Sarasota highlighted to millions in mid-Atlantic region through O's spring training radio, TV broadcasts

The Orioles recently announced their radio and television broadcasts for the 2013 spring training season, providing the Sarasota area exposure to millions of households in the Mid-Atlantic region. "Not every Orioles fan is able to attend Spring Training in Sarasota County each year, so we are thankful that many of the games are broadcast back to the Mid-Atlantic market," said Virginia Haley, President of Visit Sarasota County. "Fans watching on television are exposed to the beauty of our area with shots that show off our amazing sandy beaches, boats floating on shining blue water, cultural attractions, fresh Florida seafood and more. We're confident the broadcasts incentivize folks to come to Sarasota. Mid-Atlantic visitor numbers have grown each year since the Orioles arrival, and hoteliers tell us to expect more of the same this year." MASN, the Orioles' television rightsholder, will air six spring training games from Ed Smith Stadium in 2013. Those games include February 25 vs. New York, March 7 vs. Toronto, March 14 vs. Tampa Bay, March 17 vs. Minnesota, March 23 vs. Philadelphia and March 27 vs. New York.MASN's exclusive television territory covers overseven million households in all or parts of six states and the District of Columbia from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to Charlotte, North Carolina. In addition to the games that will air on MASN, ESPN will air the Orioles game against the Boston Red Sox from Ed Smith Stadium on March 25 at 1:05 p.m. "Through Orioles spring training broadcasts, millions of households can learn about the beauty of the Sarasota area, creating awareness that can lead to increased tourism and economic benefit for the region," said Greg Bader, Orioles Vice President of Communications & Marketing. "In addition to MASN and Orioles Radio Network broadcasts, the Sarasota area also benefits from radio and television broadcasts of spring training games by our opponents to their regional audiences and by national rightsholders to an even more widespread audience." The Orioles Radio Network's flagship, 1090 AM WBAL Radio, will broadcast 16 spring training games, 10 of which will be played in Sarasota. WBAL Radio is a 50,000 watt station whose signal covers Maryland and some neighboring states. The Orioles Radio Network includes more than 30 stations covering six states (Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Delaware and West Virginia) and the District of Columbia.Four of the broadcasts will include 30 minute pre- and post-game shows. Games to be broadcast include February 23, 24, 27 and March 3, 8, 9, 10, 13, 16, 17, 21, 23, 24, 27, 28 and 30. The Orioles' 2013 spring training season will begin on Saturday, February 23 at 1:05 p.m. against the Minnesota Twins at Ed Smith Stadium. The game will be broadcast live on the Orioles Radio Network.