Courtesy Savannah Sand Gnats

(January 28, 2009) The Savannah Sand Gnats and STAR 1400 AM have entered into an agreement to broadcast all 140 games for the upcoming 2009 season, the team announced Tuesday. This marks the first time in recent history that Sand Gnats baseball will be broadcast over the airwaves.

“This agreement means a lot to the team and to our fans,” said Sand Gnats President R.C. Reuteman. “The radio broadcast will allow us to be more accessible to the community and allow our fans to follow the action when they cannot get to the ballpark or when the team is on the road. This is one of the many changes that fans will be seeing this season and in seasons to come as we continue to look for ways to improve ourselves.”

“We are also excited to be partnering with STAR 1400,” Reuteman continued, “STAR 1400 has one of the strongest signals in the Coastal Empire and, as the broadcast partner of the Atlanta Falcons and now the Sand Gnats, STAR 1400 has established itself as the region’s live sports leader.”

The agreement calls for the broadcast of all 140 regular season games as well as any post-season games the Sand Gnats play. Games will be broadcast live on STAR 1400 AM with a 15-mintue pregame show and 10-minute postgame show. All games will also be simulcast on the internet at www.star1400.com.

“We are extremely excited about working with the Sand Gnats and broadcasting their games this season,” said Gary Marmitt, Owner and General Manager of STAR 1400. “The Sand Gnats have built a great organization and we are thrilled to be associated with them.”

Mike Passanisi, the voice of the Sand Gnats during the 2008 season, will be the on-air voice of the Sand Gnats in 2009. Passanisi served as the team’s lead broadcaster in 2008 on www.sandgnats.com after serving as the team’s No. 2 broadcaster in 2007. Prior to his work in Savannah, the 25-year-old Passanisi served as the No. 2 broadcaster of the San Diego Surf Dawgs of the Golden Baseball League.

“I’m elated to have the Sand Gnats games broadcast throughout Savannah and the Coastal Empire,” Passanisi said. “This radio agreement is great for the Sand Gnats and also for the Savannah community because it will allow them to better connect with their hometown team.”

Savannah opens its 25th season of South Atlantic League baseball on April 9 versus the Augusta GreenJackets. The first game of the year is a Thirsty Thursday contest, which will be followed by postgame fireworks. Season tickets and mini plans are on sale now. For a complete schedule and more information, visit www.sandgnats.com or call 912.351.9150. Listen live to all 140 Sand Gnats games in 2009 on STAR 1400 AM, your home for Sand Gnats baseball.