MWL1 Clinton LumberKings

LumberKings to Have New "Voice" for 2014 Season

Published on March 4, 2014 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Clinton LumberKings News Release


Clinton, IA - Two weeks ago, the Clinton LumberKings announced WCCI 100.3 FM out of Savanna, Illinois, would be the new home for every 2014 broadcast. Chad Seely, who has been the "Voice of the LumberKings" for the previous two seasons, has accepted a new position with the Reno Aces of the Pacific Coast League. Seely, hired in 2012 as the Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations with Clinton, hands the reins over to recent University of Iowa graduate and Iowa native, Cheyne Reiter.

Seely of Sussex, Wisconsin, was hired as the Communications Manager for Reno - the Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduate began his minor league broadcasting career in 2011 with the Daytona Cubs, the eventual Florida State League champions. Seely then made the move back to the Midwest and Clinton where he spent the 2012 and 2013 seasons broadcasting the LumberKings' entire 140-game schedule, including postseason play. "I'm happy for Chad and this opportunity to join a great organization out in Reno," said LumberKings' General Manager Ted Tornow. "He has grown in the baseball business over the last two years and we'll miss him."

Reiter, 23, spent last summer as the play-by-play broadcaster and media relations intern for the Pulaski Mariners - Seattle's Advanced-Rookie ball affiliate in the Appalachian League. Similar to Seely's Daytona Cubs grabbing a championship in his first pro ball experience, Reiter's Mariners did the same. Pulaski ended a 22-year championship drought, sweeping the Greeneville Astros (2-0) to bring a trophy to Southwest Virginia for the first time since 1991.

Tornow is comfortable with the transition from Seely to Reiter in the booth and as a front office member. "We're thrilled to have Cheyne on board in Clinton. He's an Iowa native and I know Chad did his due diligence when he selected Cheyne not only to be his Assistant this year, but ultimately to come on board as the lead broadcaster," said Tornow.

Two levels higher in the Mariners' organization, Reiter hopes the familiarity will make the jump easier.

"The manager last season in Pulaski (Chris Prieto) and the athletic trainer (Geoff Swanson) both will be in Clinton this season," said Reiter. "Throw in a great group of guys from Pulaski last season to this season in Clinton...it's going to be fun."

At Iowa, Reiter broadcasted Hawkeyes football, men's and women's basketball, and wrestling meets on the student-run radio station, KRUI. He also was the play- by-play voice for the station's first-ever bowl broadcast - the 2014 Outback Bowl between Iowa and LSU. But it's baseball where his broadcasting passion lies.

"I grew up listening to Chicago Cubs radio broadcasters Pat Hughes and Ron Santo on a daily basis," smiled Reiter. "I'd get home from school, grab the sports section from the newspaper, and turn on WGN immediately. I envisioned being in their shoes someday."

Reiter is ready for the challenge of full-season affiliated baseball after spending the last week in Clinton. "Chad has been great through this whole process," said Reiter of Seely. "Getting the LumberKings broadcasts on WCCI was huge. He's been teaching me on the fly the past couple of weeks, trying to make the transition as smooth as possible. I really look forward to seeing him down the road."

Clinton opens the 2014 season on the road Thursday, April 3 against Cedar Rapids. The home opener is set for Tuesday, April 8 as Clinton hosts the Lake County Captains at Ashford University Field at 6:30 PM. For tickets and group information, call the ticket office at 563-242-0727.

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