Announcements can pretty much write themselves if you were diligent and got the necessary information for each one.  Remember, the 5 W’s, who, what, when, where and why when writing your announcements and be sure to focus on the important aspects of each.  The first announcement you write is your welcome announcement.  You will see a sample of various announcements to have with you at all times.

Keep this section handy because this section is a great reference point for these generic announcements.

Basic Welcome Announcement

You will need to know some basic information before you start to announce prior to the game.  It’s basic and it’s your greeting to the fans, it’s also your first impression so you want to sound professional right from the start.  You’ll want to have the name of the stadium you are playing in, whether it is a conference/league/district, etc. game or not, the records for each team (overall and non-conference, etc.) and upcoming games for the home team.  You’ll need the upcoming games later on during the game, a good announcement to drop in during time-outs.

Welcome EXAMPLE
“Good morning/afternoon/evening ladies and gentlemen and welcome to [facility name] for tonight’s [conference, etc.] match-up between the visiting [insert team’s full name] and the [insert year along with home team’s name].”
You can now add pre-game P. A. announcements or go right into the starting line-ups.  Some examples of pre-game announcements include sportsmanship announcements, upcoming events at the school/facility, fundraisers, concession stand, souvenirs, sponsors and others.

Sportsmanship Announcement

This sportsmanship announcement is derived from a similar announcement made at all NCAA sporting events and works well for high school events as well.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the [school name] promotes good sportsmanship by its student athletes, coaches and spectators.  We request your cooperation by supporting the participants and officials in a positive manner.  Profanity, racist, sexist or other abusive comments will not be tolerated and are grounds for remove from [facility name].  Additionally, the interference of the game in any fashion such as entering the playing surface, the use of artificial noisemakers such as whistles, the use of laser pointers, or the interference of the players as they enter or exit the playing surface is strictly prohibited and may lead to removal from [facility name].”

Sample Generic Announcements

These announcements can be tailored to any atmosphere and are a good start to adding more to your announcing arsenal.

Safety Announcement

”Fans are reminded that objects may leave the playing surface at a high rate of speed and could cause injury.  All fans are reminded to remain alert at all times during your visit to [facility name].  [School name] is not responsible for any injuries that may occur before, during or after today’s game.”

Car Damage Announcement

“Ladies and gentlemen, [facility name] is located in close proximity to our parking lot and some of your cars.  Please keep in mind that there are areas in which [foul balls and/or other objects] may enter the parking lot and cause damage to your vehicles.  If you’d like to move your vehicles, please do so at this time.  [School name] is not responsible for any damage that may be done to your vehicle.”

Smoking/Tobacco Announcement

“[School Name] is a tobacco-free environment.  The use of tobacco products of any kind, including smokeless tobacco, is strictly prohibited [except in designated areas*].”

If your facility does allow smoking, mention where the designated areas are located.

Website Announcement

“Follow [school/team name] when you’re away from [the field, rink, etc.] by visiting our web site the next time you are online.  Simply go to [web site address] to follow us all season long.  That’s [school name] on the internet at [web site address].”

Social Media Announcement

“You can now find [school name] on Facebook.  Visit our page by typing in [Facebook page title].  You can also find us on Twitter by going to @[Twitter account].  Follow [school  name] through social media on Facebook by searching [Facebook page title] and Twitter @[Twitter account].”

Sponsors Announcement

“The [school/team name] would like to take this opportunity to thank our sponsors for their dedication to our program, including [list 3-6 sponsors here].  The next time you see one of our sponsors, be sure to thank them for their support of [school/team name].”

Read a few sponsors and create several of these if necessary.  You want to make sure your sponsors get their recognition, so don’t lump them all into one big announcement, break them up to use throughout the event.  If you have the chance to read the same sponsors more than once, do so.  They will appreciate it.

Next Home Game Announcement

“Ladies and gentlemen, our next home [game/match] is coming up [day only unless more than a week away; then day & date] when [your school name] takes on [opponent] at [time].

Next Game Announcement

“Ladies and gentlemen, our next [game/match] is coming up [day only unless more than a week away; then day & date] when [your school name] will [travel to/host] the [opponent proper name] to take on the [opponent nickname] at [time].”

Inclement Weather Announcement

“Ladies and gentlemen, weather radar has indicated severe weather is in the area and could possibly make its way over [facility name].  Should the severe weather hit during play, the game may be stopped and fans may be asked to exit [facility name] and seek shelter.”

At this point, you will announce where fans may go to seek shelter, indicate entrance numbers, restrooms, head to vehicles, etc.  Be as descriptive as possible.

Inclement Weather Suspension Announcement

“Ladies and gentlemen, at this time please seek shelter in/at [indicate location(s)] immediately.  Severe weather can be dangerous so we ask all fans remain under shelter until the severe weather passes.  We appreciate your understanding and please be safe.”
If the game is being broadcast, mention the station fans can listen to for updates.  If the shelter site does not have direct communication with the competition site, inform fans during this announcement that representatives from the team or governing body will inform fans as to updates.

Game Suspension Announcement (Outdoor)

“Ladies and gentlemen, due to recent weather causing unsafe field conditions, today’s/tonight’s game has been suspended.  The game will resume [tomorrow, day of week or date] at [time].  [Announce ticket policy if admission was paid].  We thank you for your understanding and apologize for any inconvenience today’s/tonight’s suspension may cause.”

Ticket Policy Announcement (Outdoor)

“Since today’s/tonight’s game is not official, your tickets from today’s/tonight’s game will be good at any upcoming game this season, subject to ticket availability.  Please stop by the ticket office or call [phone number] for more information.”

Make sure to check with your team’s management to verify this information is correct.

Game Suspension Announcement (Indoor)

“Ladies and gentlemen, due to technical difficulties inside the arena, today’s/tonight’s game has been suspended and will be picked right back up where left off [tomorrow, day of week or date] at [time].  We appreciate your understanding in this manor and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.  Please take your time and take caution making your way out of [facility name] tonight.”

Game Postponement Announcement (Outdoor)

“Ladies and gentlemen, due to the weather in the area and recent precipitation making the field unplayable, today’s game has been postponed and [will be made up {give time and date} or will not be made up].  Your tickets for today’s game may be used for any remaining game during the [year] season.  We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.  Please take caution in making your way out of the stadium tonight and please drive home safely.”

“Ladies and gentlemen, due to the threat of severe weather in and around the area, game officials have decided to postpone tonight’s game.  Today’s game [will be made up {give time and date} or will not be made up].  Your tickets for today’s game may be used for any remaining game during the [year] season.  We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.  Please take caution in making your way out of the stadium tonight and please drive home safely.”

Game Postponement Announcement (Indoor)

“Ladies and gentlemen, due to the weather in the area causing unsafe travel conditions, today’s game has been postponed and [will be made up {give time and date} or will not be made up].  Your tickets for today’s game may be used for any remaining game during the [year] season.  We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.  Please take caution in making your way out of the stadium tonight and please drive home safely.”

“Ladies and gentlemen, due to the threat of severe weather in and around the area, game officials have decided to postpone tonight’s game.  Today’s game [will be made up {give time and date} or will not be made up].  Your tickets for today’s game may be used for any remaining game during the [year] season.  We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.  Please take caution in making your way out of the stadium tonight and please drive home safely.”

Running Time Announcement

“Ladies and gentlemen, [game, tournament, league] rules state that when one team has a lead of [number] goals/points or more, the game will become running time.  Should the goal/point differential fall to fewer than [number], then traditional stop-time rules will apply.”

Truncated Game Announcement (10-run rule, etc)

”Ladies and gentlemen, [league, tournament] rules state than when one team has a lead of [number and type, i. e. runs, points] that the game is stopped and the team leading is declared the winner.  All stats are final and the game is considered complete.”