Monthly Archives: March 2011

The Tennessee Smokies have announced the launch of their FREE iPhone/Android application.  This free Smokies app gives fans the on-the-go way to stay updated on Smokies news, stadium information and ticket details.

“With the rapid growth of ‘smart phone’ technology and the exploding popularity of the devices, it became apparent to us that a Smokies app was a ‘must,’” said Smokies President Doug Kirchhofer.  “The Smokies wanted to be able to provide our fans with the convenience and accessibility of keeping up with the team and interacting with us via their mobile devices.  We are extremely excited that U.S. Cellular has partnered with us in our Android endeavor to help fans stay connected to the Smokies.”

The iPhone/Android app will allow fans to view the Smokies full schedule (including events), save game times and details to your personal calendar, buy tickets and merchandise, get up-to-date news, social media feeds, listen to every Smokies game live directly from your phone and much more.

Be sure to download the free app today so you can listen to the Smokies Radio Network broadcast every night this season! Fans can visit the iTunes App Store and The Android Marketplace to download the application to their mobile device.

Cubs Pitcher Carlos Zambrano. Photo Courtesy: Chicago Tribune.

Hey Smokies and Cubs fans!

Today the Cubs begin their final week of spring training beginning today with the Cleveland Indians. The game will be played in nearby Goodyear, Arizona with Len Kasper and Mick Gillispie calling the action. Carlos Zambrano will be on the mound for the last time before his start in the 2nd game of the regular season this coming Saturday. Zambrano has given up eight earned runs on 20 hits and six walks over 17.2 innings. He was roughed up by the Reds in his last outing, giving up six runs on seven hits, including two home runs. Kosuke Fukudome will be back in the leadoff spot for the Cubs, who will be making their last Cactus League road trip.

To listen to Len and Mick follow the link below. Pregame begins at 3:45 P.M. eastern time with first pitch set for 4:05.

Listen LIVE

Cubs Pitcher Matt Garza. Photo Courtesy: Chicago Tribune

Hey Smokies and Cubs fans!

Today the Cubs and White Sox do battle one more time before the season gets underway and our very own Mick Gillispie will have the call for all 9 innings. Matt Garza will make his fifth spring start and sixth appearance for the Cubs. The right-hander struggled with the mound in his last outing in Peoria. This will be his third start at HoHoKam. The White Sox won the first meeting, 4-3, in Glendale. While the White Sox plan to use a designated hitter, Cubs manager Mike Quade has said he will get Garza a few swings in the number 9 spot.

The game gets underway an hour later than normal as first pitch is set for 5:05 P.M. Eastern Standard Time. Mick will go on the air 4:45 for the pre-game in a solo broadcast. As always, you can listen live on MLB.com by following the link below. We hope you will get to listen in to all nine innings as Mick describes the action in this crosstown rivalry!

Listen LIVE at 4:45!

Cubs starter Ryan Dempster. Photo Courtesy: Chicago Tribune

Hey Cubs and Smokies Fans!

Opening Day is rapidly approaching for the Chicago Cubs, and today the North-Siders will send their Opening Day starter to get some work in the desert.

Ryan Dempster will start for the Cubs as they take on the Los Angeles Dodgers today in Glendale. Cubs  vs. Dodgers spring training games are rare, as for years the Dodgers trained in Vero Beach, Fla. Dempster will face another talented right-hander, as Chad Billingsley will start for Don Mattingly’s Dodgers.

The game will be broadcast exclusively in a live audio webcast on cubs.com with Cubs television voice Len Kasper and the Smokies Radio Network’s play-by-play announcer and 2010 Southern League Broadcaster of the Year Mick Gillispie on the call.

The game begins at 4:05 p.m. eastern time, with the pregame show beginning at 3:45. We hope you’ll get to listen in as Len and Mick describe all the action as the Cubs duel the Dodgers!

Listen Now by clicking \”MLB.COM\” next to Cubs at Dodgers!

The Oklahoma City Redhawks broadcast team of J.P. Shadrick and Darren Headrick. Photo Courtesy Oklahoma City Redhawks

Hey Smokies Fans!

One of our own at the Smokies Radio Network has some terrific news, as Darren Headrick, who was a broadcasting assistant in 2008-09 and a reporter and producer last season, is joining the Oklahoma City RedHawks broadcast team.

The RedHawks are the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros, and Headrick will serve as the pre and post-game show host as well as other on-air duties. Headrick is assisting the new voice of the Redhawks, J.P. Shadrick, who previously served as the broadcaster for the Jacksonville Suns in the Southern League, and worked for our Mick Gillispie while a student at the University of Alabama.

Here is the official release from the RedHawks, which includes broadcast information. Congratulations to Darren and J.P.!

Oklahoma City, Okla. – The Oklahoma City RedHawks and Clear Channel Radio of Oklahoma City have announced an agreement to broadcast RedHawks games on AM 1340 The Game.

1340 The Game will air all 144 regular season games live, beginning 30 minutes before the first pitch with “RedHawks On-Deck.” Game audio will also be available through the station website stream at 1340thegame.com and on mobile devices through the Clear Channel iheartradio application, a free download.

Veteran baseball broadcaster J.P. Shadrick begins his first season as “Voice of the RedHawks,” moving to Oklahoma City after five seasons with the Double-A Jacksonville Suns (Marlins). Shadrick was voted the Southern League’s Radio Broadcaster of the Year in 2008 and also has television production experience with CBS Sports and the Big Ten Network.

“1340 The Game is a perfect flagship for RedHawks radio and the team’s commitment to unsurpassed customer service,” Shadrick said. “With all 144 games live on one solid signal, combined with the internet stream and mobile device capabilities, fans have never had easier access to the RedHawks broadcast.”

Darren Headrick joins the RedHawks radio team as pre-game and post-game host, producing feature stories and providing scoreboard updates while presenting highlights from other games around baseball. Among other outlets, Headrick has on-air experience with the Tennessee Volunteers Radio Network and the Double-A Tennessee Smokies (Cubs).

“We are extremely proud of our partnership with the RedHawks and Mandalay Baseball,” Clear Channel Market Manager Bill Hurley said. “The RedHawks will produce quality broadcasts that fans will absolutely enjoy.”

The 2011 Oklahoma City RedHawks radio broadcast debuts March 29 with the broadcast of the Houston Astros-RedHawks exhibition game. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., with “RedHawks On-Deck” beginning at 6:00.

The RedHawks ticket office is now open for the 2011 season, with Astros exhibition, RedHawks single game, Bedlam series, and Big 12 Baseball Tournament tickets available now. For more information call (405) 218-1000 or visit http://www.okcredhawks.com.

Geovany Soto and Randy Wells at Cubs Spring Training. Photo Courtesy: Chicago Tribune

Hey Cubs and Smokies Fans!

On Monday, the Chicago Cubs faded late to the Seattle Mariners and lost 5-3 in Peoria. It was the first time that the Cubs were back together as a full squad since Friday, after having split-squad games on Saturday and Sunday.

Now the Cubs are back to split-squad action, facing the Colorado Rockies and Oakland Athletics. Former Smokies ace Andrew Cashner will take the hill for the Cubs against the A’s, while Randy Wells will take the ball against the Rockies at Hohokam Park.

The game against the Rockies will be broadcast exclusively in a live audio webcast on cubs.com with Cubs television voice Len Kasper and the Smokies Radio Network’s play-by-play announcer and 2010 Southern League Broadcaster of the Year Mick Gillispie on the call.

The game begins at 4:05 p.m. eastern time, with the pregame show beginning at 3:45. We hope you’ll get to listen in as Len and Mick describe all the action as the Cubs look to pick up a split-squad victory!

Listen now by clicking “MLB.COM” next to Rockies@Cubs!