‘Round the Bases with Steve Wilhoit, Voice of the Greeneville Astros

Steve Wilhoit – Greeneville is my hometown and I truly consider it a privilege to have the opportunity to call these games for the second year. I played high school ball in this county for three years. My background includes close to 30 years in radio. I’ve done the play-for-play for many years in various sports at the college and high school levels and also have worked as a p.a. man at Tusculum College (where the Astros play their home games) in the past. Previously, I was on the broadcast team of the Elizabethton Twins for two years, working with Frank Santore. I’ll always be appreciative of Frank giving me the chance to sit in with him. Baseball is my true passion, year-round. I’ve also been involved in the print media aspect of covering baseball for several years and had the opportunity to serve as a beat writer for the Tennessee Smokies in the Southern League. Last year, I also wrote Appy League gamers for TriCitiesSports.com.

Wilhoit – It’s very good here because much of the prep info. is available when I arrive at the ballpark. That’s not always the case at other venues at this level. We have nice broadcast facilities which is a huge plus, too. I’ve worked other places (more so at the high school level) where it was really tough logistically to broadcast a game. I grew up attending Appy League games with my dad, going to Johnson City games when they were a Yankees’ affilliate. So I love this league and the minor league game. I remember seeing Terry Whitfield and Otto Velez, who went on to become good Major Leaguers, playing in this league with the J.C. Yankees. There’s not much downside to broadcasting minor league baseball to me.

Wilhoit – Well, getting to call the first pro home run in the Appy League by Joe Mauer when he was with Elizabethton would definitely top the list. It came in the championship series in a game at Bluefield. J.D. Durbin, who made the Majors, was pitching for the Twins that day. I’d have to say doing the play-by-play on two TSSAA state championship games in high school basketball was also a real culmination for me in broadcasting. Though the Astros struggled last year, I’d also put that high on the list since it was the opportunity to work in professional baseball in my home town. Another player along with Mauer who comes to mind came in high school football, as a school I was covering was playing Jason Witten’s team in the state quarterfinals. He was a man among boys.

Wilhoit – Jordan Lyles as a top draft pick stands out. It’s just a matter of building up his pitch-count. He is very young but you’d never know it. He has a grasp with his command, solid stuff, and I’m really impressed with his on-mound composure. The position player I’ve come to like the most is Kody Hinze, a first baseman. Hinze handles himself well around the bag at first base defensively. He can adjust around first on throws and makes the tough scoops. He looks to be on his way to being a very good hitter, for power, and perhaps for average, as well. Most impressive is his plate discipline for this league. He seldom waves at anything well out of the strike zone and also has consistently shown the patience to lay off the close pitches. It’s just a matter of him being out there about every day.

Spikesnstars.com thanks Steve for taking the time to do this interview with us.  You can catch the audio of the G’stros games at Greenevilleastros.com.  I personally would also like the thank Steve for letting me sit in with him for some of the games this year.