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Bulls Name Tony Riggsbee As Next PA Announcer
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On Monday, March 27, 2006, the Durham Bulls announced longtime local radio personality Tony Riggsbee as the successor to Bill Law as public address announcer at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Riggsbee will work on a limited basis during the 2006 season as Law’s understudy as he prepares to take over the full-time duties in 2007.
“Tony’s been a recognizable voice in the Triangle for over 30 years with his work on local radio and television,” Durham Bulls General Manager Mike Birling said. “Add that to his nightly duties covering the Bulls and we think it will be a great fit.”
Riggsbee will be only the 2nd public address announcer in 12 seasons at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Bill Law, who took over the duties when the park opened in 1995 and never missed a game, has decided to step down after the 2006 season and pursue other opportunities with the Bulls.
“Knowing someone with Tony’s talent and love of baseball is taking over makes retiring a little easier for me.” Law said, “I look forward to sitting in the stands listening to this professional.”
Riggsbee can be heard daily on WDNC-AM 620 doing morning news and sportscasts. He spent the bulk of his local radio career doing sports broadcasts on WPTF-AM 680 from 1979-2004. Riggsbee also worked for WTIK Radio and WRDU-TV in the 1970’s.
His baseball broadcasting resume is equally impressive, including a nationally syndicated Baseball America Report in 1984, Durham Bulls television play-by-play from 1986-1988 and Bulls radio play-by-play from 1986-1988. He also served as radio broadcaster for his alma mater, North Carolina State University, for the women’s basketball program from 1990-1997 and the baseball team in 1998. He currently serves as PA Announcer for the Wolfpack Baseball team.
The decorated radio veteran received the Associated Press Best Radio Sportscast Award in 2002 and the Raleigh Hot Stove League Media Award in 1984 and 1988.
Riggsbee is also active in the local sports community, serving on the Raleigh Hot Stove League Board of Directors since 2001 and serving as Carolina League Chairman of the National Association of Baseball Writers & Broadcasters from 1988-1991. He is also a member of the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association.
Thanks to DBBC’s Matt DeMargel for this capcom story.
