Bayrouty right at home in Stockton

STOCKTON, Calif. -- There are worse places to land after graduating college than Banner Island Ballpark in Stockton, Calif., but radio announcer Zack Bayrouty would argue there aren't many places that would be better.

Bayrouty, who graduated from Northeastern University in 2005, got his start in baseball as an intern with the Florida State League's Jupiter Hammerheads under play-caller Bo Fulginiti.

When Fulginiti was offered a position with the Class A Advanced Stockton Ports for the 2006 season, he asked Bayrouty to follow him to California. Bayrouty did and was thrilled to see the stadium he would be working in.

"It was very exciting," Bayrouty said. "I'd never been to the ballpark before I moved out, so when I did finally see it I was just blown away. I couldn't be happier, especially at this level. It's really a blessing that I get to go and work there everyday."

Things got even better for Bayrouty at the conclusion of the 2006 season when Fulginiti left the team. Bayrouty assumed play-calling responsibilities outright and secured a seat in what he calls his favorite spot in the ballpark.

"My office [laughs] ... I spend the most time there and it's probably the coolest office in the place, maybe even cooler than [general manager Trevor Fawcett's] office," said Bayrouty. "I call games from there as well, so I don't have to go far to go to the broadcast booth. Everything I need is right there."

It's the rest of Banner Island Ballpark, however, that Bayrouty said makes it one of the best parks in the California League.

"The ballpark sits right on the water," he said. "There isn't another ballpark in the league that sits right on the water. Ours does. That's pretty cool.

"Combine that with it being brand new, and the sight lines are fantastic wherever you go -- that's why this place is so cool."

Bayrouty said he is also a fan of the park's "360-degee" concourse, which allows fans to walk all the way around the field to take in different angles of the action during games.

During his short time with the Ports, Bayrouty has seen a slew of talent come through the park, but he said Travis Buck has been by far the most successful Port he's called a game for.

"He was playing in Stockton last year and look where he is now," Bayrouty said. "He's the starting right fielder for the Oakland A's. He's someone who I will always be able to say, 'Hey, I called a game of his in Stockton.'"

Bayrouty said Luke Appert, who made a couple of appearances with the Ports since 2006 before returning to the Double-A Midland RockHounds in May, was a fan favorite as well.

But when it comes to memorable games for Bayrouty, he said there is one that stands far as the best he's called for the Ports -- a contest on July 4, 2006, when the Ports overcame a huge deficit to beat the Modesto Nuts.

"We had a huge crowd in the park, obviously, because it was July 4," he said. "It's one of our biggest games of the year for us, and we thought we were going to get blown out. Then we produce this huge comeback and end up winning. I've never seen the ballpark as crazy as it was that night."

It was tough for Bayrouty to adhere to his play-calling mantra that night, which entails letting the game and the home crowd tell the story for him instead of filling the airways with catchy one-liners.

"I always try and be natural," Bayrouty said. "I'll never force it on anyone. I never want to put my own stamp on the game. I don't think that's how it should be.

"If someone turns on the radio to listen to me call a baseball game, it's like they're inviting me into their house. So you never want to be over the top and be a rude guest. You always have to keep that in the back of your mind."

Providing a quality service to the community is something Bayrouty takes pride in, especially, he said, because the city of Stockton welcomed him with open arms.

"I'd venture to say that Stockton is one of the best communities in the Cal League," he said. "The people here are great, especially our season ticket holders. They really make you feel like you're part of the community."

Bayrouty said the fans provide a good atmosphere in Stockton since most have followed the Ports since before Banner Island Ballpark, when they played at Billy Hubert Field. The Ports got their start in the community in 1941.

"We get good crowds here," he said. "We're averaging about 3,000 a night, which is good compared to other places you go in the league. Some of that has to do with it being a new ballpark, but it's also the fans around here are very loyal to the Ports."