Pirates announce 2013 Spring Training broadcast schedule

The Pittsburgh Pirates today announced the complete broadcast schedule for the team's 2013 Spring Training Grapefruit League games. The schedule -- starting with the first radio broadcast, a 1:05 p.m. split squad game at Port Charlotte (Tampa Bay Rays) on Saturday, February 23 -- ensures the team will be broadcast nearly every day this Spring in and around the greater Pittsburgh area.

Fans will have the opportunity to watch or listen to Pirates games every day during the 2013 Grapefruit League season via team official broadcast partners ROOT SPORTS and 93-7 THE FAN, the Pirates Radio Network (see below list) and webcasts on pirates.com.

ROOT SPORTS will carry FIVE Pirates Spring Training games this Grapefruit League season, up from the four televised last season. They include:

• Friday, March 1 at Boston Red Sox at 7:05 p.m.
• Friday, March 8 vs. Baltimore Orioles at 7:05 p.m.
• Saturday, March 9 vs. Minnesota Twins at 1:05 p.m.
• Saturday, March 23 vs. Boston Red Sox at 1:35 p.m.
• Sunday, March 24 vs. Baltimore Orioles at 1:05 p.m.

The first Pirates full squad game broadcast on The Fan and the Pirates Radio Network will be the team's Grapefruit League Home Opener on Sunday, February 24, against the Atlanta Braves at 1:05 p.m. from McKechnie Field in Bradenton, Fla. The radio network will carry a total of 15 Spring Training contests, including the Saturday, March 30 game in Altoona vs. the Altoona Curve (Pirates Double-A Affiliate).

In addition to the broadcast schedule, the Pirates exclusive radio partner will provide complete updates throughout the entire Spring Training schedule that begins with pitchers and catchers first workout at Pirate City on February 12.

The season's first "Neal Huntington Show," which will air prior to every Sunday game throughout the season, will be broadcast on Sunday, March 10 prior to the 1:05 p.m. game vs. the Baltimore Orioles. All other Pirates Grapefruit League games not telecast on ROOT SPORTS or broadcast on 93-7 The Fan can be viewed via webcast at pirates.com. The only scheduled days not slated for broadcast are Friday, February 22, (Black & Gold game) and the Tuesday, March 5 game vs. World Baseball Classic participant Team Spain at Bradenton.

Steve Blass, Greg Brown, Tim Neverett, Bob Walk and John Wehner will call the action throughout the 2012 season. Brown and Neverett will handle the play-by-play duties while Blass, Walk and Wehner serve as color analysts.