SCRAPPERS Warren native takes over as team's new radio voice

The Harding High graduate is a student at Bowling Green.
By BRIAN RICHESSON
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
NILES -- Greg Gania will take listeners around the New York-Penn League this season as the new radio voice of the Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
Gania has been with the Scrappers since their inception in 1999, but the Warren Harding High graduate has worked in concessions.
Now, the 20-year-old is stepping into the broadcast booth for his first on-air experience in minor league baseball.
"I love listening to Joe Tait and Tom Hamilton. Those two are the best in the business," said Gania, referring to the Cavaliers and Indians broadcasters, respectively.
"It's amazing how well they call the game," Gania said. "They paint a perfect picture, like [you're] there. That's how I mimic my broadcasts -- a combination of both."
Making a change
Gania, a junior broadcast major at Bowling Green State University, replaces Chad Krispinsky on WNIO-AM (1390), radio home of the Cleveland Indians' Class A short-season affiliate.
Krispinsky, the team's former public address announcer, handled play-by-play duties the last two seasons before he and the Scrappers parted ways.
"With Chad's desire to pursue full-time employment, we began exploring other options following last season," Scrappers general manager Andy Milovich said.
"Greg has done a lot of broadcasting with Bowling Green and local talk shows, so we felt good going with him in anticipation that he would be with us for the next three years while completing his education," Milovich said.
Krispinsky said he will miss interacting with players and coaches.
"In this business, it's about working hard to work your way up the ladder," Krispinsky said. "At this point, I have my eyes set on loftier goals and I'm taking steps to achieve those goals."
Season opener
Gania will make his debut when the Scrappers open their season next Tuesday in Batavia, N.Y., against the Muckdogs.
"I'm at the age now where I'm trying to develop my own niche," Gania said. "I've tinkered with different things on the air, but I have a good voice and I try to be enthusiastic. I try to paint the best picture I can."
Gania estimates that his biggest hurdle this season will be broadcasting games by himself, something to which he is new.
"At Bowling Green we have two-person teams, so it will be a little different here," he said. "After the first couple of games, it won't be too bad. I'll try to line up some guests."
Gania is gathering as much information as possible to use on the air and is planning various interviews to conduct before and after games.
"People want to hear about the players," Krispinsky said. "All the players have colorful pasts and success stories. It's just a matter of finding what those stories are."
richesson@vindy.com