[News] Rick Ball leaves Flames broadcasts for Chicago

[Manhattanboy]

Rick is top of class in my view.

Great call of JG's Game 7 OT goal v Dallas 2 years ago.

Unlike Monster Truck who call every goal as if its Game 7 OT SCF.

[Manhattanboy]

He also reminds me a little of Sam Rosen in New York who is amazing.

[getbak]

This offseason...

[1_Flames_Fan]

Originally Posted by ben voyonsdonc

Ball reminds me a lot of a guy like Dan Shulman. Precise play call, natural chemistry with whoever is on colour, and just a true pro. Good luck to him in Chicago! Massive loss for us. Scorp, come on down!

Yeah Shulman is a great comparison. Maybe we can get him to do the Flames games? I think he does Raptors pbp once in awhile.

Bad news for Flames fans but I'm still very happy for Rick. One of the best and well deserved. Whoever his replacement is is going to have his/her work cut out for them to win over the fanbase.

[mogg]

Always had a feeling this would happen eventually. He was just too good to not be poached by a larger, big money market. Thanks for your many years of service Rick! You will be missed.

I don’t see it happening but I’d be good with Loubo. I feel nervous about what comes next; it’s such a bummer to not like your team’s PBP.

Edit: Actually Loubo would have to be on colour. That’s where he’s best suited.

[hwy19man]

Here is another link,

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/sports/nhl...46037f4a&ei=24

[PuckSlap]

This isn’t even funny. What the hell is going on with Calgary?

[Reggie Dunlop]

I like Derek Wills.

[habernac]

Rick was the best in the business. More good talent leaves Calgary. Nice job, Roger’s. Too bad Hrudey isn’t going with him.

[Gallick]

I'm more gutted about this than losing any player in the last few years. Rick calls such a good game and you can tell he loves what he does. Whoever replaces him will be a downgrade.

[fotze2]

Originally Posted by Beninho

This really is the darkest timeline

I thought it was Rick Bell, thank spendshi for that.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

I like Derek Wills.

Derek, is that you?

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Ball had a good deep ish voice and a steady cadence calling the game. It's going to be so difficult to find another decent voice.

Because deep voices are essential to a good game call.

[Rejean31]

Originally Posted by lazypucker

Sucks to see Rick Ball go, but hopefully this will put in motion to have a new broadcast team and replace Hrudey as well...

Local dude Harnarayan Singh is up next maybe?

Screw that. We do not need an Oiler fanboy as the voice of the Flames.

[T-Dog]

Awful news. I really hope we don’t get Singh. Nice guy, nice story but just can’t stand his calls and his pronunciation of Kadri. I honestly think I’d take a break from my SN subscription for a couple of years if we ended up with him.

[Zary's-Mustache]

If Derek wills gets promoted I'm just going to assume God hates Flames fans.

[Ferarri]

Originally Posted by N-E-B

I blame Sportsnet. The fact that they have Harnarayan Singh and Jack ####### Michaels calling big playoff games ahead of Rick is a slap in the face.

Big loss for us and very disappointing to hear. But very happy for Rick! That’s a huge market with a marquee superstar coming through the ranks. He will do great there!

Sportsnet is such a joke of a company. They basically had the next Chris Cuthbert with Ball and let him go in favour of guys like Michaels and Singh. He was easily the best regional PBP guy and they couldn’t promote him to the HNIC late game. I would have left as well.

Michales shouldn’t even be calling professional hockey games as his gimmick is so lame and over the top. Singh is adequate but hardly paid his dues like Rick and gets promoted ahead of him. Typical bush league etiquette by Sportsnet. I’m glad Rick took this opportunity but definitely disappointing as a Flames fan.

[taxbuster]

The next broadcast voice of the Calgary Flames will be:




The Mute Button.


Works every time and delivers a pleasant experience, often accompanied by tunes and beer. Add CC for the hockey-challenged if need be. Personally I have no need for sound unless I'm in another room not watching and just want to see goals or crazy penalty calls.


And it's one more nail in the box. More Mario please.

[ThisIsAnOutrage]

Say hello to your old friend Cassie Campbell.

[browna]

This is a gut punch. The only pleasant part of enduring bad Flames games this past years was the very good fortune of having a true professional call the game. Top 2 in Canada. He was not taken for granted by the fans, and any who did forgot Rob Kerr and may well realize it after a couple periods of game 1 in October.

For all the fantastic career Cuthbert had, he's changed. He has Leaf bias on him now, is sounding his age and his commentary is now limited to hunting to find some dramatic sound byte.

Bartlett who did the ECF is good and is Ball, but Ball and Millen as a team were the best commentators for watching a game that there is, and it's not close after having listend to the US guys in TNT and all the other Canadian regional guys.

My guess is we now get Singh so he can continue to learn on the job more than just one night a week.

Hope Ball excels in Chicago. His comeback calls for the Flames are great and of course his Dallas OT winner.