(July 2, 2013) Dan Vaughn’s circuitous route back to minor league baseball spanned two continents and more than one decade. An STAA client, Vaughan is joining the Gary South Shore RailCats as a broadcast and media assistant.
The rare mid-season opening came when RailCats Broadcasting and Media Relations Director Matt Friedman left for a position outside minor league baseball. The team promoted assistant Jon Mozes into the lead job, creating the opening for Vaughan.
“Gary is one of the top independent clubs in the States and one of the best in all of baseball,” says Vaughan. “The RailCats sit on the doorstep to Chicago, which also is a great bonus, but the best part is to soak in everyday what a first class operation does to bring great baseball to the fans in Northwest Indiana. They know how to do it right in Gary and I am honored to be a part of that.”
Vaughan learned of the RailCats opportunity in an email from STAA. “If not for that I would have never known the job was even open. It is during the middle of the season and you just don’t figure to even think about something being open. If I was not am STAA member I would have had no clue. STAA’s resources are the reason I got the opportunity period.”
Vaughan’s path back to minor league baseball is a unique one. He is a former voice of the Charleston Wheelers, Jacksonville Suns and Burlington Bees. However, it’s been 14 years since he called minor league baseball in the States. He spent last winter broadcasting in the Australian Baseball League.
“I had to go to the back of the line when I wanted to return [to baseball broadcasting] in 2012,” says Vaughan. He adds that if a person really wants to be in minor league baseball, they may have to take a leap of faith to earn the opportunity.
“I made a leap to Australia last winter in the ABL for the Perth Heat and will be going back for my second season in late September,” he says. “Never turn down any of these opportunities. Even going to Australia, the initial contact was from STAA and if not for that leap and what I do daily in Perth, I would not have the skills required to join Gary. It is a leap going that far away but in the end I have seen it pay off.
“The moral of the story that you just never know when the door may open, even in June, and what STAA offers is a year round resource.” Vaughan smiles before adding, “I feel a bit like Christmas in June.”
(Visit Dan’s STAA Talent Page)