(February 18, 2011) Grant Tunkel’s great memory is part of the reason he has landed his next play-by-play job in minor league baseball. An STAA client, Tunkel has been named broadcaster for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
The Scrappers are the Cleveland Indians Class-A short season affiliate, located in Niles, OH. Tunkel will broadcast all 76 games on radio and handle media relations.
“It’s a step up from last year,” Tunkel says. “Last year I worked for the Jamestown Jammers (Florida Marlins Class-A short season.) I essentially befriended their play-by-play broadcaster [fellow STAA client] Scott Eddy and got in the booth for a healthy number of games. I was looking to move up in the ranks. This was an opportunity to work for an organization I know is very reputable and to call games on radio and work in an environment where the organization and fans support minor league baseball.”
Tunkel contacted Mahoning Valley after remembering what he learned about the position last off-season.
“I remembered from last year that their play-by-play broadcaster simply lived in the area, had never broadcast baseball but called their games. I didn’t see a job posting anywhere or hear about it from anyone so I gave them a call.”
A 2010 graduate of USC, Tunkel emailed the link to his STAA Talent Page to the team. One week and two telephone interviews later, he was offered the job.
“It’s an opportunity to broaden my play-by-play horizons and call games on radio,” Tunkel says. “They just signed a new two year agreement with 1570 WHTZ and truthfully, I ‘m looking forward to going out on the road, going city to city, the bus rides –there are a lot of things about minor league baseball that I’m looking forward to on a day to day basis.”