RAILCATS BROADCASTER TOM NICHOLS TO BECOME NEW RADIO/TV VOICE OF DAYTON DRAGONS
February 11, 2008
Gary, Ind.—The Gary SouthShore RailCats Professional Baseball Club announced today that Tom Nichols, the club's broadcaster for the past three seasons, will be leaving the organization to join the Dayton Dragons, the Midwest League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. Nichols will serve as the radio and television voice of the Dragons and the club's Director of Media Relations.
Nichols joined SouthShore Baseball, the RailCats parent company, in September of 2002 and became the club's broadcaster prior to the 2005 season. He will enter his 21st season in professional baseball in 2008. Among his duties with the RailCats was the creation of the RailCats High School Baseball Challenge and administration of the event since it began in 2003.
The Dayton Dragons are one of the most successful franchises in minor league baseball history. Since their inception in 2000, they have sold out every game at Fifth Third Field, a streak of 565 games that is the longest existing streak in professional sports (including MLB, NFL, NBA, and NHL). It is also the longest streak in professional baseball history, surpassing the Cleveland Indians, who enjoyed 455 consecutive sell-outs from 1995-2001. The Dragons are the only club in minor league baseball history to sell out their entire season prior to opening day.
The RailCats will begin an immediate search for a replacement. Interested broadcasters with at least one year of professional minor league baseball play-by-play experience should send their resume and CD or tape to Bill Terlecky, One Stadium Plaza, Gary, IN 46402. Bill can also be emailed at bterlecky@railcatsbaseball.com.
Nichols expressed his thanks to the RailCats.
"I would like to extend my appreciation to our ownership group for providing me the opportunity in Northwest Indiana, specifically to Mike Tatoian and Tim Haffner. I also want to thank the entire RailCats staff and the two general managers I have worked for here, Bill Terlecky and Roger Wexelberg. I want to say special thanks to our players, coaches, and manager Greg Tagert, the highest quality of individuals you could work with in baseball, people who made my job very enjoyable. And most of all, I say thanks to the listeners who have been with me over the last three seasons on our game broadcasts. The team certainly gave us some great moments to share," said Nichols.
The RailCats begin defense of their 2007 Northern League title on May 15th when they host Joliet in the 2008 season opener. Call (219) 882-2255 for ticket information.
More Info: The Gary SouthShore RailCats are a Professional Minor League Baseball Team serving Northwest Indiana and Chicago's south suburbs. The RailCats won the Northern League championship in 2005 and 2007 and for each of the last four years, they have been chosen "Best Local Spectator Sport" by Northwest Indiana Business Quarterly. Their 96 game schedule includes 48 home games at beautiful U. S. Steel Yard, an award-winning 6,000 seat state-of-the-art facility located next to the Indiana Toll Road (I-90) with easy access to I-65.