(SUNRISE, FL) – Fox Sports Net Florida, the cable television home of 99 live Florida Marlins game telecasts in 2002, will bring baseball fans throughout the state a comprehensive lineup of exclusive programming this season dedicated entirely to the Marlins.
Fox Sports Net's coverage of the 2002 Florida Marlins season begins Monday, March 18 at 1:00pm with the first of three live Spring Training game telecasts from Space Coast Stadium in Melbourne, as the team hosts the New York Mets. Fox Sports Net will also televise exhibition match-ups against Los Angeles on Saturday, March 23 at 1:00pm and Baltimore on Wednesday, March 27 at 6:00pm. New play-by-play voice Len Kasper will call the action with Tommy Hutton providing analysis for all three Spring Training games and 96 regular season games televised on Fox Sports Net Florida.
Craig Minervini, entering his first season on Fox Sports Net's Marlins telecasts, provides a special behind-the-scenes look at the team with the 2002 FLORIDA MARLINS PREVIEW. Minervini goes one-on-one with Jeff Torborg to get thoughts and predictions for his first season managing the club and visits with new General Manager Larry Beinfest. The 2002 FLORIDA MARLINS PREVIEW airs from 7:30 – 8:00pm Friday, March 22 only on Fox Sports Net Florida.
Minervini makes his regular season debut on Fox Sports Net Tuesday, April 2 at 6:30pm as the host of MARLINS ON DECK, a 30-minute show that airs prior to all regular season game telecasts. Offering a unique perspective with pre-game insight and analysis, MARLINS ON DECK can be found exclusively on Fox Sports Net Florida.
Returning to Fox Sports Net's comprehensive schedule of Marlins programming is MARLINS WEEKLY. Hosted by Craig Minervini, this 30-minute weekly highlight show is designed to bring viewers an insider's perspective on the Marlins organization. Fans can catch up with their favorite players and club management each Sunday at 9:00am beginning April 7 on MARLINS WEEKLY.
Fox Sports Net Florida is once again the exclusive home of MARLINS STRIKE ZONE, a weekly half-hour baseball program for children of all ages. MARLINS STRIKE ZONE, hosted by Miami native Stephanie "Stephie" Bercuson, provides baseball fans with light-hearted look at the world of Marlins baseball. Players, coaches, and mascot "Billy the Marlin" all join Stephie in sharing baseball fundamentals and the humorous side of the game. MARLINS STRIKE ZONE airs every Saturday at 10:00am throughout the baseball season beginning April 6.
Fox Sports Net will produce and televise an All-Star special and a post-season wrap up special dedicated to the Marlins. Airdates and times for these programs are to be announced.
Fox Sports Net Florida reaches more than 3.9 million households in Florida. Fox Sports Net Florida is managed by Rainbow Sports Networks, a division of Cablevision's Rainbow Media Holdings, Inc. Fox Sports Net Florida's programming includes Major League Baseball's Florida Marlins and Tampa Bay Devil Rays; the National Hockey League's Florida Panthers; the University of Miami, and the University of South Florida, along with select NASCAR and PGA Tour coverage.
Fox Sports Net reaches more than 78 million households nationwide and is a service of National Sports Partners, equally owned by Cablevision's Rainbow Media Holdings, Inc. and Fox. Rainbow Sports Networks incorporates Rainbow's 50% ownership of Fox Sports Net and Fox Sports National Advertising, and the ownership and management of Fox Sports Net regional networks in five of the nation's largest markets: Chicago, Florida, Ohio, New England and San Francisco.