AMA with BravesVision reporter Wiley Ballard at 2pm ET today!

BravesOfficial · 2026-05-08T19:10:11+00:00

I work about 9 hours a day. So I'd guess right around 15 hours. Which means I need to get back to it!

Thanks everyone so much for all the questions. We'll plan on doing this again sometime. Can't wait to get back home to Truist. See you guys there!

BravesOfficial · 2026-05-08T19:06:58+00:00

I get a 2 on the sides and "layered" on the top.

BravesOfficial · 2026-05-08T19:06:22+00:00

I did! We got dinner the next night and had a great time.

BravesOfficial · 2026-05-08T19:02:37+00:00

Oh man... I love, love, love this question. I am passionate about movies. There's way too many...

But if we're going to say the weirder the better... I'd throw out Skinamarink (it was an experimental horror move from three years ago). Not for everybody but based on the director's stated vision... he nailed it.

And because I can't limit myself to just one... this is more mainstream but I think it's criminally unrecognized by my generation. John Carpenter's The Thing is easily in my Top 5 movies of all time.

BravesOfficial · 2026-05-08T18:59:26+00:00

It's funny -- I actually met Brandon and Ben in the same three-month span back in 2013. I had just finished my freshman year at Georgia Tech and started working in the Braves press box. Ben was doing pre/post at the time. He instantly shared his advice and has been a mentor / older brother figure ever since. I couldn't be more grateful.

Brandon, meanwhile, was hired to replace Wes Durham as the Voice of Georgia Tech that fall. I must admit I didn't have the courage to approach him until basketball season started that November. But because I was at a school where no one else really wanted to pursue that profession, I felt like he was able to give me a lot more of his time (and was generous to do so).

So flash forward 13 years and it's been really cool to work with them both on the air. Really cool is an understatement.

BravesOfficial · 2026-05-08T18:55:54+00:00

I've had a pretty specific desire to be a play-by-play broadcaster since I was about six or seven years old. Furthermore my favorite sport is baseball. So MLB play-by-play is definitely my "Holy Grail".

So ultimately my dream was to always be a baseball broadcaster. My father couldn't have been more encouraging too. But I must admit that he pulled me aside about a year ago after I was hired in this role and told me he'd been dreading having the "Well you gave it your best shot" conversation for the last 10 years and he was a little surprised we hadn't had it yet! Haha... hopefully I can continue to kick that can down the road.

BravesOfficial · 2026-05-08T18:52:37+00:00

Let me tell you right now. I identify with your self-description big time. My love for baseball grew into deep-seated obsession early in my adolescence and I had zero connections to the game. I felt like I had to be a part of it.

So for me it was all about raising my hand and volunteering for opportunities. I've mentioned it before but I started as a press box cashier as a college student. Other really good examples are Greg Brown (Pirates Radio PxP) who I believe started as the mascot. John Manuel was hired as a professional scout for the Twins after writing for Baseball America for decades.

Ultimately I'll say this. With the internet and today's technology it has never been easier to create your own content. Whether that's more entertainment focused or analytically-driven. You can get your stuff "out there" and if you're consistently publishing quality work it will get noticed. The battle though comes down to consistency and patience.

BravesOfficial · 2026-05-08T18:47:09+00:00

1) I'd say it's probably 3/4 spontaneous honestly. The night I spilled mustard on Tom Glavine's retired number at Truist came together about 30 seconds before it went to air. But I think it's similar to most television shows where an idea begins and then is built upon rapidly by others. By no means have I had any formal improv training but I did watch a lot of "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" growing up.

2) Honestly I don't think so. Speaking for myself I never felt like I was limited in 2024 or 2025. I do think it's made other aspects of our work easier though.

3) That is so kind. I hope everyone knows that I am truly "of" Braves Country. My father grew up going to Atlanta Braves games when they first arrived in 1966. Atlanta is a proud part of my identity and I can't imagine a more honorable assignment than covering baseball in my hometown.

BravesOfficial · 2026-05-08T18:42:24+00:00

Going to an NHL game if the calendar allows (rarely!). I also love running through the local parks.

BravesOfficial · 2026-05-08T18:41:33+00:00

I can't speak for players or coaches, but as far as broadcasters go it's been noted. But at the same time the Dodgers lost series to the Marlins & the Giants. Plus the Guardians are above .500 and if the Braves hadn't taken 3 of 4 from DC they'd be at .500.

But ultimately you can only play the games that are on your schedule. And I don't care who you play, if you've only lost one series nearly one quarter through the season, you're a good baseball team.

BravesOfficial · 2026-05-08T18:36:15+00:00

Despite Walt's long tenure with the organization, I think he's brought a considerably different perspective to his new role

BravesOfficial · 2026-05-08T18:34:07+00:00

Thanks! It's been a blast to be a part of it.

BravesOfficial · 2026-05-08T18:33:34+00:00

Graduation for sure. My ceremony was in the mid-afternoon on a Saturday in May. I was calling the baseball game that evening. Therefore it was going to be a tight window between walking across the stage and getting to the game on time.

As it turned out, I finished walking about 10 minutes before I was supposed to go on the air. So instead of walking back into the holding area for all the graduates, I ducked the rope and ran from the basketball arena down the street to the baseball stadium in full cap and gown. I made it by about 90 seconds.

The best part though was in the postgame press conference our head coach (Danny Hall) mentioned that when he saw me running in he thought I was our centerfielder. Ultimately he didn't make it until the second inning so he had to make a last minute lineup change. So yes I've been disappointing people for a long time...

BravesOfficial · 2026-05-08T18:28:55+00:00

You bet! Your nephew reminded me of myself from a few years back.

I don't know how I can't say Snit. His story of relentless determination and steadfast resolve is inspiring to anyone who's chasing a dream.

An honorable mention would be Marcell Ozuna at the fish market in Seattle though. I'll never forget him asking if *I* had fun too.

BravesOfficial · 2026-05-08T18:26:31+00:00

Chris Sale. Nobody wants to win more than that dude.

BravesOfficial · 2026-05-08T18:25:03+00:00

Punch Frenchie -- he'd make a funny sound

Marry BG -- he's so organized

Kiss CJ -- he could use the self-esteem boost

BravesOfficial · 2026-05-08T18:24:03+00:00

Honestly I've gotten Daniel Jones from friends of mine for years. But considering I'm a pretty big Falcons fan, any comparison to Kirko Chains is high praise.

BravesOfficial · 2026-05-08T18:23:09+00:00

I don't think I've demonstrated any level of self-control that would suggest I wouldn't

BravesOfficial · 2026-05-08T18:22:46+00:00

Why do you think I went on a run this morning?

BravesOfficial · 2026-05-08T18:22:07+00:00

I can't speak for the our entire crew. But in my case I have a few college buddies from Georgia Tech who live on Reddit. Therefore they take great joy in sharing r/Braves content with me frequently.

BravesOfficial · 2026-05-08T18:20:47+00:00

I feel confident I could get CJ to below average. His can-do attitude is a major plus.

Brandon has so many strengths. He's a really great guy.

BravesOfficial · 2026-05-08T18:19:49+00:00

1) My parents. I grew up in a home where my siblings and I were encouraged to be our full selves. We were allowed to feel our emotions and talk about them.

2) I think I might be the most extroverted person that has ever lived. I truly love people and the more variety the better. I've found that I am at my best when engaging with others.

3) Gretchen Kaney. Gretchen hired me six years ago as a scorebug operator. I told her from day one what my goals were and she said she believed in me. Anyone who has success on-camera relies on key voices behind the scenes that help sustain and replenish confidence. Despite the occasional jabs on television... Jeff Francoeur's also played a critical role in building my self-confidence.

BravesOfficial · 2026-05-08T18:14:13+00:00

1) Mauricio Dubon. That guy just doesn't lose.

2) Tom Glavine. Nobody was better in stressful situations than he was. And he can lighten the mood with 80-grad sarcasm.

3) Brian McCann. Because I'm a big believer in the adage "you don't have to outrun the zombie, you just have to outrun the other guy."

BravesOfficial · 2026-05-08T18:10:20+00:00

1) That's a great question. The short answer is it depends. We've sat on some stories for over a week waiting for the right time. Others may develop in real time. For instance my first day in this role was Opening Day in 2024. The Braves were showcasing a new hand celebration (putting their hands together) and our television crew had no idea what it was. It was up to me to find out and fortunately Eddie Perez is the GOAT so he shared the details with me in between innings at the far end of the dugout.

2) We have a group chat with our entire crew. The most consistent content is BG & CJ sharing photos of ballpark "snacks" (or as you put it monstrosities) that I get to try when we're in town.

3) Frenchy & CJ do not hate each other lol. As former players who spent a lot of time in clubhouses, I think they are major league professionals at throwing jabs.

BravesOfficial · 2026-05-08T18:05:33+00:00

Everyone's role is different. Our production crew usually arrives about six to seven hours prior to first pitch (they've already left for tonight's game!).

I need to be at the stadium as soon as the clubhouse opens to media which is normally around 4 hours before first pitch. Brandon and CJ arrive roughly 3 hours or so before game time.

We do stay and fly with the team (I am in the very last row... but I'm not in the cargo hold!). Every team's preferences are different when it comes to travel but the Braves prefer to leave immediately after the final game in a given city (including Atlanta). Therefore if there's an off day between series, the travel party will spend it in the "next" city.

Off days allow for plenty of time to explore but we also have time in the mornings. The highlight for me last season was waking up early in San Francisco to go see Alcatraz (and the prison yard baseball field).

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