What a play by the play-by-play guy!
An announcer for the Atlantic League’s Somerset Patriots became part of the action Wednesday night when he bare-handed a screaming foul ball behind home plate during the team’s game against the High Point Rockers in Bridgewater Township, New Jersey.
“Cardullo swings and fouls it off, towards the broadcast booth, and I make the catch on the foul ball,” broadcaster Marc Schwartz said, barely missing a beat. “I am very proud of myself.”
Schwartz, director of broadcasting and media relations for the team, then forcefully pumped a fist in the air before tossing the ball back into the crowd and hoisting his arms in celebration.
“I hope somebody got video of that – as I caught it on the fly and it’s a 1-2 count,” Schwartz continued. “Boy am I impressive, what a play by me.”
The magnificent snag was captured on video by Mike Ashmore, the Patriots’ beat writer for MyCentralJersey.com who is downplaying his role in the footage.
“Before my phone catches on fire … I deserve z-e-r-o credit here,” Ashmore tweeted. “Y’all know how I feel about the Somerset org, @MarcSchwartz26, etc.”
Schwartz’s play didn’t transfer onto the field for the Patriots, however, who lost to High Point 3-1.