Steve Roberts has been a fixture at the Division II Baseball Championship for the past 12 years.
As a fan, you might not recognize him.
He's the media coordinator for the tournament.
If you're a regular at the event, you've seen him ... even if you didn't take notice. He's the guy walking from the press box to the interview area to the field and back on a continual basis most of the day.
He's a guy the media would hate to do without.
But we might have to beginning next year.
Roberts, who will be 63 in September, is retiring from his longtime day job as Valdosta State's sports information director this year.
Since 1994, Valdosta State has handled the media aspects of the tournament. That means Steve issues credentials, updates the Web site, records the statistics of each game, helps organize player and coach interviews and much, much more.
But more than that, he's just a good guy to have around.
I've never covered this event without him and, honestly, I'm a little sad thinking I might have to next year.
Steve is that friendly face whose arrival in town each May always marks the opening of this event. He's the resident baseball historian at the Division II level and a knowing authority on the sport in general.
His status for next year's tournament is unclear at this point.
He says he'd like to come back and help, but it depends on who's hired to replace him at Valdosta State. A lot of things could change, and he knows it.
"We'll just see what happens," he said. "That won't be my call. If I'm not here, it's sure been a great ride."
Roberts, a native of Douglas, Ga., and a University of Georgia graduate, has spent the last 30 years at Valdosta State. He started in public relations and has been the SID for the past quarter of a century.
He's the only SID the school has ever had.
He's witnessed some high water marks at Valdosta.
The school won the national football title in 2004, the baseball championship in 1979 and the men's tennis championship last month.
The Blazers football team has been a Division II power in recent years. Since Chris Hatcher took over as coach in 2000, the team has a 68-10 record and has won four conference titles.
One interesting fact about Steve: He's never missed a Valdosta State football game. He's seen all 274 in person dating to Game No. 1 on Sept. 11, 1982.
"I guess that's kind of my claim to fame," he jokes before quickly pointing out that the team is 180-90-4 all-time.
Steve also has done the statistics for the Gator Bowl since 1986.
Obviously, Steve and his wife, Maggie, raised their two sons -- Bill and John -- in Valdosta, and both worked the Division II tournament on occasion. Maggie also made regular visits to Montgomery.
It's been a family affair for the Roberts.
The unfortunate thing for Steve is that his team -- Valdosta -- hasn't been in the field much. In fact, in the time Roberts has been media coordinator for the tournament, the Blazers have only been here once -- in 1995.
"We were 2-2 then, got eliminated by Georgia College. Florida Southern won the title," he remembered. "Really, since then, we haven't made that many runs. We made a push in 2002 when we won the conference and lost in the regional. Delta State has been the stumbling block for us most of those years."
Even in 1995, Steve wasn't fully able to enjoy his team's run.
His youngest son got very sick during that week, and Steve had to leave the tournament for three days.
But, with or without Valdosta State, Roberts says the Division II tournament has been the highlight of his year for the past 12 seasons.
"There is a lot of work getting ready for it, but once the tournament starts, it kind of runs itself," Roberts said. "It's just good baseball after that. I've made some great friends, and you're treated so well here. The people of Montgomery have really made me feel special."
Roberts also has some lasting memories -- sitting at Riverwalk Stadium at 2:45 a.m. a year ago when rain pushed one of the games well into the night, a torrential rain storm during the title game in 1999, and countless long home runs at Paterson Field.
So this year, more than ever, he's relishing every moment, every game of the tournament.
His plans for the immediate future after Saturday are pretty simple -- take it easy, do some projects around the house, play some golf.
"I've heard from a lot of people that if you're retired and have a truck, you'll stay busy," he said. "And I have a truck."
Steve is still hoping to be busy here in Montgomery at this time next year. But if he isn't here?
"I'd miss it. No doubt about it," he said. "I guess I'll have withdrawals about the last week in May or so. My wife wants me to do it. She knows how much I enjoy it.
"Maybe it will work out."
We sure hope it does work out, Steve.