So 
I’ve been looking forward to writing this post for a few weeks now. Yes, that picture on the right is the view from my office window.
On February 1st, I started my new job as the Director of Broadcasting & Communications for the Savannah Sand Gnats. It’s an exciting time for me. During the season, I’ll be doing the play-by-play for the Gnats radio broadcasts on WBMQ in Savannah and online at www.sandgnats.com. That’s the most fun part of my day. Although we’re carrying all 140 games, I won’t travel for away games. The plan, driven by the need to conserve costs, is to pick up the feed on the home broadcast when the team is on the road.
This time of year, my primary job is to bring in new business for the team. That means I sell, or at least try to sell. This is the time of year when much of a team’s financial outlook for the season ahead is determined. Can I interest you in an outfield billboard? How about an ad in our Gameday program? Radio? Or would you like to sponsor an on-field contest or the kids club? Season seats? Or how about you bring a group of friends to the game? Yes, that’s a good idea. The Gnats were last in the SAL in attendance last year at 110,846 for 64 dates, but our team’s aggressive goal this year is 150,000. I absolutely think we have a chance to hit it. Attendance drives almost all of a minor league team’s revenue. It would help greatly if every one of my excellent blog readers took a trip to see a few games at Historic Grayson Stadium. Savannah itself is a picturesque and historic city: well worth the trip for any Mets fan. In all seriousness, if fans are interested in booking travel to Savannah, the team can help create a worthwhile package.
As far as this site goes, my new job is only good news. The demands of working for a team during baseball season means my time will be precious, but the worthwhile tradeoff will be a unique and sharper insight. Obviously, I look forward to developing an even deeper relationship with the Mets players and staff. Clearly, there will be things that I learn, that will not be fit for public consumption and that I cannot share on this blog. The standard that I will maintain will be the following: if it’s something I would feel comfortable discussing on-air, I will write about it here. Otherwise, not.
I am especially pleased to be returning to the microphone on a nearly nightly basis. I broadcast for minor league teams from 2004-2008, and missed the immediacy, excitement and challenge of the broadcast last year. In another way too, it is a return for me. My first boss in baseball, when I worked for the Stockton Ports, then the Rangers advanced-A affiliate in the California League, was GM John Katz. Katz is now the Gnats team president and a big reason I have my current job. I owe John, who is now both my boss and my friend, a thank you for this opportunity.
Lets go Sand Gnats and Lets go Mets!
Congratulations and good luck.
Congrats and good luck as well Toby!
Looking forward to hearing you on the air.
Congrats Toby, that’s really awesome. Good luck man!
Good luck, Toby.
I hope to stream you often this summer.
Congratulations Toby. That sounds like a great opportunity for you and a chance to work full-time doing something that you really love. That’s great. Hope that your elbow has healed enough to allow you to hold a microphone!
Congratulations Toby
We already get good reports on the sally from Newman, you couldn’t manage to get yourself to St. Lucie or Binghamton for us?
Kidding. Enjoy yourself, congrats.
Yeah, St. Lucie’s kinda the black hole isn’t it? I’ll try to road trip down a little bit.
Cool, congrats. Savannah is a cool city and might be worth a trip.
Dropping back in to offer a hearty congratulations. Well-deserved.
Congrats man, cool gig!
I’m sure there will be plenty of good prospects to watch in your time there, but if only you could have gotten that gig last year.