The Ducks announced a radio partnership to broadcast all weekend games for the next three seasons on My Country 96.1 FM, Long Island’s only country music station. Games can be heard from Friday to Sunday, and My Country didn’t rule out broadcasting weekday games on occasion.
“This is a great day in Ducks history as we announced a partnership with WJVC 96.1 FM,” Ducks president and general manager Michael Pfaff, said at a press conference on Wednesday.
“We are extremely pleased to have a large number of our games on such a powerful FM signal on Long Island,” Pfaff said. “WJVC is undoubtedly developing into one of the major players on the Long Island radio scene and will help us to expand our presence in the market.”
It wasn’t long after WJVC President John Caracciolo purchased the signal for 96.1 FM that the Ducks contacted Caracciolo to discuss a partnership, Pfaff said.
Founder and CEO of the Long Island Ducks, Frank Boulton said “baseball on FM radio, its been my dream.”
Boulton said of broadcasting the Ducks on the weekends makes it “special,” and it would be hard for the radio station to break format everyday during the week.The broadcast team will include Long Island radio personalities Chris King and David Weiss, as well as minor league veteran Casey Lynn, who is also the Ducks’ media relations manager.
“I can’t tell you guys how proud we are to be part of this organization,” Caracciolo said after replacing his suit jacket with a Long Island Ducks jersey.
“We are thrilled to welcome the Ducks to the WJVC family,” he said. “The Ducks are Long Island’s baseball team and have enjoyed tremendous success over the years. We’re ecstatic to team up with them.”
Boulton said he is excited about putting his team on a country music station after watching the Grammy’s, and the recognition that country music stars received. He specifically mentioned Lady Antebellum who took home five Grammy Awards including song of the year, and record of the year.
Caracciolo admitted that on Long Island they have to do country music a little different.
“Country music to us it’s America, it’s family values, it’s apple pie, it’s hot dogs and it’s baseball. And on Long Island we have to do country music a little different,” Caracciolo said.
The Ducks also unveiled their season-long theme for this season. The slogan is “Long Island is Ducks Country,” which coincides with My Country 96.1.