Spikes announcer Joe Putnam reflects on career

STATE COLLEGE — “Over and out.” This is sportscaster Joe Putnam’s home-run call.

Wearing a red, long-sleeved shirt with the State College Spikes’ logo, Putnam, play-by-play announcer for the Spikes, sat in the media room with smiles and observed the almost empty field with one person doing field maintenance.

The Bellefonte native started broadcasting for the Spikes in 2008 and became the director of communication in 2019. Putnam also has over 10 years play-by-play experience for Penn State athletics.

Putnam grew up listening to Pittsburgh sportscasters Lanny Frattare, Bill Hillgrove and Mike Lange, and went on to study broadcast journalism at Syracuse University.

Medlar Field is Putnam’s home in the summer. During game days, he spends 12-14 hours at the stadium. He meets staff members in the morning, fact-checks starting lineups, statistics, conducts promotions and productions, does the play-by-play of the game, and leaves the ballpark around midnight.

Goats on the field, motorcyclists, BMX bikers and human cannonballs are among his efforts to bring fun to the Spikes’ games.

“When you see the smiles on faces here, when we’re able to make positive memories for fans, when we’re able to be part of great events, special moments, those are the moments that make it all worthwhile,” Putnam said.

Using descriptive language to help people understand the action is important in radio broadcasting as people can’t see the scene, he said.

“He throws the ball, slings the ball, underhands the ball, he swings, he takes a cut. Steps in, goes to the dish, coming to the plate,” Putnam said. “You’re adding to the picture.”

His home-run call “over and out” means the end of the conversation, coming from comedian George Carlin. When he saw a home run during his brother’s team game, he started using this call.

Putnam imitated the voices of Frattare, Lange, and Hillgrove when he started broadcasting. Though he found his voice in broadcasting, he kept listening to different sportscasters’ calls. He uses different tones and words to describe what’s happening.

Putnam started sportscasting with his “model broadcaster” Steve Jones after joining the Spikes in 2008. He was inspired by Jones’ professionalism and dedication.

In 2014, Jones called a Penn State football game when head coach James Franklin first led the Lions in Ireland. One day later, he livecasted the Spikes’ game in Williamsport.

Jones also does pregame shows with Putnam. Though he is Putnam’s “model broadcaster,” he praised Putnam’s sales and promotion background.

“Nobody’s better at promotions than Joe is. He could do the promotions in August in June,” Jones said. “Working with him is an absolute pleasure.”

But sometimes, as in the case with Josiah Viera, Putnam’s work with the Spikes can be emotional.

Viera was never taller than three feet; his weight never exceeded 25 pounds, and he was diagnosed with progeria, a disease of rapid aging with an average-14-year lifespan, according to Mount Sinai Hospital. However, the disease did not take away Viera’s passion for baseball. He visited the Spikes in 2013, and was later given his own locker, uniform and became the team’s bench coach.

When he threw the pitch at the 2018 New York-Penn League All-Star game, both teams and the spectators stood up and clapped for him. Viera passed away on Christmas Eve 2018.

To honor Viera’s impact, the Spikes retired his No. 10 jersey. In 2023, the team auctioned their specialty jerseys with Viera’s name and number to benefit Geisinger’s Janet Weiss Children’s Hospital, which offered treatments for Viera.

“He was honored just for being who he was – someone with a passion for baseball; someone with a perseverance and determination that you couldn’t help but be inspired by; someone who helped show these young players and even people who had been in the game a long time.” Putnam said.

Being a member of the Spikes is most players’ first professional experience. Putnam enjoys helping them and watching them grow.

Putnam’s goal is to broadcast at the Major League level. As a Pittsburgh sports fan, he’d love to work for the Steelers, Pirates or Penguins.

But baseball games’ slower paces allowed him more time to tell stories. He calls baseball games a canvas that enables sportscasters to paint a picture.

Though the season only lasts in summer, Putnam works all year. He announces for Penn State baseball, holds charitable events with the team. He does broadcasts for Penn State athletics, and has done sideline reporting for Penn State football.

He encourages students interested in broadcasting to develop their use of descriptive language, vary their pitch and remind the audience of the score and time left in the game. Other duties like sales and public relations help people become multi-talented, he notes.

“Find mentors…always do your homework…do as many games as you can,” Putnam said. “As long as your destination is going as far as you can and still having fun, you’re on a good path.”

Putnam and the Spikes return to the baseball diamond on June 4 when they visit Trenton. The Spikes’ home opener is June 7 versus West Virginia.