In the dugout. On the bus. In the bullpen. In the office. In front of a class or a group of business owners.
 
No matter where he is, Grand Canyon University Club Baseball Division 2 Head Coach Kim Carpenter always has a captivating story to tell.
 
That was officially confirmed by the New Mexico Broadcasters Association, who just bestowed upon Carpenter the NMBA award for Best Play-by-Play for his work behind the microphone at the 2025 Connie Mack World Series in Farmington, New Mexico. The Connie Mack World Series has been a summer fixture in the northern New Mexico city that's just minutes from the Colorado border for six decades, and Carpenter has been a part of it for over a third of that time span – including being on the mic for the 2026 version in June.
 
The recent award was a fitting honor, since Carpenter's deep roots in the event go way beyond broadcasting it. Before ever calling a game, Carpenter spent 14 years on the Connie Mack World Series executive committee - including two years as president and general chairman and two more as vice chairman. It's experience that has clearly shaped the perspective he now brings to the booth – a place he's also spent over three decades doing play-by-play and public address announcing in various sports and venues.
 
"Knowing the tradition of the series - what it means to the community and the players/visitors who come to Farmington - is a big part, and having an extensive knowledge of New Mexico makes it easier to feel more comfortable behind a microphone," said Carpenter. "Tens of thousands enter the gates throughout the week, and the global broadcast has listeners text the game phone from all over the world. The tradition of the series speaks for itself, since legends such as Lou Brock and Ted Williams have come to Farmington just to watch, and other MLB Hall of Famers such as Ken Griffey Jr. and Barry Larkin played there."
 
Carpenter's coaching résumé is no less accomplished. In a little over a month, Carpenter will begin his eighth season leading GCU Club Baseball's D2 program this fall, coming off a season in which the Lopes went 28-2 and fell one run short of a national championship, finishing as national runner-up at the NCBA Division 2 World Series. It marked GCU's fourth trip to the D2 World Series in five years, with a title already in hand from 2022.
 
The energy for Year No. 8 wearing purple will have a little more pep to it because Carpenter takes the opportunity each summer to remember where he came from.
 
"I was one week old when the Connie Mack World Series debuted, and my father was one of the founding forefathers of the tournament back in 1965," said Carpenter. "I've only missed five World Series - one due to COVID. I love going back to see old friends who come in from all over the United States, and of course, people in the community I grew up around."