We have personnel news to report from a pair of Class AA Eastern League squads, including the Reading Fightin Phils and the Richmond Flying Squirrels.
In Reading, the Fightin Phils have announced that Matt Hoffmaster has been named Assistant General Manager. Hoffmaster was previously Executive Director of Operations. He will be entering his 14th season with the Fightin Phils.
“Matt has been an integral part of the R-Phils front office family for many years”, said Fightins General Manager Scott Hunsicker. “His communication skills and leadership qualities are outstanding, as he works in concert with our tremendous staff. An example of his leadership would be the very successful Baseballtown Gridiron Classic football series that Matt spearheaded for us this past season. We look forward to Matt continuing to grow as a vital part of our staff, and of this community.”
The lifelong resident of Reading has been with the organization since 2004, when he started as a mascot. He graduated from Muhlenberg High School and Slippery Rock University. Hoffmaster became an intern in 2005 and has since elevated his way up in the organization. He became full-time with the organization at the end of the 2007 season. He has held multiple positions over that time.
“I’d like to thank the Reading Fightin Phils organization for this opportunity. The Fightin Phils mean a lot to me since I attended countless games at FirstEnergy Stadium while growing up and they provided me my first full time job upon graduating college”, said Hoffmaster. “I look forward to continue working with an amazing group of co-workers as we grow the Fightin Phils within our surrounding communities while offering affordable family entertainment.”
Hoffmaster currently resides in Spring Township with his wife Erin and son Cole.
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In Richmond, the Flying Squirrels have announced that Trey Wilson will join the organization as the team’s new play-by-play broadcaster and Director of Communications & Broadcasting.
“The Flying Squirrels have had great success in the broadcast booth throughout our history and Trey will certainly continue that,” said Flying Squirrels VP & COO Todd “Parney” Parnell. “His local ties and his experience in the Eastern League will make him a valuable asset to our front office staff and the RVA community.”
A native of Portsmouth, Va., Wilson spent the last four seasons as the play-by-play voice and Director of Communications & Broadcasting for the Eastern League’s Altoona Curve, Double-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. He is a 2013 graduate of Bluefield College, where he began his broadcasting career in 2010 and later served as Assistant Director of New Media & Sports Information.
“I am beyond excited to come back to my home state and join one of the top organizations in the game of baseball,” Wilson said. “Richmond is an incredible city and the Flying Squirrels have a passionate fan base. I can’t wait to get started.”
Wilson, 29, began his career on the airwaves in professional baseball in 2013 with the Bluefield Blue Jays (Rookie; Appalachian League) and spent 2014 with the Lansing Lugnuts (Low A; Midwest League). He has also voiced college athletic events for various networks across the United States and high school state championship events in the Richmond, Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia regions.
With the Flying Squirrels, Wilson will be the lead play-by-play voice for the team’s radio broadcasts on Fox Sports 910. He will also head the club’s media and public relations work, host the TV show “Flying Squirrels Insider” on Community Idea Stations and assist with graphic design, social media and the organization’s digital presence.
Wilson takes over for Jay Burnham, who earlier this month was named the new play-by-play broadcaster for UMass men’s basketball after six seasons with the Flying Squirrels.