Somerset Patriots Launch Internet Broadcast Network For Live Games, Original Programs

Somerset Patriots’ manager emeritus Sparky Lyle, general manager Patrick McVerry, chairman Steve Kalafer and field announcer Paul Spychala (left to right) at the March 24 press conference announcing the launch of SPN.tv.

Somerset Patriots fans who can’t make every home game this season will be able to watch at least 20 of them via the Internet, thanks to SPN.tv, the Patriots’ media network.

In addition to live-streaming 20 games during the season, SPN.tv will also broadcast eight original programs and game recaps.

The first game to be live-streamed this season will be the Patriots’ season opener against the Long Island Ducks on April 25.

Launched at a March 24 press conference, the network was the product of about 18 months of planning, said Patriots’ general manager Patrick McVerry.

On-air play-by-play will be handled by Justin Antweil, who has been the radio voice of the Patriots on WCTC AM.

“This is now when we go from inside the ballpark to the whole world,” said Steve Kalafer, the team’s chairman. “This is a special moment in teh history of the Somerset Patriots.”

“It’s an exciting time for us,” McVerry said. “It gives us the ability to broadcast all over the world.”

The network’s original programming will be anchored by “The Sparky Lyle Show,” in which the Cy Young Award winner and Patriots’ manager emeritus will talk about his career, the Patriots and baseball in general. The program is hosted by Paul Spychala, the team’s announcer.

Lyle said at the press conference that the show will be “light-hearted.”

“We’re going to have a good time with this,” he said.

Lyle said the program will also be a way to introduce himself to a new generation of baseball fan that may not have been around to see him during his 16-season career (1967-1982) with the Baltimore Orioles, the Boston Red Sox and, most famously, the New York Yankees.

Somerset Patriots’ vice president of public relations Marc Russinoff talks about “The Sparky Lyle Show” at the March 24 launch of SPN.tv.

Other programs planned for SPN.tv are:

• The Brett Jodie show, an interview program with the team’s manager
• Patriots Legacy, a look at Patriots players over the years
• Covering All The Bases, featuring Patriots players off-field activities
• Getting To Know, an informational show about current Patriots players
• Reporter Roundtable, a discussion program with Patriots media reprsentatives
• Let’s Get Social, which will use different social media outlets to interact with fans
• Behind The Scenes, a program focusing on the various ballpark jobs.

The network will also feature short recaps of the previous night’s game.

McVerry said future plans include live-streaming away games.

He said the decision was made to hold off on that this year because “we’re not sure that other ballparks are adequately equipped for our equipment.”

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