After five seasons calling games for the Double-A Jacksonville Suns, Shadrick officially began his new job with the RedHawks on Tuesday, although he wasn't able to make it to AT&T Bricktown Ballpark.

“I haven't needed the coat since 2005, but I'm glad I held onto it after leaving South Dakota,” Shadrick said.

Before his stint in Jacksonville, Shadrick spent time in Sioux Falls, S.D., calling games for the Canaries of the Northern League.

He's also worked as a play-by-play announcer for the Salem Avalanche of the Carolina League and the Wilson Tobs of the Coastal Plain League.

In addition to his play-by-play duties with the RedHawks, Shadrick will have media relations and public speaking duties.

“My goal is to get to the major leagues one day but my first priority is here in Oklahoma City now,” Shadrick said. “We want to get that attendance back up again. I know it's been down the last couple years. This should be one of the better-attended teams in the minors.”

Shadrick has had experience in Oklahoma City before.

In 2003, while at the University of Alabama, Shadrick came to Oklahoma City to call the Crimson Tide in the Women's College World Series.

The Tide's stay was short, but Shadrick stayed in the city for the week with his father.

“That's where I learned about the city and spent a week here and really enjoyed it,” Shadrick said. “In the seven years since I've been here, the place has really exploded.”

He grew up in Alabama, listening to and watching Crimson Tide football. When his athletic career ended, broadcasting began.

“I started doing college radio there and soon we were doing the sports that weren't broadcast by the networks: volleyball, softball, women's soccer; and were doing more and more things,” Shadrick said.

After college ended, he started his professional broadcasting career in Wilson, following another Alabama alum.

“Baseball's the best minor league to get in to. simply because there are more teams and more opportunities,” Shadrick said. “But I also loved baseball almost more than any other. It's a great game and I've been fortunate enough to be able to work in it.”

Shadrick was the Southern League broadcaster of the year in 2008.

It's not known if Shadrick will work with a color analyst on at least home broadcasts.

“We haven't had a sit-down discussion about that yet but I think in the next week or so we will,” he said. “I've never had anybody with me. I've been flying solo ever since I started. Now, I think it might be nice to have someone though.”

Judson Richards served as a color analyst for the RedHawks last year alongside play-by-play man Jim Byers.

Byers was the voice of the RedHawks for 11 seasons before leaving to take a similar position with the Barons.