Fans – most wouldn't even declare that status -– observe games with barely a hint of enthusiasm. Few claim a true allegiance, and many put more focus into devouring a juicy Ball Park Frank and slurping a 40-ounce watered-down fountain drink than noticing the earned run average of the guy warming up in the bullpen.

The guy in the bullpen, however, doesn't have time to think about what he's going to eat for supper. His ERA recently dipped below 3.00, and this appearance could either expedite his journey to the seemingly unreachable pedestal of the major leagues or keep him buried amongst his fellow minor-league scrubs.

What most don't realize about the minors though, is that the players are not the only people in the stadium with something to prove.

Two University of Alabama alumni, Mick Gillispie (left) and J.P. Shadrick, are currently scrapping through the grind of the minor leagues. Their profession is broadcasting, and just like the athletes they vocally illustrate, emerging into the top tier of their occupation stands as the common objective.

'The goal of everybody that works in the minor leagues is not to work in the minor leagues anymore,' said 27-year-old Shadrick, the voice of the Jacksonville Suns, the Florida Marlins Double-A affiliate. 'I think we relate to (the players) because we've been through the same deal.'

As the voice of the Tennessee Smokies, the Chicago Cubs Double-A affiliate, the 34-year-old Gillispie performs his job knowing the opportunity players are searching for could open up for him as well.

'You can go to the major leagues just like the players,' he said. 'I try to show up every day and work to the best of my ability. Somebody could come along and hear you and think that you're the right fit for them.'

The careers of both aspiring broadcasters began at UA's student radio station, where Gillispie was the sports director as a graduate student and had ideas to change the foundation of his wing of the station.

'We made it where we would compete for national awards,' Gillispie said. 'We restructured the way the guys got on the radio and just tried to be professional. I don't think, before I was there, there was consistency as far as professionalism.'

Part of Gillispie's plan was to specialize students into particular sports -- a tactic that involved a young Shadrick. Gillispie bumped Shadrick from simple updates to calling Alabama softball games.

'I was kind of skeptical at first,' Shadrick said. 'I didn't know a lot about the game of softball. But I really liked it a lot. That's one of my favorite college memories is that first year of softball, expanding on new territory.'

This would be far from the last time the two worked together.

The impression that Shadrick made on his boss in college, along with the friendship that was forming between the two, persuaded Gillispie to stick with Shadrick even after they had concluded their time at the Capstone.

Gillispie hired Shadrick out of college to be the broadcaster for the Wilson Tobs of the Coastal Plains League while Gillispie was serving a three-week stint as the team's interim general manager.

Soon after the hiring, Gillispie moved to Salem, Va., to work for the Salem Red Sox of the Carolina League. After Shadrick finished his season with the Tobs, Gillispie had him finish out the season in Salem. He even allowed Shadrick to live at his house.

'I think (Shadrick) is a very good broadcaster,' Gillispie said. 'I judge people by my ability to listen to them, and I certainly enjoy listening to J.P. call games.'

Even though the two now broadcast separate Southern League Double-A teams, Gillispie and Shadrick still find ways to work together. They did a simulcast when the Smokies and Suns played each other in Jacksonville last month.

Shadrick said that simulcasts can take a lot of stress off during a taxing minor league season.

'Minor league baseball is a marathon,' he said. 'Not only (am I) doing the broadcast, I have to do media relations, write the game notes every night, stat packs. Do one broadcast for both cities -- it helps us out.'

Although a full season can prove to be a draining process, Gillispie and Shadrick both carry other jobs during the offseason to add even more experience to their resumes.

Gillispie works for the Crimson Tide Sports Network, calling Alabama women's basketball games and baseball games until he heads back to Tennessee in April. He has also provided national stringer work for ESPN, Fox Sports and Sporting News Radio.

To complement the many responsibilities he carries with the Suns, Shadrick also works for CBS Sports, helping with Southeastern Conference football games, something he has done since his college years.

Although both broadcasters cover a variety of sports, Gillispie and Shadrick share the same desire, the same ultimate goal of becoming the voice of a Major League Baseball team.

The typical minor league ballplayer lies in his bed at night, picturing himself hitting a walk-off home run in the World Series. As the ball sails high over the fence, a voice reciting the historic event echoes through the pandemonium, a voice that Gillispie and Shadrick imagine as their own.

Both players and broadcasters awake from this dream, but with the knowledge and optimism that one day they could beat the odds.

'Very few guys get to the major leagues in baseball doing radio,' Gillispie said. 'That's my dream.'