Courtesy The Southern

(May 7, 2009) The Southern Illinois Miners and Withers Broadcasting announced the formation of a radio network that will bring Miners' baseball to virtually all of Southern Illinois for the next five years. The announcement was made Wednesday at Rent One Park.

"We've talked about this kind of thing from the moment we started the Miners and how we wanted to regionalize the team and how it was important for us to be strong in Marion, but also in Mount Vernon, Harrisburg, Paducah and Cape Girardeau," said Miners' vice-president Erik Haag.

Russ Withers, owner of Withers Broadcasting, said Miners games will be heard anywhere "south of I-70."

"If there is a spot where you can't pick up the Miners, then move," he said with a laugh.

The Southern Illinois Miners Radio Network will not only include the current Withers' affiliate, WQUL-FM (97.7), but also stations in Centralia (WRXX-FM, 95.3), Harrisburg (WEBQ-AM, 1240), Paducah (WRJJ-FM, 104.1); and Cape Girardeau (KJXX-AM, 1170).

"We talked with the Miners this winter about what they would like to do, and it coincided very well with what we wanted to do," Withers said.

The network is similar to the deal Withers put together for Southern Illinois University sports.

"It was pretty simple, we were talking about how we regionalized this team, and it kind of clicked for both of us," Haag said. "There was nothing really difficult about it."

"It's a normal sports affiliation agreement," Withers said. "I have eight Cardinals affiliates, so I've seen a ton of those affiliation agreements. Either party will have the right to get out at reasonable intervals. It's a marriage and we think it's going to be a great one."

Scott Giermann will return as the play-by-play voice of the Miners.

Withers' interest was piqued last year when the Miners drew 2,500 fans to an exhibition game in Paducah.

"If you build it, they will come," Withers said. "There are people who aren't as familiar with the Miners as they will be, not only as the season progresses, but as the years go on. A base will be built."

"I think it shows there is a demand for Miners baseball, not only in Marion, but in the region," Haag said.

The Miners first exhibition game, Saturday at Cape Girardeau, will be carried on the network. The game begins at 7:05 p.m.