Patrick Kinas Heads to Rio as Local Personalities Set to Fill In
Durham Bulls play-by-play broadcaster Patrick Kinas will miss a block of 22 games from July 31-Aug. 22, as he heads to Brazil to broadcast swimming and other events for Westwood One radio at the 2016 Olympic Games held in Rio de Janeiro. For the duration of Kinas’ absence, the team has lined up a wealth of seasoned broadcasters to fill the void left behind the microphone.
“I have nothing but gratitude for the Durham Bulls, particularly General Manager Mike Birling, Vice President George Habel and (Capitol Broadcasting President and CEO) Mr. (Jim) Goodmon, for allowing me the opportunity to go to Rio,” Kinas said. “Their unwavering support has meant so much to me. That backing underscores how loudly CBC cheers for the absolute best for its employees. While it’s unfortunate I have to miss three weeks of Bulls baseball, having the chance to broadcast the Olympic Games has been a dream of mine since I was a little kid, and one no one wanted to see me pass up. The Bulls will be in very good hands while I’m gone.”
To cover the 22 games the fifth-year Bulls broadcaster will miss, the team has assembled a list of Triangle-based personalities to fill-in, providing unique and distinct calls on the team’s broadcasts. WRAL evening anchor David Crabtree will call the game on Aug. 6, while Adam Gold of 99.9 The Fan’s afternoon drive show ‘Adam and Joe’ will broadcast a pair of games on Aug. 7 and Aug. 14.
The organization will dip into the college ranks for replacements as well, as ‘The Voice of the Blue Devils’ Bob Harris will be Kinas’ first fill-in on July 31, while UNC’s baseball voice Dave Nathan will handle the games on Aug. 3 and 4. Gary Hahn, the radio voice for NC State football and basketball for over 25 years, will call the team’s contests Aug. 12 and 13.
Greensboro-based radio host Chris Kelly of the ‘2 Guys Named Chris’ show on Rock 92 will announce the Aug. 5 contest, and former Carolina Mudcats broadcaster Joe Bourdow will handle a trio of games from Aug. 18-20. Rick Berkey and Greg Hofer, a pair of former Midwest League announcers, will handle duties for the Bulls’ trip to Columbus, Ohio from Aug. 15-17, and the team’s Director of Communications Matt Sutor will broadcast seven games over the three-week span, filling in on a pair of road trips to Norfolk and one to Pawtucket.
The Durham Bulls are in the midst of a six-game homestand that runs through Sunday, July 31. Single-game tickets and group ticket packages are available now. For more information visit durhambulls.com, the Frontier Communications Ticket Office or call 919.956.BULL.
Thanks to DBBC’s Matt Sutor for this capcom story.