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Michael Seitz has been named the new play-by-play broadcaster of the Bakerfield Train Robbers. Let's meet the new voice of the Train Robbers.
What can listeners expect when they hear a Michael Seitz broadcast?
I am a very extroverted, high-energy person and that translates into the booth. I am goingto get excited when something big happens in the game and that will come through on thebroadcast with my tone and volume. Each broadcast will be exciting and engaging. I also like tothink I know the game of baseball inside and out. I will explain what is happening in the game,especially the less known/seen parts of the game, to help everyone tuning in to understandexactly what is happening and why it is happening. Either way, no game will be boring from mystandpoint.
What got you interested in baseball broadcasting?
I have loved baseball for as long as I can remember. My grandfather instilled the love ofthe game in my dad, and he passed it down to me. The only difference is that I took that love forthe game and obsessed over it. I can remember playing wiffle ball in my backyard with myfriends and literally calling the game while playing the field or while in the box. It feels like Iwas born to do this. That coupled with watching almost every Pittsburgh Pirates game for myentire life and idolizing play-by-play broadcaster Greg Brown really propelled my interest inbroadcasting. I always knew sports would play a major part of my life and figuring out I couldmake it a career was like a "see the light" moment for me.
What do you like most about broadcasting baseball?
I love the story telling aspect of the broadcast. Like I mentioned before, I am simply abaseball junky. After watching the Pirates (usually lose unless it was 2013-15) the TV wasimmediately flipped to MLB Network. As it approached 10:00 in the East, the network usuallypicked up a West Coast broadcast. Often it was the Dodgers. That’s where I was formallyintroduced to the greatest broadcaster of all time: Vin Scully. The way he called games wasincredible. Not only was he by himself in the booth, but he kept the viewer engaged the entiretime. In the pre-pitch clock era, that was hard to accomplish. Scully not only called the game, but he educated you not just on the player’s and team’s background and pasts but also on life and the real world. Now I won’t be in the booth lecturing about random stuff, but there’s an art tobalancing the game and filling the empty space between pitches. Filling the time effectively andcalling the game well is an art very few can master that Scully did the best.
What broadcasting experience do you have?
I officially made my broadcasting debut for St. Bonaventure University athletics duringmy time studying there. The university partners with ESPN to broadcast pretty much every sportthat was not nationally televised through ESPN+. One of my professors ran every broadcastwhile students filled out every other role including the talent. I called baseball, softball,basketball and soccer games at St. Bonaventure. I then served as the co-lead broadcaster for the West Virginia Black Bears of the MLB Draft League in summer 2022 between my junior and senior year of college. That was an absolute blast, and we won the Draft League that summer. I also have experience in hockey as I called 13 youth circuit games for the North American Hockey League over two days last winter. That was a marathon and I had no voice by the end of the weekend but boy was it worth it.
When will you be graduating from St. Bonaventure?
I graduated from St. Bonaventure in May 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts in Sports Media. Ifirmly stand by the belief that St. Bonaventure, New York is the greatest place on Earth. Notmany people know of its existence as the smallest division one school in the country. Bonas islocated about an hour south of Buffalo, NY and is known for their journalism and businessprograms. I truly believe the university prepared me overall for the real world and industry betterthan any other could have. If you have the time, look us up. It could be the place for you (if youdon't mind tons of snow including in May three of my four years there). It always has been andwill be Go Bonas!
Which baseball broadcaster do you greatly admire?
There were three broadcasters that really inspired me to take this path. The first is GregBrown. Brown is the only play-by-play voice of the Pirates that has been with the team since Ican consciously remember. I share his energy and love for the Pirates, even with their lack ofsuccess in my lifetime. The second is Vin Scully. I firmly believe he is the greatest sportsbroadcaster to ever live. The things he did on the mic and the amount of time he was in the booth remain incredible. The third is legendary hockey voice Doc Emrick. The number of iconic calls from Doc is wild. He is another one of the most recognizable voices ever in the industry. The passion he has and phrasing he uses is iconic. It also helped he was the voice of three Stanley Cup runs of my Penguins. I quote Doc’s most famous sayings in my every day life.
You grew up in Pittsburgh. Pirates fan?
I love the Pittsburgh Pirates. I want nothing more in life than for the club to win theWorld Series. I will cry real tears if that ever happens. I attended 41 of the Bucs’ 81 home games a year ago and plan on going to nearly every single one I am home for this year. AndrewMcCutchen is my favorite athlete of all time as well.
What are you looking forward to most about broadcasting for the Train Robbers?
I am looking forward to calling meaningful, high-level baseball in a new, exciting place. Ireally have heard great things about Bakersfield and the surrounding area. I love people as well, so I am looking forward to meeting a ton of new faces when I come out there in May. I have also heard some wild stories about Sam Lynn Ballpark from manager Bill Rogan, so I am looking forward to exploring the complex and seeing some of these things for myself.
Aside from baseball, what experiences are you looking forward to in California?
Well, I have never been to California. Before my trip to Grand Tetons and YellowstoneNational Parks last September, the furthest West I had ever been was Toledo, Ohio (sad I know). My research on the area revealed that there are seven National Parks like a four-hour drive or less from Bakersfield. I am going to try to get to as many of those as possible, especially Yosemite and Sequoia. I also have never seen the Pacific Ocean so I will be getting there at some point. There are other items on my list, too, but another major thing is the local food scene. I love food, especially fresh, local cuisine. I am very excited to see what Bakersfield has to offer.
The Train Robbers 2026 season opens May 18 at Sam Lynn Ballpark against the Monterey Amberjacks. For more information, go to www.bakersfieldtrainrobbers.com
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