Get The Home Team Call

Like most sports fans, I usually end up becoming more frustrated with the network play by play than I do my team's play on the field.  Dick Stockton is the prime offender to my ears and sports sensibility.  A bit of quick thinking leads to the ultimate solution "I'll just turn on the radio and listen to it while I turn down the audio on the TV."  Great idea but due to the speed sending the television signal to a satellite or through a cable vs receiving the radio signal at home, the two sources are generally out of sync with the radio revealing the play seconds before you see it on the television.

After a bit of research there are several methods to listen to the local radio play by play in sync.  The methods range from a somewhat costly to free with a bit of effort.

1. The Delay Play Method - This is the costliest method but the easiest (possibly).  Basically, you hook the Delay Play device to the radio and adjust the delay from 0 to 16 seconds. It has an output connection that can connect to a reciver or powered speakers.  Available at ScannerMaster.  Cost: $200.
2. The SportsSyncRadio Method - Similar to method one but at a lower cost.  This solution is an actual radio with built in speaker that will allow you to set the delay between 0 and 8 seconds.  Also available at Scannermaster (This link is from the Bear's Radio Network website so they are a sponsor of the Bears.) Cost: $40
3. The iTunes Method - Requires a PC and a TV with DVR.  Radio Legend Steve Dahl unveiled this method on his daily podcast (dahlCast).  This method requires that the radio station that broadcasts your team's games streams over iTunes.  If they don't, try method 4 or 5.  Cost: Patience

Steps -

1. Start up iTunes and bring up the play by play. 

2. Pause the game on the DVR. The TV broadcast will be ahead of iTunes in this case. 

3. As soon as the action on the iTunes hits where you paused it, unpause the DVR.  If you did it right, you'll be in sync.  If not, try pausing iTunes and then re-sync with the TV. 

It's better to be close than frustrated because it's not perfect.   Remember, close is better than Dick Stockton.

4. The Home Team's Website Method. - Some teams stream their game day play by play on the internet.  If so, you might be able to use the iTunnes method substituting the iTunes feed with the local teams feed. Steps and Cost: See Number 3.
5. The Radio Station Website Method - Similar to numbers 3 and 4 but using the stream from the radio station that carries the home teams games. Steps and Cost: See Number 3.

If all of these methods fail, you can just buck up and get to love Dick Stockton.  Hey, if Leslie Visser can, so can you.