The Vermont Mountaineers announced today the hiring of Andrew Whalen, a senior at Lyndon State College as their play-by-play broadcaster for the 2018 NECBL baseball season. Whalen was an anchor for News7, the college’s fully functioning newsroom, during his tenure at Lyndon State. In addition to his journalism degree, Whalen will also graduate with an Associates in Business Administration. Adding experience to call of the game, Whalen is also a four-year member of Lyndon’s baseball team, where he holds the school record for saves with 13.
The 2018 season opener is scheduled for Tuesday, June 5, when the Mountaineers host the Plymouth Pilgrims at 6:30 p.m., at Recreation Field in Montpelier.
Mountaineers’ General Manager, Brian Gallagher, said the Mountaineers will be a very formidable team to deal with in the NECBL 2018 season. “We will have a new field manager in Blake Nation, most recently a pitching coach at the University of Tampa. His record in managing collegiate summer baseball in New York state is 114-75 over four years, including championships in 2015 & 2017, plus Coach of the Year honors in 2016.”
“In addition, we will have a new voice of the Mountaineers in Andrew Whalen from Lyndon State College. Lyndon State produced our very first broadcaster, Tim Hagerty, who is now the voice of the El Paso Chihuahuas, the Triple A farm club of the San Diego Padres. We have high hopes for Andrew who not only has the experience behind the mic, but also the knowledge of play on the field.”
Gallagher said the 2018 Mountaineers will feature many players from Division I and II teams, including William Hesslink, of Shelburne, VT, who plays his college baseball at Boston college. Gallagher also noted the annual Hot Stove Banquet scheduled for March 24 at the Capital Plaza in Montpelier. “We are very honored to have two the top professionals in their fields – Ken Squier of Waterbury, who was recently elected as the first broadcaster in history to the NASCAR Hall of Fame, and Giancarlo Esposito of the popular TV shows Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul.”
“This promises to be one of the best banquet in years,” he said, “tickets are still at only $45 per person, as it has been over the last several years.”
Also new this year to the NECBL is their partnership with Stretch Internet, which will be the new platform for all NECBL games starting in 2018. The new service will allow users of Apple TV, Amazon Fire Sticks, and Android TV to access games, as well as users online.
Mountaineers General Manager, Brian Gallagher, is looking forward to the Mountaineers’ 16th season with great anticipation. “The stars are lining up,” he said. “A new Field Manager and assistants, new team personnel, a new voice for the Mountaineers, and a new partnership that will give our fans greater access to our games. 2018 promises to be a very successful season.”