Tacoma Rainiers hire Rylee Pay as new play-by-play voice

The Tacoma Rainiers announced that Rylee Pay will be the new radio broadcaster for the team, becoming the first female lead broadcaster in Triple-A.  (Courtesy of the Tacoma Rainiers)

The Tacoma Rainiers announced on Wednesday they have hired Rylee Pay as their new radio play-by-play voice, becoming the first lead female broadcaster in Triple-A baseball.

Pay takes over the job from Mike Curto, who announced his retirement in November after 26 years as the voice of the Rainiers.

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A graduate of the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Pay has been a broadcaster with the Portland Sea Dogs the last two years. The Sea Dogs are the Double-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox.

"Rylee had the right combination of experience and creativity and was the best fit for our culture and brand – two things that we took very seriously when determining the right fit," Rainiers president Aaron Artman said in a statement. "From Bob Robertson to Mike Curto, there is a legacy here in Tacoma that is unique, and I look forward to Rylee adding to that legacy on the airwaves when we kick off the season on March 28th."

Per the Rainiers, over 250 people applied for the job after Curto's retirement. In addition to the Sea Dogs, Pay has worked with the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod League, Wisconsin Rapids Rafters of the Northwoods League collegiate summer ball, and called games for MLB's Arizona Fall League.

"I’ve heard so many fantastic things about the culture of Tacoma and what baseball means to this city," Pay said in a statement. "I really want to paint the picture of what is happening on the field and help bring the game to life for those fans that can’t attend. I look forward to meeting the people of Tacoma and immersing myself in this special community."

Tacoma’s 2025 season kicks off with Opening Day on March 28 at Cheney Stadium.

The Source: Announcement by the Tacoma Rainiers.

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