As spring approaches, it is that time again. It’s the season for dug outs, baseball fields and the comradery of the sport of baseball. Local sports enthusiast, autistic man Josh Gilbert, is celebrating a milestone in his sports announcing career.
For Josh Gilbert the baseball fields are like a second home.
“My father was a huge baseball fan and he took me to some major league baseball games; a lot of baseball games when I was a kid. And we used to play baseball in the backyard. I was a Rapid City Post 320 stars, Bat Boy, 20 years ago in 2002 and 2003. I do sometimes play hobby baseball out in the ball fields by myself. Sometimes I have some company. I grew up as a huge baseball fan, a diehard baseball fan.”
It was a natural fit for Josh to become a baseball announcer, with his inspiration being former RUSH announcer Sugar Ray Quinn. He practiced and eventually began announcing games on his own.
“The very first game I announced for real was at Canyon Lake Little League, which took place July 25th of 2012. I was nervous at first, but only at first. But right after the first pitch, I immediately, got the hang of it. After the end of the game, I told myself ‘Hey, I can do something with this.’ Been doing that ever since.”
And this year, Josh celebrates a 10-year milestone as the voice of local little league.
“What is so special about it is that you get to sit up in the crow’s nest, the best seat in the house and watch the ball players play. What I try to do is develop my own twist of the game and have some fun doing it. I get a lot of positive remarks from the fans after I get done announcing. That makes me feel great. I feel like, man, time really flies. I can’t believe I’ve been doing it this long. I really enjoy announcing and I look forward to continuing to do this for many years to come.”
At the opening ceremony officials presented Josh the honor of naming the Crows Nest at Canyon Lake Little League the official ‘Josh Gilbert Crows Nest.’ And gave him a free pass at the concessions for the season.
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