SIEGEL TO JOIN GILLISPIE IN THE SMOKIES' BOOTH FOR 2019

SEVIERVILLE -  The Tennessee Smokies, Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, have announced their 2019 broadcast team as Chicago native Spencer Siegel joins veteran broadcaster Mick Gillispie in the booth. Gillispie is back as the "Voice of the Smokies", while Siegel brings seven years of MiLB broadcast experience to his first season in Kodak. The Smokies will also bring on an additional hand as Matthew Peterson, a junior at the University of Tennessee, comes on board as the third member of the broadcast team.
Siegel will handle various Media Relations, Broadcast and Production duties throughout the season, including joining Gillispie on the air for all 70 home games and select road games. Born and raised in Chicago's north suburbs, he also spent the 2018 season in the Southern League on the Biloxi Shuckers' broadcast team. Previously, he worked two seasons as a lead broadcaster in the Florida State League with the Fort Myers Miracle in 2017 and the Dunedin Blue Jays in 2016.
"I am thrilled about the opportunity to join the Smokies' broadcast booth in 2019," said Siegel.  "Along with getting to know the people of the Knoxville area, I look forward to working with Mick in calling high-level baseball all summer long."
Siegel graduated from Bradley University in 2015 with a degree from the Charley Steiner School of Sports Communication. His broadcasting experience also includes stints at NBC Sports Group for the 2014 Sochi Olympics, 96.5 ESPN Peoria, High Point University and various high-level college and high school basketball tournaments.
Peterson will also aid in the Media Relations and Production departments while occasionally filling in on the air. The Glenview, Illinois native currently studies Journalism & Electronic Media at UT. He also contributes as member of the sports department at WUTK 90.3 FM, Tennessee's student radio station, as a weekly sports talk host and panelist.
Off-campus, Peterson does color commentary for the Knoxville Ice Bears of the Southern Professional Hockey League. In the summer of 2018, he did play-by-play for the Baltimore Dodgers of the Cal-Ripken Collegiate Summer League.
"I am looking forward to gaining valuable experience this year, and I'm ready to put in the hard work for what will no doubt be a successful season at Smokies' Stadium," Said Peterson.
The 2019 season starts on Thursday, April 4 at 7 PM ET as the Smokies' begin a five-game series at home against the Mississippi Braves. The full schedule for next season and season ticket information can be found online at smokiesbaseball.com, or by calling the Smokies Ticket Office at 865-286-2300.
ABOUT THE TENNESSEE SMOKIES
The Tennessee Smokies are the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. Members of the ten-team Southern League, Smokies baseball has been entertaining families and fans of America's national pastime in the East Tennessee region for over 100 years. To learn more about the Tennessee Smokies, visit www.smokiesbaseball.com