It’s a very exciting day, especially for lifelong football fan Michael Ball.

Ball has been named as the new play-by-play voice for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

“This is literally the job I got into radio for. I’ve wanted to do this since I was six when I commentated games on my Grandma and Grandpa’s grass in Indian Head while listening to the Riders in the garage,” Ball said. “When you think about what your bucket list dream job is, this is literally it for me.”

Ball said that it’s hard to express how excited he is for the opportunity.

“I will be passionate just like the fanbase, I’ll be professional, and I hope to portray everything it means to be a Saskatchewan Roughrider; the excitement, the rollercoaster that the season can be and be a voice for the fans as well,” he said. “It’s been a labour of love for me, it’s more than just a job it’s a passion and I hope that people will hear that when I broadcast the games.”

He replaces Derek Taylor, who stepped down from the role a month ago.

Ball has been a key fixture as the pre, and post-game host for Roughriders broadcasts for the last 24 years.

On top of the play-by-play job, Ball will also become the full-time host of the “SportsCage,” CKRM’s flagship sports show.

“My goal for ‘The SportsCage is basically ‘Ballsy and friends.’ Lots of guests, lots of conversation and a platform where local sports fans can interact daily with the show”, he said. “I love sports, I love the Riders, and I am excited to take this show to the next level.”

“Having someone who grew up in Saskatchewan, with all the experience and skills that Michael has, made it very clear our ideal candidate was already on our team,” states Matthew Hill, President & CEO of Harvard Diversified Holdings. “He has been living and breathing Riders football for a long time and is already familiar to our Rider Radio audience.”

Aside from his history on Rider broadcasts, Michael Ball spent many years doing play-by-play for the University of Regina Rams and calling games on television for the Regina Pats.

Ball’s first broadcast as the official voice of the Riders will be on May 23 when Saskatchewan hosts Winnipeg in pre-season action.