today, thanks to you as well.
I found out also that during the game, whenever I received a text message or AIM, the broadcast would kick off the air and I would have to relaunch it. Ah, yes, part of the learning curve again.
As for the other stuff in my life, Merrimack hockey is going great. The team is 4-2-4 and became a ranked team in the national polls for the FIRST TIME in school history. Yes, that is a big deal. I love every second of this job. Let me go back to the Thanksgiving concept again- I truly feel blessed to be broadcasting hockey, It is a lifetime dream. Somebody pinch me.
As for the baseball stuff, I am still very much in limbo. I have heard nothing from the Freedom, and every day that goes by lessens the chances I will be back there. This whole situation deeply saddens me, especially now that my good friend and former colleague Fran Riordan is heading in to manage the team in 2011. How wonderful would it be to be reunited with Fran again..... but all indications are that the team is looking elsewhere for a broadcaster.
I'm also working on my next book, my auto biography. The manuscript is due out in February.
Whew! Have I told you enough?
I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Enjoy " Black Friday" tomorrow. How many of you are hitting the stores at 3 AM?
I'll catch you all soon!
I hope you all enjoyed your day of food, family, and football (not necessarily in that order) .... Thanksgiving is always a special day, as I love to take the time to really reflect back on the things that are most important to me.... the love of my great family, and the fact that I am truly blessed to do work that I love.
Today I attempted to launch a new aspect of my website... the streaming of sports events over my website, www.johnrleahy.com. It is an exciting venture that, once I get it going, will be over the top. The sky will be the limit.
As with any new technology, there is a learning curve involved. Today I took a few lumps, but learning definitely did occur. In spite of my best efforts, I was unable to get the broadcast on for the first half. I attribute that to my newness with the technology and to a lesser extent maybe some connection issues. But I was able to get the thing going and stream the second half of the game (oh, by the way, Stoughton won, 26-6).
The technology I am using is called UStream. It is a broadcast platform where you can broadcast anything. Here is the catch- the device I use will depend on where I am and what the Internet connection is. If I am in a place where wireless is available, I will bring my laptop and do an audio broadcast. Here's the GREAT thing about that- I will be able to post on Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, etc., and chat with you during the event. That is an invaluable tool in my opinion. Unfortunately, many high school locations do not have wireless capability. In that event, I will do the game straight from my phone (as I did today). As far as I can tell, doing it this way requires me to video the event while providing commentary, and my chat options are much more limited. But as I said the sky is the limit. I have used this technology previously in my baseball time in Kalamazoo, and I love it. Oh, and I can instantly see how many viewers I have!
I just want to ask for your patience as I continue to work out the kinks. Once I learn everything I need to know, watch out. These streams will get better and better. For those who tuned in and could not view the broadcast, I'm sorry. Thanks for trying. And for those who stuck with it and eventually saw the broadcast today, thanks to you as well.
I found out also that during the game, whenever I received a text message or AIM, the broadcast would kick off the air and I would have to relaunch it. Ah, yes, part of the learning curve again.
As for the other stuff in my life, Merrimack hockey is going great. The team is 4-2-4 and became a ranked team in the national polls for the FIRST TIME in school history. Yes, that is a big deal. I love every second of this job. Let me go back to the Thanksgiving concept again- I truly feel blessed to be broadcasting hockey, It is a lifetime dream. Somebody pinch me.
As for the baseball stuff, I am still very much in limbo. I have heard nothing from the Freedom, and every day that goes by lessens the chances I will be back there. This whole situation deeply saddens me, especially now that my good friend and former colleague Fran Riordan is heading in to manage the team in 2011. How wonderful would it be to be reunited with Fran again..... but all indications are that the team is looking elsewhere for a broadcaster.
I'm also working on my next book, my auto biography. The manuscript is due out in February.
Whew! Have I told you enough?
I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Enjoy " Black Friday" tomorrow. How many of you are hitting the stores at 3 AM?
I'll catch you all soon!
Monday, September 27, 2010
Recap of the summer of 2010
Hello everybody, I know it has been a while, but now that baseball season is over I have a little bit of time before my winter assignment kicks in and I thought I would blog a bit. Just a few thoughts about my summer in Florence, KY.
The Florence Freedom finished up the season with a final record of 38-58. We finished in fifth place in the Frontier League's Western Division, ahead of the Evansville Otters. Everyone connected with the organization was disappointed with our record, because we all knew that the team we put on the field was better than the record indicated. For sure, it was not because of a lack of effort, it was just "one of those seasons." I don't like to make excuses, but injuries played a key role in the struggles we had. Losing our best starter, Everett Saul, certainly did not help. We also lost Michael Campbell, the heart and soul of our team, to a broken forearm. Pitching and defense wins championships, and in spite of our best efforts and how hard we battled night in and night out, we just didn't get the results we were looking for.
I personally enjoyed the season. If I am broadcasting baseball, then by default I am enjoying my life and my work. We could have been 0-96 and I still would have loved coming to the park every day. The Freedom had a great group of guys, and I really enjoyed being with them on a daily basis.
I also want to take a moment to thank the entire front office staff for welcoming me in for the 2010 season. What a great group of people! Toby Rumfield , our manager, who always treated me well; Coaches Pedro Flores and Pete Rose Jr., who made it truly fun for me; Kari Rumfield, our award winning GM (she won Executive of the Year in 2009), Josh Anderson, who taught me a few things and definitely played a key role in my growth as a broadcaster, Alyssa Meyer , our outstanding director of on-field entertainment; Stadium Steve Mace, ticket manager Dana White, Elizabeth Quatman, one of our outstanding account execs and all around great gal; Deidra Brown, our superb concessions manager; Matt Resar, our jack of all trades who helped me out on so may occasions; Kevin Schwab, our Hall of Fame PA announcer, Emily Christman, our wonderful music lady; and all the interns who made the summer special, including my right hand man Nick Dobreff, who worked exhaustingly all summer long, and Megan Smith, who was a tag team partner as well.
And of course thanks go to Clint and Kim Brown for their friendship and support in 2010. I really owe them a lot, as they gave me a chance to once again fulfill my life's dream and do the work I was born to do.
Now that my time is a bit more freer (not by much, as hockey preparations are underway), I will make an effort to be on more. More baseball musings coming soon. Thanks for checking in.
The Florence Freedom finished up the season with a final record of 38-58. We finished in fifth place in the Frontier League's Western Division, ahead of the Evansville Otters. Everyone connected with the organization was disappointed with our record, because we all knew that the team we put on the field was better than the record indicated. For sure, it was not because of a lack of effort, it was just "one of those seasons." I don't like to make excuses, but injuries played a key role in the struggles we had. Losing our best starter, Everett Saul, certainly did not help. We also lost Michael Campbell, the heart and soul of our team, to a broken forearm. Pitching and defense wins championships, and in spite of our best efforts and how hard we battled night in and night out, we just didn't get the results we were looking for.
I personally enjoyed the season. If I am broadcasting baseball, then by default I am enjoying my life and my work. We could have been 0-96 and I still would have loved coming to the park every day. The Freedom had a great group of guys, and I really enjoyed being with them on a daily basis.
I also want to take a moment to thank the entire front office staff for welcoming me in for the 2010 season. What a great group of people! Toby Rumfield , our manager, who always treated me well; Coaches Pedro Flores and Pete Rose Jr., who made it truly fun for me; Kari Rumfield, our award winning GM (she won Executive of the Year in 2009), Josh Anderson, who taught me a few things and definitely played a key role in my growth as a broadcaster, Alyssa Meyer , our outstanding director of on-field entertainment; Stadium Steve Mace, ticket manager Dana White, Elizabeth Quatman, one of our outstanding account execs and all around great gal; Deidra Brown, our superb concessions manager; Matt Resar, our jack of all trades who helped me out on so may occasions; Kevin Schwab, our Hall of Fame PA announcer, Emily Christman, our wonderful music lady; and all the interns who made the summer special, including my right hand man Nick Dobreff, who worked exhaustingly all summer long, and Megan Smith, who was a tag team partner as well.
And of course thanks go to Clint and Kim Brown for their friendship and support in 2010. I really owe them a lot, as they gave me a chance to once again fulfill my life's dream and do the work I was born to do.
Now that my time is a bit more freer (not by much, as hockey preparations are underway), I will make an effort to be on more. More baseball musings coming soon. Thanks for checking in.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Book update
Hello everyone,
Thanks to all who took the time to order my new book, Living A King's Life! There are plenty of copies available, so please do feel free to pick up a copy if you haven't done so already! The book will also be coming out in paperback as well, so I am truly excited about that.
To check out the book and/or order a copy, I invite you to check out this link:
http://www.publishamerica.net/product92257.html.
Thank you!
Thanks to all who took the time to order my new book, Living A King's Life! There are plenty of copies available, so please do feel free to pick up a copy if you haven't done so already! The book will also be coming out in paperback as well, so I am truly excited about that.
To check out the book and/or order a copy, I invite you to check out this link:
http://www.publishamerica.net/product92257.html.
Thank you!
Friday, June 4, 2010
Living A King's Life is on sale NOW!
I am proud to announce that my brand new book, Living A King's Life, is on sale NOW through Publish America! It was a lot of hard work, but it is so worth it!
If you'd like to read about the book or would consider buying a copy, simply visit the following link:
http://www.publishamerica.net/product92257.html .
Thanks to all my family and friends for your support!
If you'd like to read about the book or would consider buying a copy, simply visit the following link:
http://www.publishamerica.net/product92257.html .
Thanks to all my family and friends for your support!
Monday, May 31, 2010
Living A King's Life is coming.... soon!
Well, more news about the book. At the end of last week, I received two separate E-mails containing my cover design for the book as well as the text proofs. They asked me to go through the manuscript one last time and make final edits before the book goes to print. I was up until 2 AM last night going over the manuscript, page by page and word by word. There were about twenty errors that I fixed. This information needed to get to the publisher by 5 PM on June 1. Sure, I could have done it today on my day off, but I am so anxious to get this book out, so I expedited the process.
After these final edits are made, the book will head off to the printer. I will keep you all posted on details as I get them.
As for the current baseball season, the Freedom are 3-6. We won ugly last night 8-7 on a walkoff wild pitch. It is not often that you win when making five errors, but I give credit to the Freedom for hanging in there. Next up is a doubleheader against Oakland County on Wednesday.
After these final edits are made, the book will head off to the printer. I will keep you all posted on details as I get them.
As for the current baseball season, the Freedom are 3-6. We won ugly last night 8-7 on a walkoff wild pitch. It is not often that you win when making five errors, but I give credit to the Freedom for hanging in there. Next up is a doubleheader against Oakland County on Wednesday.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Living A King's Life update
Well, I heard from my publishers last week and happily all of my attachments, pictures, and my manuscript were accepted for the book and now it is in the text production stage. A formatter will begin work on my book, at which point it will then be sent to the art department, where the cover design will be done. I am so impatient..... I know it will take time, even up to six to eight months, but I am also being told it could be shorter. It can't come soon enough.
Back on the subject of baseball, things are hectic here in Florence. The Freedom played their final exhibition game today, losing to the Evansville Otters 7-0. Now we are at the stage where we need to cut down our roster to the league mandated 24 players. We go to battle in the season opener this Friday night, in Sauget, Illinois, against the Gateway Grizzlies. It's go time.
Talk to you all soon!
Back on the subject of baseball, things are hectic here in Florence. The Freedom played their final exhibition game today, losing to the Evansville Otters 7-0. Now we are at the stage where we need to cut down our roster to the league mandated 24 players. We go to battle in the season opener this Friday night, in Sauget, Illinois, against the Gateway Grizzlies. It's go time.
Talk to you all soon!
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