The Sporting Times
April 11, 1916
Manhattan, New York
Richmond, VA – History was made yesterday as WLBL, the first-ever sports broadcasting station, successfully aired a live play-by-play account of the Richmond Rifles’ 7-1 victory over the Brooklyn Whales. This monumental event was made possible by the vision of Michael Monroe, owner of the Rifles and a titan of the tobacco and railroad industries. Monroe’s innovation marks the dawn of a new era in sports and communication.
But WLBL’s reach won’t stop in Richmond. Jacob Parker, commissioner of the Legacy Baseball League, granted Monroe’s station exclusive broadcasting rights only under the condition that WLBL cover games from across the league, not just those of Monroe’s Rifles. Advertising revenue still under arbitration. Parker further negotiated the appointment of his son, Robert “Sparky” Parker, as WLBL’s lead broadcaster.
April 10, 1916: A Game for the Ages
Fans crowded into Richmond’s Libby Hill to watch the Rifles take on the Brooklyn Whales, but for the first time, thousands more experienced the game without ever leaving their homes. At 7:00 PM, the crystal-clear voice of Robert “Sparky” Parker came over the airwaves, describing every pitch, swing, and cheer to listeners as far away as Chicago and New Orleans.
“Hello folks, and welcome to Libby Hill ballpark in Richmond, Virginia!” Parker’s lively introduction heralded the first live radio broadcast of a sporting event in history. “Sparky Parker speaking to you from the technological wonders of the mad scientist, William Barclay!”
The game itself was as thrilling as the broadcast. Richmond’s pitcher, Justin “Lizard” Little, dominated the Whales’ lineup with six strikeouts, while third baseman Dwight Ford electrified the crowd with a three-run homer in the fifth inning. Parker’s narration brought the game to life for radio listeners, painting a picture of the action frame after frame.
“Hard-hit ball into right field! That one has carry! It is at the wall, and gone!”
Michael Monroe’s Vision Realized
Radio, or “wireless telegraphy,” has captivated minds since the late 19th century, when Guglielmo Marconi first demonstrated its potential for long-distance communication. Over the past two decades, the technology has advanced rapidly, moving beyond ship-to-shore transmissions and military applications to enter the realm of civilian use.
The broadcast was the culmination of years of planning and innovation by Michael Monroe. Building on the “Autophonic Telegram” technology originally developed by Brooklyn inventor William Barclay, Monroe refined the system to create the groundbreaking transmission capabilities of WLBL.
“Yesterday’s broadcast wasn’t just a win for the Rifles,” Monroe said in a post-game statement. “It was a win for baseball and for the future of communication. From now on, the love of the game will travel farther and faster than ever before.”
Monroe, already a significant figure as the owner of the Rifles, has cemented his legacy as a pioneer of modern sports entertainment. His determination to blend technology with America’s favorite pastime has opened the door for countless fans to share in the excitement. While some baseball executives worry the broadcasts will reduce attendance numbers, Monroe remains “unconcerned.”
“I never thought I’d be able to follow my Richmond Rifles all the way from Raleigh, but thanks to the Wireless Wonder, I could hear every pitch and cheer as if I were sitting right there at Libby Hill,” beamed Lucille Jameson, a North Carolina mother of four who spent her childhood rooting for the Rifles.
Not all in the baseball world were impressed. Alexander Bingley, owner of the New York Kings, called Monroe’s Autophone a “horrific abomination” that has “spelled the doom of baseball.”
Jacob Parker and the League-Wide Vision
The success of April 10th wasn’t without behind-the-scenes challenges. Commissioner Jacob Parker, known for his progressive approach to the league’s governance, has long clashed with Monroe over his outsized influence and ambitions. Concerned that Monroe might use WLBL to disproportionately promote the Richmond Rifles, the commissioner made league-wide coverage a condition of granting broadcasting rights.
“Baseball is greater than any one franchise,” Commissioner Parker stated. “If WLBL is going to broadcast Legacy League games, it must represent the entire league and ensure every team gets its due.”
While Jacob Parker and Michael Monroe may not see eye to eye on many issues, both agreed that Sparky Parker was the perfect man for the job. Born in St. Louis and raised in Brooklyn, Sparky grew up immersed in the culture of the game. As the son of the LBL’s commissioner, baseball was always a part of his life, and his time as a sportswriter for the Queens Tribune sharpened his ability to bring the game to life through vivid storytelling. Before his father was elected LBL commissioner, Jacob Parker was the Editor-in-Chief of the Sporting Times.
Despite the connection, Sparky Parker is determined to make his mark on merit, not family ties. “Baseball isn’t about who you know—it’s about the stories on the field,” Parker said. “I’ll go wherever the game takes me, from Richmond to Chicago, my mission is to give every fan the best seat in the house.”
A Bright Future for Sports Broadcasting
With the first broadcast under its belt, WLBL is gearing up to cover games from across the Legacy Baseball League, bringing the thrill of America’s pastime to homes far and wide. Monroe and Parker’s groundbreaking work has set the stage for a future where no fan is too far from the action.
With Sparky Parker now a league-wide fixture, fans across the nation can look forward to hearing the crack of the bat, the roar of the crowd, and the unmistakable voice of baseball’s first broadcaster. For the Sporting Times, April 10, 1916, will forever be remembered as the day baseball took to the airwaves—and brought the game of baseball into the future.