Tampa Bay Rays Radio Network
Encyclopedia
The Tampa Bay Rays Radio Network is a 14-station radio network
(13 AM
, 1 FM
) in Florida
that broadcasts baseball
games and related programming for the Tampa Bay Rays
of Major League Baseball
. Since 2009
, WDAE/620 AM in St. Petersburg, Florida
, has served as the flagship station for the network.
In addition, WGES
/680 AM in St. Petersburg, Florida
airs games in Spanish but is not part of the network.
has been part of the Rays Radio Network since 2005 after spending time with the Pawsox Radio Network
as an announcer there as well as the Trenton Thunder
.
Dave Wills also started with the Rays Radio Network in 2005 after 11 years with the Chicago White Sox
. He has been broadcasting sports since 1991 when he was the first announcer for the Kane County Cougars
.
Rich Herrara also started with the Rays Radio Network in 2005. He serves as the pregame & postgame host as well as the Rays' director of radio operations. He came to the Rays from Fox Sports Radio
. He has also hosted postgame shows for the Oakland A's, Golden State Warriors & San Francisco Giants.
On the Spanish broadcasts, Ricardo Tavaras does play-by-play and Enrique Oliu provides color commentary.
Radio network
There are two types of radio networks currently in use around the world: the one-to-many broadcast type commonly used for public information and mass media entertainment; and the two-way type used more commonly for public safety and public services such as police, fire, taxicabs, and delivery...
(13 AM
AM broadcasting
AM broadcasting is the process of radio broadcasting using amplitude modulation. AM was the first method of impressing sound on a radio signal and is still widely used today. Commercial and public AM broadcasting is carried out in the medium wave band world wide, and on long wave and short wave...
, 1 FM
FM broadcasting
FM broadcasting is a broadcasting technology pioneered by Edwin Howard Armstrong which uses frequency modulation to provide high-fidelity sound over broadcast radio. The term "FM band" describes the "frequency band in which FM is used for broadcasting"...
) in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
that broadcasts baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
games and related programming for the Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
of Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. Since 2009
2009 Tampa Bay Rays season
The Tampa Bay Rays' 2009 season was their 12th season of baseball on the Gulf Coast of Florida. The team attempted to defend their American League Championship they won in the previous season. Although they missed the playoffs, they still finished with a winning record – only the second in...
, WDAE/620 AM in St. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. It is known as a vacation destination for both American and foreign tourists. As of 2008, the population estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau is 245,314, making St...
, has served as the flagship station for the network.
In addition, WGES
WGES (AM)
WGES is a radio station broadcasting a Spanish language religious format. Licensed to St. Petersburg, Florida, USA, it serves the Tampa Bay area. The station is currently owned by ZGS Communications. It is also home to Spanish language broadcasts of Tampa Bay Rays baseball....
/680 AM in St. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. It is known as a vacation destination for both American and foreign tourists. As of 2008, the population estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau is 245,314, making St...
airs games in Spanish but is not part of the network.
Announcers
Andy FreedAndy Freed
Andy Freed is currently one of the radio play-by-play announcers of the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team. He and Dave Wills have worked as the team's radio duo since 2005 and are currently signed through the 2013 season...
has been part of the Rays Radio Network since 2005 after spending time with the Pawsox Radio Network
Pawsox Radio Network
The Pawsox Radio Network is the radio network of the Pawtucket Red Sox, a minor league affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. There are 9 stations in the network, including the flagship & part-time stations.-Massachusetts :...
as an announcer there as well as the Trenton Thunder
Trenton Thunder
The Trenton Thunder are an American Minor League Baseball team and are the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. The Thunder play in the Eastern Division of the Eastern League, and are the two-time defending league champions...
.
Dave Wills also started with the Rays Radio Network in 2005 after 11 years with the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
. He has been broadcasting sports since 1991 when he was the first announcer for the Kane County Cougars
Kane County Cougars
The Kane County Cougars are a Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Kansas City Royals, that plays in the Midwest League. Their home games are played in Geneva, Illinois, about 35 miles west of Chicago....
.
Rich Herrara also started with the Rays Radio Network in 2005. He serves as the pregame & postgame host as well as the Rays' director of radio operations. He came to the Rays from Fox Sports Radio
Fox Sports Radio
Fox Sports Radio, abbreviated FSR, is an international radio network consisting of sports talk programming. The network is a service of Premiere Networks...
. He has also hosted postgame shows for the Oakland A's, Golden State Warriors & San Francisco Giants.
On the Spanish broadcasts, Ricardo Tavaras does play-by-play and Enrique Oliu provides color commentary.
Flagships (4 stations)
- WDAE/620: St. Petersburg
- WGESWGES (AM)WGES is a radio station broadcasting a Spanish language religious format. Licensed to St. Petersburg, Florida, USA, it serves the Tampa Bay area. The station is currently owned by ZGS Communications. It is also home to Spanish language broadcasts of Tampa Bay Rays baseball....
/680: St. PetersburgSt. Petersburg, FloridaSt. Petersburg is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. It is known as a vacation destination for both American and foreign tourists. As of 2008, the population estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau is 245,314, making St...
(Spanish) - WFLAWFLA (AM)WFLA is an AM radio station in Tampa, Florida, serving the Arbitron Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater market with additional listenership to the east in the adjacent Lakeland-Winter Haven market and to the south in the adjacent Sarasota-Bradenton market...
/970: Tampa - WHNZWHNZWHNZ is an American radio station licensed to serve Tampa, Florida, USA. The station's broadcast license is held by Citicasters Licenses, Inc...
/1250: Tampa (backup)
Affiliates (13 stations)
- WFLNWFLNWFLN is a commercial radio station in Arcadia, Florida, broadcasting on 1480 AM. WFLN's format is News/Talk. The station runs a slate of conservative commentators including Laura Ingraham, The Rush Limbaugh Show, The Sean Hannity Show and Michael Savage. Late night programming is Alan Colmes and...
/1480: ArcadiaArcadia, FloridaArcadia is a city in DeSoto County, Florida, United States. The population was 6,604 as of the 2000 census. According to the U.S Census estimates of 2005, the city grew to 7,151. It is the county seat of DeSoto County; it is also DeSoto County's only incorporated community. On October 27, 2009,... - WFHTWFHTWFHT is a radio station licensed to Avon Park, Florida. WFHT operates with 1kW daytime & 77 watts at night.WFHT became the first of six stations in Highlands County to broadcast live over the Internet at , and the first to video stream live when it broadcasts its debate weeks over the Internet at...
/1390: Avon Park - WWJBWWJBWWJB is a radio station broadcasting a full service format. Licensed to Brooksville, Florida, USA, the station is owned by the Hernando Broadcasting Company...
/1450: BrooksvilleBrooksville, FloridaBrooksville is an incorporated city in Hernando County, Florida, in the United States. It is the county seat of Hernando County. It is a suburban city included in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:... - WENGWENGWENG is a radio station broadcasting a talk format. Licensed to Englewood, Florida, USA, the station is currently owned by Viper Communications, Inc. and features news and programming from CBS Radio, ABC Radio and Westwood One....
/1530: EnglewoodEnglewood, FloridaEnglewood is a census-designated place in Charlotte and Sarasota counties in the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2000 census, it had a population of 16,196.Englewood also was the original name for Vineland, Florida... - WHOOWHOOWHOO is the callsign for ESPN Radio 1080 the Team, an AM sports radio station in Orlando, Florida, United States. It broadcasts at a medium-wave frequency of 1080 kHz. It is owned by Genesis Communications...
/1080: KissimmeeKissimmeeKissimmee is the name of several things in the U.S. state of Florida:*Kissimmee, Florida *Kissimmee City Street Railway*Kissimmee Kreatures *Kissimmee Utility Authority...
/OrlandoOrlando, FloridaOrlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
(application to move to Winter Park, Florida & increase power) - WYGCWYGCWYGC, known as "105 The Game" is a sports radio station broadcasting from Gainesville, Florida. It was formerly Thunder Country, simulcasting WTRS 102.3 FM.-External links:*...
/104.9: La CrosseLa Crosse, FloridaLa Crosse or LaCrosse, is a town in Alachua County, Florida, United States, 15 miles from Gainesville, Florida. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 143. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 153 . The area around La Crosse is devoted to agriculture, especially...
/GainesvilleGainesville, FloridaGainesville is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Alachua County, Florida, United States as well as the principal city of the Gainesville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area . The preliminary 2010 Census population count for Gainesville is 124,354. Gainesville is home to the sixth... - WONNWONNWONN is a radio station broadcasting a Adult Standards/MOR format. Licensed to Lakeland, Florida, USA, the station is currently owned by Hall Communications, Inc....
/1230: LakelandLakeland, FloridaLakeland is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States, located approximately midway between Tampa and Orlando along Interstate 4. According to the 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimate, the city had a population of 94,406... - WORLWORLWORL is a radio station broadcasting a news talk format. Licensed to Altamonte Springs, Florida, USA, it serves the Orlando, Florida area. The station is currently owned by Salem Communications....
/660: Orlando - WWCN/770: North Fort Myers
- WCCFWCCF (AM)WCCF is a radio station broadcasting a news/talk format.Licensed to Punta Gorda, Florida, USA, the station is currently owned by Clear Channel Communications. Carries Tampa Bay Buccaneers American football and Tampa Bay Rays baseball games along with Rush Limbaugh, Dr. Laura, and Coast To Coast AM....
/1580: Punta GordaPunta Gorda, FloridaPunta Gorda is a city in Charlotte County, Florida, United States. According to the U.S. Census Bureau estimates of 2007, the city had a population of 16,762. It is the county seat of Charlotte County and the only incorporated municipality in the county...
/Port CharlottePort Charlotte, FloridaPort Charlotte is a census-designated place in Charlotte County, Florida, United States. The population was 46,451 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Punta Gorda Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:... - WSRQWSRQWSRQ is a radio station broadcasting a talk format. Licensed to Sarasota, Florida, the station is owned by SRQ Radio, LLC and features FOX News Radio. Featured shows include Imus in the Morning, Neal Boortz, Clark Howard, Dennis Miller, Dr. Laura and Lovelines with Dr...
/1220: Sarasota - WSTUWSTUWSTU is a radio station broadcasting a news radio format. Licensed to Stuart, Florida, USA, the station is currently owned by Treasure Coast Broadcasters, Inc. WSTU went on the air in December 1954. Les Combs was the original owner. In 1969 the station was sold to Harvey L Glascock, whose family...
/1450: StuartStuart, FloridaStuart is the only incorporated city of Martin County, Florida, on Florida's Treasure Coast. The population was 14,633 at the 2000 census. As of 2007, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 15,964.... - WNLSWNLS-References:...
/1270: Tallahassee - WELEWELEWELE is a radio station broadcasting a News Talk Information format.Licensed to Ormond Beach, Florida, USA, the station serves the Daytona Beach area. The station is currently owned by Wings Communications, Incorporated and features programing from Westwood One, ESPN Radio and CNN Radio....
/1380 Daytona Beach - WVOI/1480 Marco Island
Unsure status (2 stations)
- WHNZWHNZWHNZ is an American radio station licensed to serve Tampa, Florida, USA. The station's broadcast license is held by Citicasters Licenses, Inc...
/1250: TampaTampa, FloridaTampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
The former Rays flagship will now host afternoon weekday games and games with schedule conflicts. - WZHRWZHRWZHR is a radio station broadcasting a religious format. Licensed to Zephyrhills, Florida, USA, the station is currently owned by Radio World, Inc....
/1400: Zephyrhills (station still listed on Rays official affiliates list site; however, it is unlikely that it will continue to air games, since WZHR has changed its format to simulcasting WDCFWDCFWDCF is a radio station broadcasting a talk radio / adult standards format. Licensed to Dade City, Florida, USA, the station is currently owned by Radio World, Inc....
, which is now a Spanish religious station)
Former affiliates (1 station)
- WIXCWIXCWIXC is the callsign for News Talk 1060, an AM news/talk radio station licensed to Titusville, Florida, United States. It broadcasts on a medium-wave frequency of 1060 kHz. It is owned by Genesis Communications...
/1060: TitusvilleTitusville, FloridaTitusville is a city in Brevard County, Florida in the United States. It is the county seat of Brevard County. Nicknamed Space City, USA, Titusville is on the Indian River, west of Merritt Island and the Kennedy Space Center and south-southwest of the Canaveral National Seashore...
, FloridaFloridaFlorida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
(~2008)