Sports stats



MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Your Easy Choice For Baseball: 93.9 FM

March 18, 2008 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


When the River Bandits return to the Quad Cities on April 3, fans will be able to follow the team's radio broadcasts on a clearer station with a wider reach thanks to a new, three-year broadcast partnership with the Regional Radio Group and WYEC Your Easy Choice 93.9 FM.

"We're thrilled to be moving over to the FM dial with such a great radio partner," said River Bandits' owner Dave Heller. "We felt it was important to upgrade our flagship station and ensure that fans can follow River Bandits baseball with a clear connection on a reliable station. WYEC also has a very wide reach that will come in crystal clear in the Quad Cities and a huge portion of western Illinois. Introducing our product to that region is an important way to broaden our fan base."

The easy listening station 93.9 WYEC is one of nine owned by IL based Miller Media Group, which also operates WKEI Newstalk 1450, WJRE Hogg Country 102.5, and WGEN Newstalk 1500, as well as stations in Taylorville, Pana, Sheblyville, and Clinton IL. WYEC made headlines earlier in March by moving their antennas and transmitter from a tower northeast of Kewanee, IL, to a new tower three miles south of Geneseo. The move increased the station's coverage from 71,000 people to 114,000 people, extending its reach to the Quad Cities.

"Adding River Bandits baseball to our programming is a great enhancement to our station," said Fletch Ford, Director of Sales and Marketing for the Regional Radio Group. "The new River Bandits management has an ambitious vision for what baseball in the Quad Cities can become, and they are committed to achieving great things. We're glad to be able to get in on the ground floor of what promises to be an exciting new day for baseball in the Quad Cities."

The three-year term of the deal was an important element of the agreement. From 2005-2007, minor league baseball in the Quad Cities was aired on WKBF AM-1270, which had switched formats numerous times. Over the last three years, the station hosted a political talk format with Air America Radio, Christian talk with The Truth, and most recently La Pantera, a Spanish language station with a regional Mexican format.

"We are excited to enter into a long term relationship between 93.9 FM and the River Bandits," said River Bandits Assistant General Manager of Corporate Sales Cory Howerton. "We really believe in the power of radio, so it was important to us to be able to achieve consistency with our flagship station. We are proud to partner with the Regional Radio Group, give our sponsors a much larger listening audience, and give our expanding fan base the chance to hear River Bandits baseball all summer."

Returning to the booth for the River Bandits in 2008 will be Ben Chiswick, the sole full-time staffer to remain with the River Bandits since the team was known as the Swing. Chiswick, who the team regards as a star, will be entering his fourth season as the voice of Quad Cities baseball.

"Our fans have really gotten to know and enjoy Ben over the last few years," said River Bandits Vice President/General Manager Kirk Goodman. "In addition to being a key member of our front office staff, he calls a great game with passion, professionalism, excitement, and a sense of humor. Dave Heller and I believe he is the best baseball announcer in the Midwest League, and we can't think of a better person to be our voice as we reintroduce River Bandits baseball to fans throughout region."

Check out the Quad Cities River Bandits Statistics



Midwest League Stories from March 18, 2008


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central