The Coastal Plain League announced today that the voice of the Martinsville Mustangs, Riley Trapp, has been named the CPL Broadcaster of the Year for the 2024 season.
“It is truly humbling to be able to represent Martinsville and the CPL with this award,” said Trapp. “I’d like to thank Jason Davis and Joe Haynes for having faith in me. I’d also like to thank Connor Akeman, who not only hired me but helped me every step of the way and made this summer better. With Connor being a broadcaster himself, he took a chance on me, and while I don’t think I will ever be able to fill his shoes, I hope I was able to live up to the standard he set originally. I want to thank Brandon Nania, Mason Gary, Hunter Steel and all the boys for accepting me as a part of the team, as they made my job so easy with the way they played day in and day out. I also want to thank Ty Hairston, our producer for putting up with me all season long. He is the best producer in the CPL, and we are truly lucky to have him in Martinsville. Finally, I want to thank my lord and savior Jesus Christ as without Him, none of this would be possible.”
In addition to call all home games on FloSports, Trapp also traveled with the team on the road and broadcasted via Mustangs Radio so that hometown fans could follow away games with a familiar voice.
Currently a Broadcast Journalism student at the University of Missouri, Trapp aspires to be a professional broadcaster one day. In addition to this past season with Martinsville, he has also worked for the Burlington Bees (Prospect League) and Chicago Bandits (Women’s Professional Softball), as well as KCOU 88.1 FM and KOMU Channel 8 in Columbia, Missouri. He also has spent time as a broadcast assistant for ESPN Chicago.
Fans – both of the Mustangs and from other CPL teams – complimented Trapp’s deep knowledge of the game of baseball, as well as being a broadcaster who had done their homework on players from both teams for every game. Several remarked on how well his commentary went along with the stream of the games and the fun energy he brought each night.
“He was very professional, but also fun to listen to,” remarked one fan. “He interacted with the audience and the game well and knew how to make even the slowest games seem interesting.”
Trapp has noted that through countless hours of preparation, he looks to create a unique viewing and listening experience that makes viewers/listeners feel like they are watching the game in person.
“I believe that broadcasting is the least important thing I do and I value being a part of the team and the community far greater than simply talking into a microphone,” continued Trapp. “There are so many people in Martinsville who have made this past summer one I will remember for the rest of my life. Thank you to everyone who watched and listened all summer long. Thank you for putting up with me all year, and voting for a kid from Barrington, Illinois. I am forever in debt to Martinsville and the Stang Gang.”
About Coastal Plain League:
The Coastal Plain League is the nation’s premier summer collegiate baseball league. The CPL is currently comprised of 15 franchises playing in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. To date, the CPL has had over 1,800 alumni drafted, and 194 alums make their Major League debut. Most notable alumni include Justin Verlander, Ryan Zimmerman, Mark Reynolds, Kevin Youkilis, Chris Taylor, Alec Bohm, Jake Cave, Chas McCormick and NFL Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok @CPLBaseball.
About Capitol Broadcasting Company:
Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc. is a diversified communications company which owns and/or operates WRAL-TV, WRAZ-TV, WRAL-FM, WRAL-HD2, WNGT-CD, WCMC-FM, WCMC-HD1, WDNC-AM, WCMC-HD2, WCMC-HD3, WCLY-AM, WCMC-HD4, Microspace, WRAL Digital and Wolfpack Sports Properties (a joint venture with Learfield) in Raleigh, NC; WILM-TV, WILT-LD and Sunrise Broadcasting in Wilmington, NC; The Durham Bulls Baseball Club, Bull City Hospitality and Coastal Plain League in Durham, NC; The Holly Springs Salamanders in Holly Springs, NC; Greenville Yard Gnomes in Greenville, NC, the American Underground startup hub in Durham, NC; and real estate interests including the American Tobacco Historic District in Durham, NC, and Rocky Mount Mills in Rocky Mount, NC.