(April 25, 2016) Connecticut native Chris Jones will be calling baseball close to home this summer. An STAA member, Jones has been hired to handle broadcasting and media relations for the Connecticut Tigers.
Connecticut is the Detroit Tigers Class-A short season affiliate.
A 2014 graduate of the University of Connecticut, Jones spent last summer calling games in the Cape Cod League. The Tigers, though, represent his first foray into affiliated baseball. “With no previous experience in the minor leagues, this will allow me to learn the daily routine necessary to be successful in affiliated ball,” he says.
To borrow a baseball pun, the opportunity came to Jones out of left field. “Before broadcasting a UConn Baseball game, our PA announcer, who also does PA for the Tigers, mentioned that the Tigers had an opening for their lead broadcaster/media relations position. So I immediately emailed their GM letting him know that I was interested in the position.”
Jones is glad that his new gig keeps him close to home. “I can skip over that period where I would have to adjust my lifestyle. Now I can stay on a fairly normal routine. That will allow me to focus on working and learning as much as I can when I get there, instead of my mind wandering to things that need to be done away from the field.”
Jones has been an STAA member since August. One aspect of his membership that he says has been especially helpful is the monthly Member Makeover videos and group critique sessions. “There are numerous occasions when a critique of another broadcaster was something that I had never thought about or was something that I used in my own work.
“Thank you for all that you do at STAA. It has been extremely helpful.”