Dragons announce new broadcaster

DAYTON, Ohio -- The Dayton Dragons announced today that veteran broadcaster Tom Nichols has been hired to replace Mike Vanderwood as the club's radio announcer and director of media relations/broadcasting. After eight years with the Dragons, Vanderwood was promoted to the play-by-play position with the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees, also a Mandalay franchise. The hiring of Nichols concludes a lengthy search process that began with more than 100 applicants.

Nichols, 43, will enter his 20th season as a Minor League Baseball broadcaster in 2008. During his career he has called nearly 2,500 games. He is a former Broadcaster of the Year in the Double-A Southern League with the Mobile BayBears.

"We are very pleased to be welcoming a broadcaster who has a great deal of experience and a fine reputation within the industry," Dragons president Robert Murphy said. "We are pleased that the success of the Dragons has put us in a position to attract many outstanding and highly qualified candidates, and after talking with Tom several times, we felt that he was the best person for the job."

A native of Muncie, Ind., Nichols grew up during the era of the "Big Red Machine," when the Cincinnati Reds dominated baseball during the 1970's. His many nights of listening to Reds radio broadcasts inspired him to enter a career in sports media.

"When you consider the record setting popularity of the Dragons franchise over the last eight years, and their unprecedented attendance numbers, this radio position certainly is one of the most attractive in all of Minor League Baseball," Nichols said. "I look forward to the chance to bring Dragons Baseball into the homes, cars and offices of our radio listeners, and to meeting Dragons fans at Fifth Third Field and throughout the community."

Nichols began his career in professional baseball in 1988 with the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians. He has also served as director of broadcasting with the Kinston Indians, Peoria Chiefs, Fort Wayne Wizards, Mobile BayBears and Gary SouthShore RailCats. Nichols has called games featuring such Major League stars as Randy Johnson, Jim Thome, Torii Hunter, Jake Peavy, Alex Rodriguez, David Ortiz, Josh Beckett and former Dragons Adam Dunn, Austin Kearns and Edwin Encarnacion.

All 140 Dragons home and road games will be heard live on ESPN Radio WING 1410 AM during the 2008 season, and also via the Dragons Web site, daytondragons.com online. Also included in the Dragons broadcast menu will be 15 home games that will be televised locally.

The Dragons open the 2008 season on the road Thursday, April 3 at the Great Lakes Loons (Los Angeles Dodgers). The Dragons Home Opener at Fifth Third Field will be Monday, April 7 at 7 p.m. against the Fort Wayne Wizards (San Diego Padres).

Individuals and groups seeking information about Dayton Dragons group tickets, lawn tickets, the season ticket wait list, sponsorship opportunities or booking a Dragons speaker are encouraged to contact the Dragons by calling at (937) 228-2287, emailing at [email protected], or on the web at daytondragons.com online.