Pippins Welcome New Broadcaster for 2022 Season

Zach McKinstry brings college baseball, SEC experience to Yakima Valley

YAKIMA, Wash. — Amidst player signings, the Yakima Valley Pippins have officially brought on a new Play-by-Play Broadcaster and Media Relations Manager.

Zach McKinstry, a 2021 graduate of the University of South Carolina,  comes to Yakima Valley with experience broadcasting in the Coastal Plains League, the Expedition League, NCAA Division II, as well as SEC Network.

Zach McKinstry

Zach McKinstry, right, joins the Pippins as Play-by-Play Broadcaster and Media Relations Manager for the 2022 season.

“I’m extremely excited to travel out west and be a part of a championship caliber team and a supportive, baseball-loving community,” said McKinstry, a Charlotte, North Carolina, native.

While attending the University of South Carolina, McKinstry started his broadcasting career calling Gamecocks softball and soccer for the SEC Network. He has spent the previous two summers with the Lexington County Blowfish and the Western Nebraska Pioneers, both collegiate summer baseball teams.

“Bringing Zach to Yakima and the Pippins is a great addition for us,” Pippins general manager Jeff Garretson said. “His knowledge and skills he’s honed over the past few years will help enhance our audio and video livestreams.”

McKinstry currently works as the Director of the Sports Network at the NCAA DII University of North Carolina at Pembroke, broadcasting and producing streams for nine different sports.

“I can’t wait to bring my passion for baseball to the Pippins and become a part of this organization,” McKinstry said.

Chris Rosato Jr., who held the position in 2021 and planned to return this year, was promoted to the full-time positions of Events and Marketing Manager for the Erie, Pennsylvania, Sports Commission in February.

The Pippins begin their eighth WCL season at Yakima County Stadium on June 3 with a rematch of the 2021 West Coast League Championship Series against Corvallis. Tickets for all six fireworks nights, including Opening Night, Fan Appreciation Night, Celebrate America Night and Military Appreciation Night, are available for purchase at PippinsTickets.com. Single-game tickets for all 32 home games go on sale April 5.

By Zach McKinstry

March 21, 2022