Pirates 2019 Spring Training broadcast schedule released
The Pittsburgh Pirates today announced the complete broadcast schedule for the team’s 2019 Spring Training Grapefruit League games. Every date of the 2019 spring schedule is set to be covered by one of the team’s official broadcast partners AT&T SportsNet, SPORTSRADIO 93-7 The Fan and the Pirates Radio Network, as well as the team’s online stream at Pirates.com.
The spring schedule begins with three straight radio broadcasts starting with the Grapefruit League opener on Saturday, February 23, in Clearwater vs. the Philadelphia Phillies. In addition to games in Florida, the Pirates flagship station SPORTSRADIO 93-7 The Fan and the Pirates Radio Network will broadcast the two exhibition games at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Tx, as the Pirates take on the Houston Astros on March 25-26 to close out the preseason calendar.
SPORTSRADIO 93-7 The Fan and the Pirates Radio Network will carry a total of 16 preseason contests and the Pirates exclusive radio partner will provide complete updates throughout the entire Spring Training slate beginning with workouts at Pirate City.
Throughout the Spring Training schedule, five games are planned as dual broadcast and will be available on both television and radio in the greater Pittsburgh area. Pirates television partner AT&T SportsNet will carry 10 Pirates games this Grapefruit League season, including the lone night game planned in Bradenton with the Pirates playing host to the Tampa Bay Rays at LECOM Park on Friday, March 15 at 6:05 p.m. The Friday night broadcast will include a full 30-minute Pregame show and Postgame show with AT&T SportsNet broadcasters, analysts and interviews.
In addition to the 10 Spring Training games, AT&T SportsNet will air exclusive Pirates programming prior to the start of the season with new editions of Inside Pirates Baseball, with an in-depth Spring Training show and a 2019 Season Preview.
All Pirates Grapefruit League games not telecast on AT&T SportsNet or broadcast on SPORTSRADIO 93-7 The Fan and the Pirates Radio Network, can be heard via webcast at Pirates.com with mobile tune-in available via the MLB At Bat app.
Steve Blass, Greg Brown, Joe Block, Bob Walk and John Wehner will once again call the action throughout the 2019 season. Brown and Block will handle the play-by-play duties while Blass, Walk and Wehner serve as color analysts.
The 2019 season marks the final season in the broadcast booth for longtime Pirate Steve Blass. Blass announced in January he will retire from the broadcast booth at the conclusion of the 2019 season, his 60th season as a member of the Pirates organization.
Blass’ upcoming 34th season as a Pirates color analyst, makes him the longest tenured broadcaster in franchise history, surpassing long-time play-by-play announcer Lanny Frattare (33 years, 1976-2008). Moving forward, Blass will remain involved with the Pirates organization as an alumni ambassador.