Pistol Shrimp Promote Chris Dubiel and Emme Prusator to Front Office Roles
PERU, Ill. - Pistol Shrimp Baseball is proud to announce the elevation of Chris Dubiel and Emme Prusator to front office positions. Chris Dubiel will take on the new role of Broadcast & Public Relations Manager. Emme Prusator will undertake an expanded role as Content Manager.
Dubiel joined the Pistol Shrimp last season as Public Address Announcer and Stadium DJ, and currently serves as a Public Address Announcer for the Chicago Wolves, Chicago Blackhawks, and Chicago Steel. He is a graduate of DePaul University and brings over 15 years of professional sports experience to the Pistol Shrimp front office. Additionally, Dubiel provides play-by-play for the Scholastic Hockey League Network and DePaul University Hockey and has served in an on-air role with the Chicago Wolves. Originally from the northwest side of Chicago, he now resides in Plainfield, Illinois, with his wife Kristen.
The role of Broadcast & Public Relations Manager will include broadcast play-by-play, website management, and game production. Dubiel will fulfill the role of Voice of Pistol Shrimp Baseball on 103.9 WLPO and the Prospect League Network.
"I am thrilled to be the next voice of the Pistol Shrimp and very grateful for this opportunity," said Dubiel. "It was an honor to serve baseball fans in the Illinois Valley last season behind the PA mic and playing the tunes at Schweickert Stadium. I can't wait to get started and connect with the community through my on-air role."
Prusator has been with the Pistol Shrimp since the inaugural Illinois Valley season in 2021. Over the years, she has grown to lead social media, photography, and digital content. She is a graduate of Aurora University and also works as a Content Creator and Brand Engagement Specialist for Tangled Roots Brewing Company. An Illinois Valley native and Mendota Township High School alum, Prusator currently resides in Mendota with her husband, Bryson.
The role of Content Manager has been expanded to include all aspects of Pistol Shrimp content, including social media, photography, design, and merchandising. Prusator will remain in her role as game photographer and stay stationed in her familiar spot inside the dugout.
"I'm incredibly proud and grateful to step into the role of Content Manager for the Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp," said Prusator. "My loyalty to this organization and passion for growing our brand have always been rooted in building a strong connection with our fans and the surrounding community. Watching our social media presence grow alongside the team has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career. I'm thankful for the trust and continued support from John and June, and I look forward to continuing to serve our fans, support our players, and help grow the Pistol Shrimp legacy for years to come."
Dubiel and Prusator will begin work in their roles immediately, preparing for the upcoming 2026 season, less than one month away. The two promotions fulfill the duties vacated by the previous Assistant General Manager position. The organization has already begun the search for a new Public Address Announcer–a hire will be announced soon.
"It's always a huge win for an organization to have an opportunity to recognize the talents, development, and dedication of a staff member and promote them to a new role of leadership. We are extremely fortunate to have both Emme Prusator and Chris Dubiel ready, willing, and capable of stepping into new expanded roles with the team," said General Manager June Keeley.
"I was incredibly impressed with Emme's creativity and talent from the first moment I met her, and have marveled watching her craft continually improve over the years. She's been an integral part of our team's foundation and the building of our brand. I am excited to work with her year-round in her new role as Content Manager. Chris was a wonderful addition to our team last season as our PA Announcer, quickly learning the team culture and bringing excitement through the mic while maintaining a calm, organized work environment in the press box. Chris' broadcasting and professional experience render him the perfect person to take on the job of Broadcast and Public Relations Manager. I look forward to working with Chris and seeing him thrive in this new role," continued Keeley.
"We're incredibly excited to recognize the impact Chris and Emme have already had on our organization and elevate them into these expanded front office roles," said owner John Jakiemiec. "Chris brings a professional-caliber broadcast presence and deep experience in sports media that will enhance how fans connect with Pistol Shrimp Baseball, while Emme's creative eye and longstanding commitment to telling our story in the Illinois Valley make her the perfect leader for our content efforts as we head into the 2026 season."
The Pistol Shrimp open the 2026 season on Tuesday, May 26, on the road facing the Clinton LumberKings. The Pistol Shrimp will debut at home on Wednesday, May 27, against the Quincy Doggy Paddlers. Additional Opening Week home games include Thursday, May 28, and Friday, May 29, all three games beginning at 6:35 PM. More information regarding the 2026 Pistol Shrimp season ahead can be found at pistolshrimpbaseball.com.
About Pistol Shrimp Baseball
The 2024 Prospect League Champion Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp are an amateur wood-bat summer league baseball team, made up of top college players from around the country who aspire to a career in professional baseball! Established in 2019, the Pistol Shrimp are part of the Prospect League, a 20-team league that spans across the Midwest from Iowa to Tennessee to Pennsylvania. The Pistol Shrimp play their home games at Schweickert Stadium in Peru, Illinois, from late May to early August each year, and pride themselves on providing fun, affordable, family-friendly entertainment to the communities of Peru and the towns throughout the entire Illinois Valley region!