By: Ken Lipshez
[url=http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18176730&BRD=1641&PAG=461&dept_id\
=17739&rfi=6]New
Britain Herald Press[/url]

NEW BRITAIN - The days leading up to the beginning of the Eastern League
season are always chaotic for New Britain Rock Cats broadcasting director
Jeff Dooley.

One minute he's checking to see if the team's media guide - one that
rivals the best in minor league baseball - is ready to go. Without missing
a beat, he's reviewing his broadcast log sheet so that every second of his
production is mapped out.

He checks his watch. It's almost time to don a suit and tie because he has
to emcee the annual Elks Club Dinner. The phone rings and it's one of his
broadcast interns, who he guides through opening-day apprehension.

Everything is done with the same meticulous work ethic, and that's why the
Rock Cats Radio Network has grown from an afterthought to a
smooth-functioning production that can be heard from the shores of Long
Island Sound to the upper reaches of northern New England.

"I remember when our games were on one station in Southington and to think
that we now have five affiliates in two different states covering the two
major New England markets of Hartford and Springfield," said Dooley, who
will have to sit tight to begin his 10th season as voice of the Rock Cats
due to unstable weather in New Hampshire. "It is further evidence of the
growing popularity of the Rock Cats."

The network's unprecedented growth has gone hand-in-hand with the
involvement of the Buckley Radio Network and its Hartford-based flagship
station, WDRC-1360 AM. Buckley's AM affiliates in Meriden (WMMW-1470),
Waterbury (WWCO-1240) and Torrington (WSNG-610) project Dooley's voice
virtually all over the state.

The Hartford, Meriden and Torrington stations carry all 142 of the Rock
Cats' regular-season games. The Waterbury station fits the Rock Cats in
when it's not carrying the Yankees.

This year, Dooley has added WMAS-1450 AM of Springfield every Thursday
through Sunday and for all games against the Red Sox's Double-A affiliate,
the Portland Sea Dogs.

Rock Cats president and CEO Bill Dowling attributes much of the Rock Cats'
growth to the radio network's prowess.

"The wide-ranging coverage provided by Buckley Radio is one of the major
reasons for the Rock Cats' growing success over the last six years,"
Dowling said. "This network has allowed our fans from greater Hartford to
follow their team on a daily basis throughout the entire season.

"Buckley Radio has provided tremendous coverage for us throughout central
Connecticut and we are absolutely delighted to have them back for 2007. We
are also very pleased that western Massachusetts fans will now be able to
listen to our games on WMAS."

Buckley Radio is equally pleased by the mileage its received from the Rock
Cats' growing status.

"We are very happy to be back with the Rock Cats for the 2007 season,"
Buckley general manager Wayne Mulligan said. "Buckley Radio is proud to be
part of an enterprise that provides such enjoyable family entertainment to
the baseball fans of Connecticut."

Dooley will be joined on home broadcasts for the eighth straight season by
Buckley Radio personality Dan Lovallo, host of a popular afternoon talk
show on the stations known as the Talk of Connecticut. Each broadcast will
be preceded by a 30-minute pregame show. The 20-minute postgame show
recaps the game and provides scores from around the Eastern and major
leagues.

Game snowed out

The Nor'easter that drenched Connecticut Wednesday dumped enough snow on
northern New England that even the Zambonis at the nearby hockey arena
could not save the scheduled Eastern League opener between the New Britain
Rock Cats and New Hampshire Fisher Cats.

The teams will try again tonight (6:35 p.m.) to give it a go. Righthander
Nick Blackburn is slated to start for the Rock Cats while lefty David
Purcey goes for New Hampshire.

04/06/2007