Jul 15, 2021 - Sports

MLB game to be called entirely by women for first time

Erin Doherty

Broadcasters Suzie Cool and Melanie Newman of the Salem Red Sox, single-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, prior to a Carolina League game on April 24, 2019 against the Potomac Nationals, — Broadcasters Suzie Cool (left) and Melanie Newman prior to a minor league game in 2019. Photo: Diamond Images/Getty Images

A Major League Baseball game will be called entirely by women next week for the first time ever on a broadcast, the New York Times reports.

Driving the news: Five women will serve as the on-air crew for the Baltimore Orioles game against the Tampa Bay Rays from St. Petersburg next Tuesday.

Women have been broadcasting baseball games for decades, but this is believed to be the first time an all-women team will handle the entire broadcast for a major league game, per the Times.
Melanie Newman, the Orioles’ radio play-by-play announcer, will call the action for the game; Sarah Langs, a baseball analyst and writer for MLB.com, will be the booth's analyst; Alanna Rizzo will be the on-field reporter; and Heidi Watney and Lauren Gardner will anchor the pregame and postgame shows.

What they're saying: "It can’t help but feel different,” Rizzo told the Times.

"I’ve always had a male play-by-play voice in my ear during every game I’ve ever done. ... It’s exciting to be a part of something like this," Rizzo said.

Add Axios on Google

MLB game to be called entirely by women for first time

What to read next