Eau Claire, Wis. -November 5, 2013 – The Eau Claire Express front office announced today the departure of Doug Raftery from the full-time staff effective November 13 to pursue a position in Minor League Baseball. Raftery will move on to the Carolina League with the Frederick Keys as a Sponsorship Account Manager. The Keys are a High-A Affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles.

In his role with the Keys, Raftery will focus on corporate sponsorship sales and also work alongside Adam Pohl in delivering the play-by-play for home games and will split the travel throughout the Carolina League. He will contribute in the corporate sponsorship sales in-season in addition to his broadcast duties. 

"We have had great success off the field the last two seasons here and Doug was a huge part of that," said Express General Manager Andy Neborak. "This league is all about development and Doug has a great opportunity to advance his career in Minor League Baseball. We are excited for him in this opportunity and wish him the best of luck moving forward. He will certainly be missed by the fans, sponsors and staff of the Eau Claire Express." 

Raftery joined the Express initially in May of 2012 as the Play-by-Play Broadcaster, a role he held until the season ended in mid-August. He was hired full-time in November of last year as the Director of Broadcasting and Media Sales, focusing his off-season efforts in corporate sponsorship sales and marketing for the team.

Raftery began his broadcasting career as a summer intern with the Rockbridge Rapids in the Valley Baseball League in 2010 and continued gaining experience with the Florence Freedom of the Independent Frontier League in 2011. In addition, he broadcasted basketball and softball while attending college at Hood College in Frederick, Md. 

The Brick, N.J. native graduated from Hood College in Frederick, Md. in May of 2012 with a Communication Arts degree with a broadcasting emphasis.