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Rays' Solondz is the Trusted Voice Of Tampa Baseball

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Tampa Bay Rays radio host Neil Solondz knows how to keep to a schedule. What you see–or, in Solondz's role as part of the Rays' three-man radio team, what you hear–translates into working with deadlines; albeit with a dash of flux. As the Rays game start times go, so does Solondz, now in his 11th season full-time with the club.

As the team finished up their last homestand on May 1st, with a Sunday afternoon game against the Minnesota Twins, it was wheels-up for the Rays' charter as they embarked on a 10-game road trip to the west coast. This would be the club's only visit to play games on Pacific Coast Time this season.

As Rays' baseball was preparing for three-game series with Oakland, Los Angeles Angels, and four games in Seattle on the field, the broadcast team, too, was getting their game plan set up in the radio booth (and beyond).

Although Solondz's primary responsibility lies with hosting the Rays' pre and post-game shows, there are additional duties keeping the New Jersey native busy.When the Rays return home on May 12, only their second off day in the past 21, Solondz's work continues.

Prior to joining the Rays radio team full-time after the 2011 season, Solondz served the previous eight years as the lead radio voice for the International League's Durham Bulls (Tampa's Triple-A affiliate).

With the Rays games' start times on this west coast swing predominately 9:00 pm (and later) EST, later hours on the job were up for Solondz.Informing area baseball fans of game news and notes on the latest goings-on with the Rays, Solondz, heard on the club's flagship station WDAE 95.3 FM/620 AM, was adjusting to a later-than-normal schedule for his half-hour shows.

With a listening audience heard across a 17-station affiliate network stretching into Mississippi and Alabama, for this Rays' road trip, Solondz would often be signing off well past midnight. For Saturday's May 7 game against the Seattle Mariners that had a 9:10 pm (EST) start time, one that the Rays would take 8-2 and collect their sixth straight check in the win column, Solondz would sign off with his post-game responsibilities at 12:30 am on Mother's Day.

What continues to make Solondz a much anticipated go-to for Rays fans, listening both for home games and when the club is on the road, is his reliability for current, accurate news. When the play-by-play duo of Dave Wills and Andy Freed have the night's call switched to them, Tampa fans are set for who and what may come throughout the game.

Adding to Solondz's popularity with Rays fans listening are the phone calls, tweets, and emails addressed, once the last inning is in the books. The fans' voices are heard. Like a favorite teacher educating his class, Solondz's smooth, comforting voice entices listeners to learn, and further their baseball education by asking questions.

Being flexible with his radio work schedule is normal today for Solondz, just like listeners who have steady hours with daytime careers. He attributes much of his success to the amount of preparation that goes into each broadcast, hours prior to his welcoming audiences for another Rays game.

"Everything is different, depending where the game is," says Solondz of sticking to a routine. "I do the same prep as if I were calling the game; going over my scorecard, and doing my due diligence, home and away."

There is the editing of game highlights and interviews for his one-hour air-time each game day/night. At home games, Solondz can be found in the Rays clubhouse at Tropicana Field gathering news nuggets to pass along to listeners.

Solondz attributes much of his seamless and captivating on-air work to the steadiness of Wills and Freed, who have been together calling Rays games for 18 seasons.

"Dave and Andy are the best play-by-play team in the game. I'm fortunate to work with them," states Solondz."Any thoughts, feedback, we are in constant touch throughout the broadcast. The organization (Rays) trusts us in making decisions during the broadcasts."

Communication is the key to the Rays radio's success.

For Solondz, he cites having several good mentors, all of whom played a part in different ways, that paved his way to Tampa. Gary Cohen, current New York Mets' lead TV play-by-play (formerly in the same position on the club's radio side), is among the names given by Solondz.

"Everybody goes through doubt," said Solondz of dreaming to make it on the MLB level."It's only natural.I've been fortunate."

Solondz's fortune begins with his Maplewood, New Jersey roots. While at Rutgers University in his home state, being involved with the football and basketball teams' radio broadcasts produced the necessary experience to move on to professional sports.

"In this unique journey, it helps to have many experiences," Solondz tells.

Paying his dues with the Class-A Lakewood Blue Claws (New Jersey) and Quad City River Bandits (Iowa) before landing a radio gig at the Triple-A level in Durham, Solondz worked in a handful of states prior to landing with the Rays.

Long bus rides, low pay, and much uncertainty looking forward to a possible shot at the big time while in the minors was a battle won by Solondz. But since his arrival, Solondz has since seen his stock on a constant rise.

"In the 2010 and 2011 seasons, the Rays invited me to fill in. I called a couple of innings for Rays games, for Dave and Andy. When I was flying back to North Carolina, I was so grateful for the opportunity," recalls Solondz.

When being hired officially as part of the Rays' broadcast team, Solondz tells of his two partners being, "really helpful."

When not at the ballpark or producing his shows from a home studio, Solondz is out in the Tampa community - giving back.

In 2021, he was awarded the Rays' Joyce Smith Community Spirit Award. This is presented to an employee who makes a significant societal contribution beyond their professional responsibilities. For some, this annual award by the club could be seen coming.

"The organization is committed to helping out our community. My parents were both giving people. My mom was a public school teacher and my dad was a defense attorney who did a lot of pro bono work.They were good examples of what it means to help out others."

Aside from his pre-and-post game duties, Solondz is also at the ready to fill in for Wills and or Freed in the broadcast booth, host "watch parties" at selected sponsors' locations during games, and produces a one hour weekly This Week in Rays Baseball show (in-depth interviews with players, coaches, executives, and news and notes on the club). This airs 90 minutes before the first pitch on Sundays (when NFL season begins, the show airs on Saturdays).

During home games, it isn't uncommon for Solondz to occupy a smaller booth, next to the one Wills and Freed are working from, and during commercial breaks, speaking with them. There will be texts exchanged as the game progresses. As Solondz views his interaction with his radio teammates, they are helping one another - constantly.

Solondz's stamp on Rays baseball is widening. He sets the table for the game's play-by-play. Driving along the affiliates' roadways or while at home situated in a comfortable chair, where there is a radio or if Alexa is within shouting distance, Neil Solondz is a good friend of Rays baseball - welcomed at all hours.

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