Thrall named Pelicans radio voice

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. -- The Myrtle Beach Pelicans, Class A Advanced Affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, are pleased to announce the addition of Tommy Thrall to the organization as the club's Director of Broadcasting & Communications. Thrall, 24, will take on the role of "Voice of the Pelicans," and have the radio call of all 140 Pelicans' regular season games during the 2009 season on ESPN Radio "The Team" (93.7 FM, 93.9 FM, 1050 AM), as well as any postseason games.

Thrall replaces Jon Laaser, who will be leaving the Pelicans to pursue advancement within Minor League Baseball, after serving as the team's lead radio announcer in 2008. Laaser also called games with the Pelicans' former sister-franchise, the Altoona Curve (Double-A - Pittsburgh Pirates) in 2007.

A native of Kansas City, Missouri, Thrall joins the Pelicans after serving as the lead radio broadcaster and Director of Media Relations for the Kansas City T-Bones of the independent Northern League the last two seasons. Thrall began his baseball broadcasting career while still a broadcasting student at Northwest Missouri State University, serving as the #2 broadcaster for the T-Bones for three seasons (2004-06). He received a broadcasting degree from NMSU following the 2006 season.

"The Pelicans have always taken great pride in providing top-notch broadcasts of our games, and we feel extremely fortunate to bring in Tommy, who we know is a gifted broadcaster capable of carrying on that tradition and continuing to provide our fans the best possible coverage," said Pelicans' General Manager North Johnson. "We are also excited for Jon (Laaser), and the possibilities that await him in his future endeavors."

In addition to his on-air duties, Thrall will lead the Pelicans' communications department. He will serve as the webmaster for the newly re-designed MyrtleBeachPelicans.com, write and design the 2009 Pelicans Media & Information Guide, produce the Pelicans "In-Flight" Magazine and coordinate all the team's marketing materials.

"Every broadcaster aspires to call games for a knowledgeable and loyal fan base," said Thrall. "The opportunity to do that for one of the premier organizations in all of minor league sports and in one of the truly outstanding communities in Minor League Baseball is one that I am extremely grateful for. I plan on bringing an enthusiastic broadcast to the fans every night, and am very much looking forward to becoming part of this tradition-rich organization."

Pelicans' fans will continue to be able to listen to all Pelicans' broadcasts world-wide at MyrtleBeachPelicans.com. Fans will also be able to enjoy enhanced video highlights packages, interviews and player features throughout the 2009 season.

"It is certainly difficult to leave what is without a doubt one of the greatest places to live and work in baseball," said Laaser. "Like many of the fine players that have played in Myrtle Beach, I hope to use the many phenomenal experiences I have had here to help me fulfill my ultimate goal of reaching the big leagues. I will always be grateful to the Pelicans' organization for all the wonderful opportunities they have provided me with, and also to the great fans of the Pelicans, who have made this an incredible experience. I know they will be in tremendous hands with Tommy, a great friend of mine and a broadcaster I hold in the highest regard."