Mar 1, 2022
In this episode, K.P. catches up with Vancouver Canadians (MiLB) play-by-play announcer Tyler Zickel to chat about his start in the broadcasting industry, his most memorable announcing moments, and his preparation for the upcoming minor-league baseball season. He also shares some tips for those interested in the profession.
The 2022 season will be Zickel's eighth in baseball. The San Diego native began his journey with the High-A Lake Elsinore (California) Storm before spending three years calling the action for the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats from 2017 to 2019. The 2020 minor-league season was cancelled because of COVID-19, and the Canadians came calling for Zickel prior to the start of the 2021 season.
The one-time second baseman from Whittier College in Los Angeles will be calling Canadians ballgames from Vancouver for the first time in 2022, even though he's in his second season with the organization. The Canadians played their home games in Hillsboro, Oregon, during the 2021 season because of extended border closures preventing the team to return to Vancouver.
A note about some of the dates mentioned in the conversation: The Canadians’ 2022 season is expected to begin on Friday, April 8, when the club is scheduled to play a three-game series in Spokane, Washington, against the Spokane Indians, followed by a six-game set in Pasco, Washington, against the Tri-City Dust Devils. The Canadians’ home opener at historic Nat Bailey Stadium is slated for Tuesday, April 19, against the Eugene (Oregon) Emeralds.
The home schedule is subject to COVID-19 restrictions in British Columbia, Canada, but for now the April 19th date will mark baseball’s return to Nat Bailey Stadium 963 days after the last game was played at the ballpark on August 30, 2019.