Fifteen Minor League Baseball (MiLB) games will be broadcast on the American Sports Network (ASN) this summer under a deal reached with Sinclair Networks Group.
The broadcasts include two All-Star Games, with the remaining matches coming from Class AAA, Class AA, High and Low Class A and short season A teams. Here’s a full list:
- May 31: Iowa Cubs (Cubs) at El Paso Chihuahuas (Padres), 7 p.m. ET
- June 7: Carolina Mudcats (Braves) at Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Cubs), 6 p.m. ET
- June 14: Greensboro Grasshoppers (Marlins) at Lexington Legends (Royals), 6 p.m. ET
- June 20: Florida State League All-Star Game, hosted by St. Lucie Mets (Mets), Port St. Lucie, Florida, 7 p.m. ET
- June 21: Harrisburg Senators (Nationals) at Altoona Curve (Pirates), 6 p.m. ET
- June 23: Midwest League All-Star Game, hosted by Peoria Chiefs (Cardinals), Peoria, Illinois, 7 p.m. ET
- June 28: Springfield Cardinals (Cardinals) at Arkansas Travelers (Angels), 7 p.m. ET
- July 5: Akron RubberDucks (Indians) at Richmond Flying Squirrels (Giants), 6 p.m. ET
- July 12: Spokane Indians (Rangers) at Hillsboro Hops (Diamondbacks), 7 p.m. ET
- July 19: Aberdeen IronBirds (Orioles) at Tri-City ValleyCats (Astros), 6 p.m. ET
- July 26: Durham Bulls (Rays) at Norfolk Tides (Orioles), 6 p.m. ET
- August 2: Nashville Sounds (Athletics) at Omaha Storm Chasers (Royals), 6 p.m. ET
- August 9: Birmingham Barons (White Sox) at Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Reds), 6 p.m. ET
- August 16: Gwinnett Braves (Braves) at Columbus Clippers (Indians), 6 p.m. ET
- August 23: Hickory Crawdads (Rangers) at Greensboro Grasshoppers (Marlins), 6 p.m. ET
“We look at our new relationship with ASN as yet another way to expand the reach of Minor League Baseball beyond the ballpark,” said Michael Hand, Minor League Baseball CMO and President, MiLB Enterprises. “We have been a part of the sports landscape for more than a century and provided entertainment to millions of fans. We’re thrilled to bring the Minor League Baseball grassroots experience into more American homes and tell the incredible stories of our clubs while highlighting the commitment made to each community.”
The games’ on-air talent includes current ASN broadcasters Dave Armstrong, Keith Moreland and Brian McRae. Armstrong, who will do play-by-play, boasts professional sports credentials including three seasons in Major League Baseball as the television voice of the Kansas City Royals (1993-1995) followed by six seasons with the Colorado Rockies (1996-2001). Moreland, a 12-year MLB veteran who played for the Phillies, Cubs and Padres, and Brian McRae, who played 10 seasons in Major League Baseball and six seasons in Minor League Baseball, will serve as color analysts. Moreland’s broadcast experience includes serving as TV and radio analyst for Texas Longhorns baseball and football. He also worked as lead radio analyst for the Chicago Cubs, and as a college baseball TV analyst for ESPN. McRae has worked as a television studio analyst for ESPN’s Baseball Tonight, WGN and SportsChannel Chicago, and part-time game analyst for the Kansas City Royals.
“We’re proud to enter into this relationship with Minor League Baseball, a leading sports property,” said Doron Gorshein, COO of Sinclair Networks Group. “This initiative extends our sports brand, deepens our connection to our communities, and enhances localism. We’re pleased to enter into this relationship. This agreement makes our offering more robust and helps take ASN to the next level.”
American Sports Network is an interesting collection of event broadcasts, anchored by midmarket collegiate conferences and typically broadcast on alternative digital channels or regional cable channels. In Madison, for instance, ASN broadcasts can be found on WMSN-2, which is an over-the-air digital channel also carried on the local cable system.