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IL1 Buffalo Bisons

All-Star Game Update: Announcers, Umpires Named

June 21, 2012 - International League (IL1)
Buffalo Bisons News Release


There are just 20 days remaining until the return of the Triple-A All-Star Game to Coca-Cola Field on Wednesday, July 11, presented by the New Era Cap Company and the Buffalo News. The eyes and ears of the baseball world will be focused on Buffalo, NY and today Triple-A Baseball announced to fans across the country who will bring them all the great action.

PAUL SEVERINO, JONATHAN MAYO and SAM RYAN have been named the announcing crew for the nationwide broadcast on the MLB NETWORK. "The Voice of the Bisons," BEN WAGNER will be joined by Fresno Grizzles' announcer DOUG GREENWALD on the radio in all 30 Triple-A markets across the country as well as to our brave service men and women at home, abroad and at sea on The Armed Forces Network.

The Bisons announced that there are APPROXIMATELY 4,600 TICKETS REMAINING for the Triple-A All-Star Game. The club also announced that only 6,000 tickets remain for the All-Star Home Run Derby on Monday, July 9 at Coca-Cola Field, presented by Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel.

Fans can purchase tickets to both events on Bisons.com or by calling THE-HERD at (716) 843-4373. There is also a limited number of Buffalo News All-Star Four-Pack remaining. The package includes four tickets (Sections 123, 125, 126, 128), four hot dogs, four Coca-Colas and 15% off at Bisons gift shops at the All-Star Game for only $99.

It was also announced Thursday that International League umpire MARK LOLLO will be the All-Star Game's umpire behind the plate with TOBY BASNER having the second base duties. They will be joined by SHAUN FRANCIS (first base) and CLINT FAGAN (third base) from the Pacific Coast League.

Severino, Mayo Ryan head up MLB Network Handling play-by-play duties on the telecast will be Paul Severino. Severino hosts several studio programs on MLB Network, including the Emmy Award-winning "MLB Tonight," "Quick Pitch" and MLB Network Strike Zone. In 2011, Severino provided play-by-play for three Arizona Fall League game telecasts on MLB Network, including the Rising Stars Game and Championship Game. Prior to joining MLB Network, Severino worked at ESPN, where he served as an ESPNews anchor. His resume includes hosting halftime shows for NBA and NCAA football games and daily programming for ESPN.com.

The role of analyst goes to Jonathan Mayo, the draft and prospect expert for MLB.com, the official website of Major League Baseball. He's covered every aspect of the game, including the World Series, MLB All-Star Game, the Caribbean World Series, and the College World Series, and has provided in-game color commentary, sideline reporting, and studio analysis, including during MLB Network's coverage of the MLB First Year Player Draft. He also served as the field reporter for the national television broadcast of the 2008 Triple-A All-Star Game.

The Emmy-Award winning Sam Ryan will serve as this year's field reporter. The MLB Network studio host and reporter frequently appears on programming such as MLB Network Showcase game telecasts, "The Rundown" and "Quick Pitch". Formerly of ABC and ESPN as well as WCBS-TV in New York, Ryan has reported from the sideline for Sunday Night Baseball telecasts, the Little League World Series, NHL Stanley Cup Finals, and NFL Monday Night Football.

Wagner, Greenwald Anchor All-Star Game Radio Network "The Voice of the Bisons," Ben Wagner will handle the play-by-play duties for the All-Star Game, which will air in all 30 Triple-A markets. The American Forces Network will also showcase the event, bringing the Triple-A All-Star Game to the U.S. Armed Forces stationed outside the contiguous United States on U.S. military installations and aboard U.S. Navy ships at sea. Wagner is in his sixth season with the Buffalo Bisons, joining the team prior to the 2007 season.

Joining Wagner will be Doug Greenwald, the play-by-play voice of Fresno of the Pacific Coast League. Greenwald is in his tenth season with the Grizzles.

All-Star Game Umpires Announced The man behind the plate will be Mark Lollo. A resident of New Lexington, Ohio, Lollo is currently in his fourth season as an umpire in Triple-A Baseball and eleventh season overall as a professional umpire. Before joining the International League, he served assignments in the Gulf Coast, New York-Penn, Florida Instructional, South Atlantic, Carolina, Florida State, Texas, and Eastern Leagues. He's also worked in the prestigious Arizona Fall League, and last season he made his debut filling in at the Major League level.

First base umpire Shaun Francis is in his third season of service with the Pacific Coast League. Before joining the Triple-A ranks, Francis worked games in the Gulf Coast, New York-Penn, Midwest, Florida State, Arizona Instructional, and Eastern Leagues. He resides in Cohoes, New York.

Manning second base will be the International League's Toby Basner. Basner is a nine-year veteran and is in his third season with the IL. The Snellville, Georgia resident has spent time in the Gulf Coast, Appalachian, Florida Instructional, South Atlantic, Carolina, and Southern Leagues, along with a short stint in the Pacific Coast League. Basner has also worked in the Arizona Fall League and the Dominican, Venezuelan, and Puerto Rican Winter Leagues. He has been selected for a Major League Spring Training assignment each of the last three seasons.

Making the calls on the third base side of the diamond will be Clint Fagan, who has been with the Pacific Coast League since 2010. His resume includes service with the Pioneer, Florida Instructional, Midwest, Arizona Instructional, Florida State, Eastern, Texas, Venezuelan, and Arizona Fall Leagues during the course of his eight-year career. The Tomball, Texas resident worked his first regular season game at the Major League level last season.

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