Coldwater native Eric Bach recently debuted as a Major League Baseball broadcaster for the Washington Nationals against the Atlanta Braves.

WASHINGTON, D.C., USA — A West Michigan native is fresh off his Major League Baseball broadcasting debut.

Eric Bach, originally from Coldwater, filled in on the official radio broadcast for the Washington Nationals during the team’s game against the Atlanta Braves.

Bach said it’s been a lot of hard work, sacrifice and preparation to get the opportunity.

“I couldn’t be more grateful to the Nats for giving me that chance, but it was the result of a lot of years of work and improvement and networking and, you know, being in the right place at the right time too,” said Bach.

When the opportunity came, Bach said he was in the car, driving home following the end of their minor league season.

“I almost drove off the road when I got the call, and then at the beginning of the call, I was in kind of a dead zone, so I was like, kind of missing half of what she was saying on the other line,” said Bach of what he describes was a bit of a stressful situation.

“And luckily, I got most of the call and we locked it in. It was, it was surreal. You know, there maybe had been whispers in the past about, oh, this could happen. This could happen. And now that it finally has happened, it feels great.”

After he graduated from Coldwater High School, Bach attended Michigan State University and broadcasted for the college radio station there.

The winding path to where he is now included a graduate assistantship at a Division II school, a few other minor league jobs, ultimately landing him at the Fredericksburg Nationals, the Washington Nationals’ minor league affiliate.

He currently broadcasts for the Fredericksburg team, and also serves as their broadcasting and media relations manager.

“I just have continually worked at improving my craft, and it got me to be able to have this wonderful opportunity this past week with the Nationals for my first time at the major league level,” Bach said.

Now, with his foot in “the big door,” Bach said he is excited for what’s ahead, adding, “who knows what spring training or next baseball season will bring.”