The new softball season is still six months away, but fans in Stratford are already missing a voice who was as much a part of the action as the game itself.

The area lost one its most recognized narrators last week. Hal Baird, known by some simply as "The Voice," had a career in radio and was a softball and hockey public address announcer for more than 30 years.

Bob Baird says when he became general manager of the Stratford Brakettes in 1988, the first thing he did was ask Hal to do their games.

"He's been a centerpiece at the field and one of the icons of fast pitch and slow pitch softball in this area," he said.

Hal Baird was also a great singer and musician, according to those closest to him. He's even the greeting on his church's answering machine.

The Brakettes say they want to work with the town to properly honor the Bridgeport native, who was 73.