By Craig Pearson, Tribune Star

Click to Read Story on www.tribstar.com

The reigning Prospect League champions will be on the radio airwaves in 2016 as the Terre Haute Rex agreed to a broadcast partnership with 99.5 FM and 1130 AM The Fan.

All 60 regular-season games and potential playoff games will be called by play-by-play voice Jerry Arnold, who has spent the last three years calling the action for an online audience.

“We’ll still be online. We’ll have players whose hometowns as far as Puerto Rico, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic and families around the country can listen,” Arnold said.

Rex general manager Bruce Rosselli expects the broadcast to serve an already loyal fan base, while attracting some new baseball fans in the Wabash Valley to visit Bob Warn Field.

“It’s my hope for Rex fans hearing the crack of the bat on their radio will bring back those days of summer listening to America’s pastime, and encourage them to attend a Rex game in person to experience all the fun,” Rosselli said.

Rex manager Bobby Segal will look to repeat last year’s record success. The team won a Prospect League record 43 games in the regular-season in 2015.

Arnold will go on-air for a 15-minute pre-game show prior to each game. There will be a transmitter on site that ensures there will not be a digital delay for those fans who would like to listen in while sitting in the stands.

Arnold, a 46-year broadcasting veteran, has enjoyed seeing all the individual stories of college players in the league. He’s also enjoyed seeing how the league is embraced in the different communities around the league, which spans from Missouri to West Virginia.

“Our attendance went up last year. A crowd of 5,500 saw the Rex vs. Dans last year at Danville Stadium. That's great. Not just Terre Haute, but all the local teams,” Arnold said.

The Lafayette Aviators, who will play at Loeb Stadium, are the newest expansion team. That makes four teams in Indiana following the addition of the Kokomo Jackrabbits in 2015.

“Rex season ticket holders can attend games for free at Danville, Lafayette and Kokomo,” Arnold pointed out. “That’s encouraging some travel. It’s great for all the communities.”

The Rex home opener is June 1 against the Hannibal Cavemen. The season begins May 26 at Chillicothe.