WooSox Welcome First Female Broadcaster in Franchise History to Polar Park on Labor Day Weekend

The Worcester Red Sox welcomed Emma Tiedemann to Polar Park on Labor Day Weekend, making her the first female broadcaster to call games in the history of Boston’s Triple-A franchise.

Tiedemann, a native of Dallas, Texas, called two games on the WooSox Radio Network and another on NESN+ during her first career games at Polar Park.

Tiedemann was named director of broadcasting by the Portland Sea Dogs in May of 2020, and is in the midst of her second full season of action as the voice of the Red Sox’ Double-A affiliate, who are in first place and appear to be headed to the Eastern League playoffs in late September.

Prior to joining Portland, Tiedemann spent the 2018 and 2019 seasons as the director of broadcasting and media relations for the Lexington Legends, where she called back-to-back South Atlantic League Championships and received honors as the League’s Media Relations Director of the Year in 2019. She has also enjoyed stints with the St. Paul Saints, the Medford Rogues (an Oregon-based independent team), and was also the voice of the Morehead State University women’s basketball team, for whom she called games on ESPN+ and radio.

“My first impressions of Polar Park were amazing," Tiedemann said. "It has a big league feel to it, but it’s still Minor League Baseball. The experience was phenomenal, and it was a pleasure to be in the booth with the voices of the WooSox, many of whom I had already had the opportunity to connect with through my experience in Portland.”

WooSox broadcaster Tyler Murray crossed paths with Tiedemann during his time in the Eastern League as the voice of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, and as the former longtime voice of the Portland Sea Dogs, Mike Antonellis was a helpful resource to Tiedemann when she was named their director of broadcasting.

Tiedemann made it clear that her several seasons in Portland helped prepare her to make her WooSox debut, and made the transition to Polar Park during Labor Day weekend that much more seamless.

“It was great being able to see so many players who I’ve watched develop in Portland take the next step here in Worcester,” Tiedemann noted. “I particularly enjoyed calling Bryan Mata’s first Triple-A win on Sunday. He’s certainly an exciting prospect, and someone who I’ve had the pleasure of watching in Double-A.”

Mata tossed six innings, allowed two runs on four hits, walked three batters, and struck out five. He threw a season-high 100 pitches, which was only the third time this season that a WooSox pitcher has thrown at least 100 pitches.

“Emma is terrific, both as a broadcaster and as a person," said WooSox Broadcaster Jim Cain, who had the call with Tiedemann on NESN+ on Saturday. "She fit in perfectly, and it was like she had been with us all season. It speaks to her preparation and her dedication to broadcasting, which is evident as soon as you meet her. You can see the passion is there with Emma, and it was a blast to be able to work with her!”

“We take immense pride in our broadcast crews and our broadcast partners, and we strive to give fans a Major League production when it comes to WooSox games on the radio and on TV,” said the club's senior vice president of communications, Bill Wanless, who has been instrumental in hiring Triple-A broadcasters who have ascended to the Major Leagues. “When we had a few of our regular broadcasters away for family weddings last weekend, we all agreed the perfect person to ask to come join our crew at Polar Park was Emma Tiedemann.

“We have followed Emma’s career path and enjoyed her work in Portland, so she was a natural to get the call," Wanless continued. "Emma has such a pleasant personality, and that translates so well on the air. Combine her broadcasting style with her baseball knowledge, and she was the perfect addition to our team. We know WooSox fans enjoyed getting to hear and watch Emma, and we look forward to having her back at Polar Park soon.”

“Working with Emma was such an honor,” said the club's director of productions, Tim Quitadamo, who called the game with Emma on 98.9 FM on Friday. “She has such an in-depth and fun perspective on the game that's simply a joy to be around. When you add up her knowledge, personality, and attention to detail with the fact she's a phenomenal play-by-play broadcaster, it makes for a lot of fun in the booth.”

“The whole broadcast setup at Polar Park is so professional," Tiedemann said. "I’m grateful to the WooSox for the opportunity and look forward to staying connected with many of the front office members who I was able to meet on Labor Day weekend."