Tirro Brings Prior Northwoods League Experience to the Rafters Broadcast Booth
Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. – The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters are pleased to announce the hiring of Nick Tirro as the team’s new Radio Broadcaster and Director of Media Relations. Last summer, Tirro was the voice of the Kalamazoo Growlers in their inaugural season. In addition to handling the play-by-play duties for 72 games, he wrote press releases and handled a portion of the social media duties with the team.
During the 2015 season, on top of calling all 72 Rafters games on AM 1320 WFHR with all home games additionally simulcast on live video steam, Tirro will act as the Rafters traveling secretary and media relations coordinator, while assisting with additional video, audio, and graphic projects this season.
“Nick’s skill-set and familiarity with the Northwoods League will be a valuable asset to the Rafters organization next season,” said Rafters general manager John Fanta. “Rafters fans are going to love the passion he brings to every broadcast.”
Tirro will graduate from Manchester University (North Manchester, IN) in the spring of 2015. At the university, Tirro gained invaluable broadcasting experience as a part of WBKE, 89.5 The Buzz, the school’s student run radio station. While at MU Tirro broadcasted Spartan baseball, basketball, football and volleyball. WBKE provided Tirro with a launching pad to expand his broadcasting skills. He also received the opportunity to travel to conference tournaments and broadcast a men’s basketball game at historic Hinkle Fieldhouse on the campus of Butler University.
Apart from broadcasting, Tirro has hosted a weekly sports talk show titled “The Sport Report” on WBKE, 89.5 The Buzz. He spent two years on the Manchester University’s baseball team where in 2013 the Spartans advanced to the Division 3 World Series in Appleton, Wisconsin. Nick also has a background in coaching youth baseball, as well as being involved as a counselor for various baseball camps throughout his high school and collegiate career.
Tirro is very excited to be a part of the Rafters organization this upcoming summer. Having a chance to broadcast the Northwoods League All-Star game, as well as being able to work with an award winning organization in Wisconsin Rapids is an exciting step for Nick.
“Big Top Baseball was named the 2014 Organization of the year according to Ballparkdigest.com, and working with a team in that organization is an exciting opportunity for me. This should be an outstanding summer, and working with such a first class organization will hopefully help me not only become a better broadcaster, but a better ambassador for the game as well,” said Tirro.
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The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 22nd season of summer collegiate baseball in 2015, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 120 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (DET) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Allen Craig (BOS) and Ben Zobrist (TB). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League Website. For more information, visit www.raftersbaseball.com.