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EL1 Reading Fightin Phils

Degler leaves radio booth, new TV deal announced

February 19, 2009 - Eastern League (EL1)
Reading Fightin Phils News Release


Reading, PA - Long-time Reading Phillies radio broadcaster Steve Degler will leave the booth to join Service Electric Cable TV2 Sports television broadcasts for both the Double-A R-Phils and the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Chuck Domino, President of both teams, announced today. Also announced were new television deals for both clubs with Service Electric and that former R-Phil and Major Leaguer Ricky Bottalico will join Reading's TV broadcasts.

Degler had been the R-Phils primary radio voice since 1992 but also has done extensive TV work for the club, most recently on Service Electric broadcasts in 2008. He was the longest tenured broadcaster in the Eastern League. In his new role he'll handle analysis for all 76 televised IronPigs games and play-by-play for all 20 televised R-Phils games.

During recent baseball offseasons, Degler has broadcasted high school football and basketball for The Comcast Network. He has recently called college football, basketball and hockey for DeSales University, La Salle University, Niagara University, Lehigh University, Albright College and his alma mater at Kutzown University. Last year, he was part of the crew that covered the annual Big 33 game and Pennsylvania State High School Football Championships for PCN.

In 2008 Degler was nominated for a Mid-Atlantic Emmy Award for his work on the New Jersey High Tournament of Champions finals on The Comcast Network.

The 2009 season will be the R-Phils third on SECTV 2 Sports. Based in Allentown, PA, SECTV 2 Sports produces the games which will also be carried by network affiliates Service Electric Cablevision, Service Electric Company, Blue Ridge Cable TV-11, Blue Ridge Cable TV-13 and WYLN-35. Overall, R-Phils games will reach over one million homes.

Bottalico, who will be enshrined in the Reading Baseball Hall of Fame in 2009, will join the broadcasts in a yet to be determined role as his schedule permits. He spent all of 2008 handling color analysis on the IronPigs TV broadcasts. He also has TV experience as an analyst on Comcast SportsNet's "Phillies Post Game Live". Highlights from Bottalico's playing career are below.

Returning to the R-Phils TV booth for his third season to handle analysis is Tim Neiman. Neiman's insights are fueled by nearly 30 years of experience coaching at the collegiate level, plus scouting experience with the Pirates and White Sox. Neiman has been in his current position as the head coach at DeSales University since 1990 and owns a career record of 473-256-4 (.645) and several NCAA appearances including a trip to the 2003 Division III College World Series. Several of Neiman's players have been signed or drafted by professional teams.

"We are excited to have Steve Degler as a part of all SECTV games in both Lehigh Valley and Reading for the 2009 season," said Domino. "Steve's professionalism, familiarity with both markets and his knowledge of the Philadelphia Phillies as the radio broadcaster of the Reading Phillies for the past 17 years will serve the TV viewers well. We are also pleased that Ricky Bottalico, as he enters the Reading Baseball Hall of Fame this season, will be available on a limited basis to the TV broadcasts in both cities. Ricky established himself last season as an emerging talent in the booth and we welcome him back as his schedule allows."

The R-Phils expect to make an announcement on Degler's replacement in the radio booth very soon.

R-Phils 2009 Television Schedule

DATE TIME TEAM

4-7-09 6:30pm LV IronPigs (Phillies AAA, exhibition game)

4-23-09 6:30pm Bowie Baysox (Orioles)

5-8-09 7:00pm Altoona Curve (Pirates)

5-9-09 6:00pm Altoona Curve (Pirates)

5-10-09 1:00pm Altoona Curve (Pirates)

5-14-09 6:30pm Harrisburg Senators (Nationals)

5-15-09 7:00pm Harrisburg Senators (Nationals)

6-3-09 7:00pm Akron Aeros (Indians)

6-4-09 7:00pm Akron Aeros (Indians)

6-9-09 7:00pm Trenton Thunder (Yankees)

6-10-09 7:00pm Trenton Thunder (Yankees)

6-20-09 6:30pm Harrisburg Senators (Nationals)

6-21-09 1:00pm Harrisburg Senators (Nationals)

7-5-09 1:00pm Connecticut Defenders (Giants)

8-14-09 7:00pm Binghamton Mets (Mets)

8-26-09 1:00pm Erie SeaWolves (Tigers)

8-27-09 7:00pm Erie SeaWolves (Tigers)

8-28-09 7:00pm Bowie Baysox (Orioles)

8-29-09 7:00pm Bowie Baysox (Orioles)

8-30-09 7:00pm Bowie Baysox (Orioles)

Ricky Bottalico

Pitched and caught in college at Central Connecticut State ... Signed by the Phillies as a Minor League free agent in 1991 ... Began his pro career as a starting pitcher with Rookie level Martinsville and then Short-A Spartanburg that summer ... After 11 starts with Spartanburg in 1992 moved to the bullpen and met success ripping off 23.1 scoreless innings out of the pen ... Began 1993 at Clearwater but pitched his way to Reading after just 13 games ... He was named the Paul Owens Award Winner as the best pitcher in the Phillies Minor League system with an organization best 24 saves ... Was one of four pitchers to combine on a no-hitter 9/4/93 vs. New Britain ... Ironically was born in New Britain (8/26/69) ... 1994 was a critical year in his career, he began the season at Triple-A but found himself back in Reading after his first rough stretch as a pro. However, he met the adversity head on and righted himself in Reading and on 7/28 was called up to the big leagues for the first time in his career, right from Double-A. He'd finish 1994 in Reading but in 1995 was in the big leagues for good ... He was a set-up man his first full year with the Phillies and went 5-3 with 2.46 ERA ... In 1996 he took over his more familiar role as closer and sealed 34 Phillies victories on his way to being named to the National League All-Star team ... He matched that save total with another 34 in 1997 ... The normally durable Bottalico had his 1998 season derailed by injuries that limited him to just 43.1 innings, landed him on the DL for the first time in his career and required surgery on his right elbow ... That off season the Phillies traded him with Garrett Stephenson to St. Louis for Ron Gant, Jeff Brantley and Cliff Politte. In 1999, his first as a Cardinal, he recovered and lead the Red Birds with 20 saves ... In 2000 he signed with Kansas City as a free agent and led the Royals in appearances (62) and saves (16) ... He returned to the Phillies as a free agent for 2001 and 2002 before pitching the last three years of his career with Arizona (2003), the Mets (2004) and Milwaukee (2005) ... In 183 career Minor League games he owns a 2.90 ERA with 63 saves. As a big leaguer his resume stands at 116 saves with a 3.99 ERA in 562 ballgames ... Will be enshrined in the Reading Baseball Hall of Fame prior to the R-Phils game vs. Erie at 7:05 PM on Tuesday, August 25.

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