BayBears name new broadcaster
Shackil enters his fourth season of professional baseball broadcasting, and his second in the Southern League. He spent the 2011 season as a member of the Tennessee Smokies broadcast team, as a play-by-play announcer and hosting the team's pre- and postgame shows. In 2010, Shackil provided play-by-play for all 142 games for the Double-A Trenton Thunder of the Eastern League. Justin's first season of professional baseball was in 2008 with the Gateway Grizzlies of the independent Frontier League.
"The BayBears organization is very excited to have Justin Shackil join our team for the 2012 season," said president/COO, Bill Shanahan. "Justin has a great love of our national pastime and brings to Mobile new energy and enthusiasm as 'The Voice of the BayBears' on the BayBears Broadcast Network, which includes BayBearsRadio.com, ESPN Radio 107.3 FM HD2, and Comcast TV Channel 45 that reaches more than 50,000 households."
Shackil fills the vacancy left by Wayne Randazzo, who accepted a broadcasting position with the Kane County Cougars of the Midwest League.
"I am delighted to join a great organization like the BayBears," Shackil said. "The Southern League is a very unique and special place in Minor League Baseball. I am so excited to be able to continue working in the league and hope to bring BayBears fans a very enjoyable listening experience as the team defends its title in 2012."
In the offseason, Justin works as a sports anchor on SiriusXM Satellite Radio in New York City. Additionally, he provided play-by-play for MSG Varsity, a 24/7 television network that covers high school athletics in the New York City area. In 2009, Shackil was a part of the official radio broadcast team for the U.S. Tennis Open and provided tournament play-by-play to more than 45,000 worldwide listeners a day on the Internet. His broadcasting experience extends outside the realm of sports, as well. He has anchored for a financial news website in New York and reported from the Red Carpet at the 2009 Academy Awards for mtvU. Shackil is a native of Wayne, N.J., and a 2009 graduate of Fordham University.
The 2011 Southern League champion Mobile BayBears begin the 2012 season at Hank Aaron Stadium on Tuesday, April 10, against the newest Southern League franchise, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos. For more ticket information, please call 251.479.BEAR (2327), or visit or www.mobilebaybears.com online.