PCL1 Pacific Coast League

All-Star Radio Team, Umpires Announced

June 12, 2003 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1) News Release


COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Memphis Redbirds play-by-play man Tom Stocker and Steve Barnes, voice of the Durham Bulls, have been selected by the Pacific Coast League and the International League respectively, to serve as the radio announcing team for the 16th annual Triple-A All-Star Game to be played July 16th, at Memphis' AutoZone Park.

The game will be broadcast across the country on Sporting News Radio affiliates and world-wide on the Armed Forces Radio Network at 6:45 pm Central Daylight Tim e. Umpiring the A ll-Star Game will be a four-man crew, led by hom e plate arbiter Rob Drake of the Pacific Coast League. Joining Drake is fellow PCL umpire Matt Schaeffer, who will be at second base, and IL umpires John Bennett, working first, and Jam es Hoye, who will be manning third base.

VOICES OF THE ALL-STAR GAME

Tom Stocker is a 23-year veteran of the Memphis sports scene and is currently in his sixth season doing play-by-play for the Redbirds. Stocker is also in his 17th season calling professional baseball in Memphis, having worked for the Memphis Chicks from 1987 to 1997, where he was named Southern League Broadcaster of the Year three times. The versatile Stocker has also handled broadcasts for indoor soccer, USFL footb all, and Ole M iss football and basketball.

In his 10th season, Steve Barnes has been behind the microphone for every Durham Bulls game except one, and has broadcast all but one game from Durham Bulls Athletic Park sin ce the facility opened in 1995. In 1997, Barnes called the Carolina League-California League All-Star Game held at the DBAP. Barnes is also the voice of the Duke Women's Basketball team, which appeared in this year's NCAA Final Four.

ALL-STAR MEN IN BLUE

Rob Drake, who is in charge of calling balls and strikes, has been umpiring since 1993 and has over 275 days of Major League Baseball experience. Drake has also worked in the Northwest, Arizona Instructional, Midwest, California, Eastern, Dominican, and Arizona Fall Leagues.

First base umpire, and two-year International League Crew Chief, John Bennett brings a decade of umpiring experience and has been in the IL since 2000. Bennett has also logged time in the Appalachian, South Atlantic, Carolina, and Eastern Leagues.

At second, Matt Schaeffer is in his first year as a PCL Crew Chief and his nin th year overall. Schaeffer began his career in the New York-Penn League before moving on to the South Atlantic, Florida State, Florida Instructional and Texas Leagues.

In his fourth International League season, third base umpire James Hoye is also in his first year as a Crew Chief in his circuit. A nine-year veteran, Hoye has also umpired in the Major Leagues as well as the New York-Penn, Florida Instructional, South Atlantic, Florida State, Eastern, and Arizona Fall Leagues.

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