Albany River Rats play-by-play announcer Owen Newkirk has been let go by Capital District Sports, Inc., which runs the Rats and Albany Firebirds. Newkirk was also the public relations contact for both teams, and that position has been eliminated.

Newkirk's last day will be Saturday.

"The past two years working in Albany have been a fantastic time for me," Newkirk wrote in an e-mail. "I have truly enjoyed getting to know and working with each and everyone one of you, and I hope that I will get the opportunity to continue these relationships in the near future."