Pippins Annouce Broadcast Partner and the "Voice of the Pippins"
March 21, 2014 - West Coast League (WCL)
Yakima Valley Pippins News Release
YAKIMA, Wash.-The Yakima Valley Pippins and TownSquare Media announced today that they have agreed to terms on a relationship, establishing ESPN 1460 Yakima as the exclusive English-language broadcast home of the Yakima Valley Pippins - every game, home and away. As part of the comprehensive marketing and broadcast relationship, all 60 games regular-season games, plus the 2014 WCL All-Star Game from Klamath Falls, Ore., will be broadcast live on Yakima's ESPN affiliate, including streaming through the internet and mobile devices.
"We are excited to be partnering with one of the nation's leading media groups, to ensure that fans throughout the Yakima Valley will be able to catch every play during our inaugural season," said Zachary Fraser, Chief Operating Officer of the Pippins. "The resources they offer will help deliver a quality product to our customers through multiple platforms including mobile devices."
Townsquare Media is the nation's third-largest owner/operator of radio stations. They currently operate ESPN 1460 AM, 92.9 FM The BULL, 107.3 KFFM, 99.3 FM/1280 AM KIT News talk, and KATS 94.5 in the Yakima market. This relationship will allow the Pippins to not only have every game broadcast live, but to create multi-platform promotional and community-engagement opportunities with the multiplicity of stations.
"I am really excited that we are announcing our broadcast agreement with the Yakima Valley Pippins to be broadcast on 1460 ESPN Radio." TownSquare Media Regional Vice President Cheryl Salomone said.
The privilege of broadcasting all 60 Pippins games has been bestowed to WCL veteran Ryan Rouillard. He comes to Yakima after spending last summer broadcasting for the Victoria HarbourCats, which included calling the 2013 West Coast League (WCL) All-Star Game in Victoria. You can listen to some of Ryan's work by clicking here.
"One of the things that really appealed to us was Ryan's experience in the WCL," Director of Operations Noel Zanchelli said "Through his work last summer, he proved that he has a bright future in the broadcast world and we are thrilled to have him calling Pippins baseball this season."
A native of Mercer Island, Rouillard is currently finishing his sophomore year at the University of Oregon. Rouillard is the Assistant Sports Director at campus radio KWVA, where he broadcasts UO volleyball and softball, in addition to South Eugene High School football and basketball.
"I want to thank the entire organization for this great opportunity," Rouillard said. "I enjoyed calling WCL baseball last summer and I'm excited to be back for another year. Broadcasting Pippins baseball is a privilege and I hope to create a special bond with our fans."
With the season only 77 days away, you can catch Rouillard's interviews with a different Pippins player every week in "Pippin Profiles", found online at pippinsbaseball.com. Fans can follow him on Twitter @Ryan_Rouillard for more updates leading up to the season.
The Yakima Valley Pippins will begin their quest for a WCL Championship at Yakima County Stadium on June 6th, 2014 at 7:05 P.M. against East Division rival Wenatchee. Tickets are now on sale for the 2014 season, including full-season and partial-season packages, as well as select team merchandise. Those interested in being part of something great from the start are asked to contact Noel Zanchelli at 206.271.7820 or by email at noel@pippinsbaseball.com.
You can reach the Pippins offices at 509-575-HITS (4487). The team store, stadium improvements and other fan-friendly amenity projects will begin in spring 2014.
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- Pippins Annouce Broadcast Partner and the "Voice of the Pippins" - Yakima Valley Pippins
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