By Mike Schnitzel
"It's nerve wracking," said the in-coming East Rockaway Junior/Senior High School tenth-grader. "You don't want to mess up and you want to do the best you can."
Despite his nervousness, Reynold's initial encounter with play-by-play left him inspired. "As soon as I was done I knew it was what I wanted to do because it's fun," said the life-long Mets fan.
Reynolds' journey began at a Sports Authority store in Westbury. Accompanied by his mother Julie, Reynolds spotted an area of the store where the contest was being promoted. Sitting in the middle of the store, Reynolds was handed a microphone, watched a baseball play on the screen, and called it, said his mother. Contestants were judged on enthusiasm, creativity, and accuracy.
A few weeks later, Reynolds received a phone call - he was among ten finalists to be chosen. The winner of the contest would get to announce the starting lineup at an as yet to be determined Mets game. Reynolds decided that he needed to prepare for such a momentous opportunity. "I practiced by watching all of the Mets games on mute and doing my own play-by-play," said Reynolds.
When the big moment came Reynolds was fully prepared, but nervous in front of three famous judges - former Mets pitcher Ron Darling, and Mets broadcasters Howie Rose and Tim McCarver.
"I had to call David Wright's three-run home run against the Marlins from about two-and-a-half weeks ago," said Reynolds.
Despite turning in a solid performance, Reynolds didn't win, but felt that the occasion was a learning experience. "And I got to meet a lot of famous people and have fun," said Reynolds, who also walked away with signed baseball memorabilia. "It was a good time."
Comments about this story? Mschnitzel@liherald.com or (516)569-4000 ext. 265.
