World Series calling nothing new for Ralph Black

Published 10:36 pm Monday, August 3, 2009

Longtime sports broadcaster Ralph Black is in Enterprise this week to call the Junior Boys Dixie World Series, something that isn’t new for Black.

“I’ve called countless World Series games,” Black said. “I can’t remember off the top of my head when the first one I called was. I’d have to look that up somewhere in my books.”

Black said he got his start in sports broadcasting in the mid-seventies.

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“I mainly started in 1976,” Black said. “I did a little bit before that, but ’76 was when I really started to do it a lot.”

Black developed a love for sports at a young age, and that was what led him to take up sports broadcasting as a career.

“I was a no-good athlete,” Black said. “I just had to figure out some way to stay involved with it when my playing days were over.”

Black eventually made his way to Troy, where he was the voice of Troy University sports for many years.

His arrival in Troy was no accident. Black said he was determined to move to Troy for the sake of his family.

“We were living in the big city where drugs were prevalent,” Black said. “Drugs were offered to my five and seven-year-old children, so I told my wife we just had to get out of there.”

His time in Troy has led Black to fall in love with the town, something he attributes to the wholesome atmosphere.

“I just love this town,” Black said. “It’s a great place to live. The people in Troy are just fantastic. I wanted to raise my children here.”

While the town may have been what drew Black to Troy, his passion for calling sports has caused him to remain, even after many years.

“I just love doing the sports,” Black said.

“I get to work with great coaches and great athletes, not to mention the super guys I’ve worked with on-air over the years.”

Black can be heard calling the rest of the series on 94.7 FM WTBF.