Dan Hasty felt like a professional baseball player getting an invitation to spring training, except his will be in the radio booth.

The Grand Rapids resident, the voice of the Class-A affiliate West Michigan Whitecaps the past three seasons, will have a dream come true this March when he handles play-by-play for two Detroit Tigers spring training broadcasts.

Hasty expects to fill in for Dan Dickerson on the Tigers network for spring training games March 20 (in Lakeland vs. N.Y. Yankess) and March 23 (away against Atlanta Braves).

"I'll never forget reading that; probably ranks as one of the best emails I've ever received," Hasty said of receiving notice earlier this month. "I equate this much like a player does when he gets an invite to spring. Your goal is to go to the big leagues and stay there in time. But to get an invite is a thrill you never forget."

Hasty, a Sterling Heights native who previously was with 97.1 FM The Ticket in Detroit - the Tigers' flagship station - for four years, had previously offered to spell Dickerson in the spring.

"I had just mentioned it because he does 162 games plus spring training that if there was ever an opportunity to help lighten his load a bit that I'd simply be happy to help," he said.

The Whitecaps front office put in a recommendation and, Hasty said, "Luckily the Tigers' front office was receptive to it."

Hasty does not know if he will do the games solo or be joined by longtime analyst Jim Price.

"I'm very excited and, obviously, very honored to get this opportunity," he said. "It's a dynamite chance and not just for myself, but the excitement to tell people about the young players who are the future of the organization. I've seen a lot of these guys in West Michigan and know their back stories, so it will be a lot of fun."

Hasty also handles play by play for Saginaw Valley State basketball along with Grand Rapids-area high school basketball games.