With the start of baseball upon us, many STAA members are preparing to spend their summer in new locations.
We published stories in recent months about Sam Levitt being the San Diego Padres new pre and postgame radio host, Tyler Murray joining the Wooster Red Sox and Alex Naveja joining the Eugene Emeralds.
Here are some additional STAA faces in new places.
Lead Baseball Broadcasters
Joey Zanaboni, Fredericksburg Nationals
Zanaboni didn’t even apply for the Nationals (Low-A Washington Nationals) job. Instead, they found him on Facebook. The team was looking for someone to create a fun, positive vibe. And, as Zanaboni says, “That’s what I’m all about.”
USA Today published a story three years ago about Zanaboni under the headline, “This ridiculous D-II baseball announcer will make your day and deserves an MLB gig.”
At the time of the USA Today story, Zanaboni was the play-by-play man for the Division II University of West Florida Argos. His baseball resume also includes the Sioux Falls Canaries, Johnson City Cardinals, Texas AirHogs, Rockford Aviators, River City Rascals and Derby Twins.
Jason Guerette, Gateway Grizzlies
Jason is the latest STAA member to be the Voice of the Grizzlies. He is preceded by Adam Young, Sam Levitt and Nate Gatter (former member).
Jason is no stranger to the Frontier League. He was with the Southern Illinois Miners from 2014 through last year.
Ryan Zimmerman, Gary SouthShore RailCats
The Chicago native most recently served as a graduate assistant in the athletic department at Delta State University.
Zack McKinstry, Yakima Valley Pippins
McKinstry is the new lead voice for the West Coast League collegiate team after spending last summer with the Western Nebraska Pioneers. The 2021 South Carolina graduate is also the Director of UNC Pembroke’s Sports Network.
Gary Erdelyi, Walla Walla Sweets
Erdelyi joins McKinstry as a lead broadcaster in the West Coast League. The New Jersey native and 2021 Rowan College grad moves to the Pacific Northwest for his first opportunity as the voice of a team. Erdelyi’s play-by-play experience includes calling games for Rider University and for Jefferson College in the Philadelphia, PA area.
Will Trubshaw, High Point Thomasville HiToms
Trubshaw spent last summer with the Milwaukee Brewers as a media relations assistant. Now he’s heading to the broadcast booth with the Hi-Toms of the summer collegiate Coastal Plain League.
“I’m super excited about the challenge and all the opportunities the role represents. I wouldn’t have found out about it if not for STAA,” he grins.
Trubshaw is a 2021 graduate of Indiana University.
Baseball Broadcasting Assistants
Steve Granado, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
Granado’s baseball travels have taken the Southern California native from the Boise Hawks, to the West Virginia Power and the Wilson Tobs. Next stop: the New York Yankees Triple-A team.
Granado is a 2015 graduate of Cal State University-Fullerton.
Jake Graziano, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
Graziano will serve a media and broadcasting internship with the RailRiders, versus the Assistant Director of Broadcasting/Media Relations role accepted by Granado.
Graziano is a 2020 Syracuse grad. His baseball experience includes time in the NECBL.
Chris Hess, Binghamton Rumble Ponies
Hess has three things in common with his new boss as he goes to work for the New York Mets Double-A team. Hess and Binghamton’s lead voice, Jacob Wilkins, are both STAA members, both are graduates of Penn State and both are natives of Long Island, NY. Additionally, Hess’ father was one of Wilkens’ teachers in high school!
“I’m excited to get to work with him up there,” Hess says about Wilkens. “It’s going to be a fun summer.”
Josh Sperber Bowling Green
Sperber spent the past two seasons with the South Bend Cubs. He called games last Winter in the California Winter League. Now it’s on to the Tampa Bay Rays High-A affiliate for the 2015 Lafayette College grad.
Chase Martaus, Charleston RiverDogs
While Sperber will be calling game for Tampa Bay’s High-A affiliate, Martaus will have things covered for the Ray’s Low-A team. The Georgia Southern University grad has been working in sports production for nearly four years. He has experience as a radio and podcast personality, and as a camera operator and on-air talent for ESPN+. That experience, of course, includes baseball.
Ben Carlton, Winston-Salem Dash
Carlton is a 2020 graduate of Ithaca College. His baseball resume includes time in the Florida Collegiate Summer League. Carlton most recently worked in Winston-Salem as a studio host for Wake Forest University football on Learfield.
The Dash are the High-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox.
Brendan Howe, Peoria Chiefs
Howe’s play-by-play career started while he was student at Franklin (MA) High School broadcasting FHS basketball. His baseball experience includes time in the NECBL and the Cape Cod League. Now Howe will be calling games for the St. Louis Cardinals High-A affiliate.
Howe is a 2021 graduate of Dean College.
Colin Casey, Fayetteville Woodpeckers
It will be an all-STAA booth in Fayetteville (Low-A Astros) as Casey pairs with Woodpeckers’ No. 1 Andrew Chapman.
Casey is a 2021 graduate of the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. His resume includes multiple seasons with the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod League.
“A massive thank you to Andrew Chapman for the opportunity and shoutout to Jon Chelesnik and the entire STAA staff for the support,” says Casey. “Looking forward to my first season in affiliated ball!”
Matt Yeazel, Boise Hawks
Yeazel is graduating this spring from Marquette University. He’s won several sportscasting awards from the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association.
“I’m very excited to take the step into pro ball and get another summer of baseball play-by-play experience after I worked with the Madison Mallards of the Northwoods League last summer,” he enthuses.
Yeazel is the 6th consecutive Voice of the Hawks who is an STAA member.