Maroon and White Nation
Fansided

The new Voice of the Diamond Dawgs is here - Mississippi State names Jim Ellis' replacement

A familiar voice will now call Mississippi State baseball games over the radio following the retirement of the legendary Jim Ellis.

ByAndrew Miller|
Jim Ellis speaks at the Ring of Honor Inductee Ceremony. Mississippi State played Youngstown State on Saturday, February 16, 2019. Photo by Keith Warren Msu Youngstown State
Jim Ellis speaks at the Ring of Honor Inductee Ceremony. Mississippi State played Youngstown State on Saturday, February 16, 2019. Photo by Keith Warren Msu Youngstown State | Keith Warren via Imagn Content Services, LLC

We're just a few weeks away from the start of the 2025 Mississippi State baseball season. As the Diamond Dawgs begin their road to Omaha, there'll be a new voice narrating the action at Dudy Noble Field over the airwaves.

Back in December, Mississippi State's legendary baseball play-by-play announcer Jim Ellis announced his retirement, and now we know who'll be stepping into his role as the "Voice of the Diamond Dawgs."

Mississippi State Bulldogs radio announcer Neil Price to take over baseball play-by-play duties

Mississippi State is staying in-house for their new "Voice of the Diamond Dawgs." Neil Price, who currently serves as Mississippi State's radio play-by-play announcer for football and men's basketball, will add baseball play-by-play to his plate in Starkville.

Neil Price came to Mississippi State in 2017 after over a decade of calling baseball and women's basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats. He took over as the Bulldogs' play-by-play guy for football and men's basketball, quickly proving to be a fantastic addition to Mississippi State. In 2024, he was named Mississippi Sportscaster of the Year by NSMA Sports Media.

Now with the retirement of Jim Ellis, Price steps into the booth at Dudy Noble Field to paint the scenes of Bulldog fans' most cherished pastime. He'll call the action alongside the Godfather of SEC Baseball, Ron Polk, and former MSU and MLB pitcher Jay Powell.

Neil Price has massive shoes to fill as the "Voice of the Diamond Dawgs"

Neil Price is now given the impossible task of replacing a legendary figure in Mississippi State athletics. Jim Ellis was a fixture in Starkville, having spent the last 46 years as the play-by-play announcer for Bulldog baseball.

Many of the greatest moments in Mississippi State athletics history took place with Jim Ellis setting the scene for countless Bulldog fans, none bigger than the 2021 national championship. He was perfectly suited for the sport, masterfully putting into words a game as nuanced as baseball. Truthfully, there will be no replacing him.

But fortunately, Neil Price is an outstanding broadcaster in his own right. There's no doubt he'll properly honor the legacy of Jim Ellis in the booth, and certainly, he'll provide his own fair share of legendary calls as the "Voice of the Diamond Dawgs."

Home/Mississippi State Baseball