Nats stay on 3WT for three seasons

The Washington Nationals reached a deal with Bonneville International Corporation that will keep the team’s games on Talk Radio 3WT for at least the next three seasons.

The two sides announced that all regular-season games will continue to be broadcast on AM-1500 and FM-107.7 and that the station will collaborate on new programming as the team moves into its new ballpark next season. Coverage also will include 10 spring training games each season.

The station will bring back “Nationals Talk Live,” a live call-in show tied to Nationals home games, and will have two one-hour editions of “Nationals Weekly Insider,” the first of which will air live from ESPNZone on Tuesday. The second edition will air during spring training. Marc Sterne will be the host of both shows.

Beginning on March 1, 3WT will broadcast “Countdown to Opening Day,” featuring programming tied to the opening of the new stadium.

3WT is heard throughout the Washington area because of its strong 50,000 watt signal. It is known as a talk radio outlet during the day but also airs Washington Capitals, George Washington men’s basketball and Navy football games. The station recently replaced Washington Post Radio, which cut short its contract with Bonneville in September.

The Nationals are in talks to bring back Charlie Slowes and Dave Jageler, who have been the radio voices for the team since 2005 and 2006, respectively.

Meanwhile, the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network confirmed it has offered play-by-play announcer Bob Carpenter a contract extension for the 2008 season.

“We believe Nationals fans will be excited to learn that MASN is looking to bring back Bob Carpenter for next season,” MASN spokesman Todd Webster said.

Carpenter signed a two-year deal with the Nationals in 2006 but was told in September he would not be asked back. It’s unclear why there was a change of heart, though the team and network did receive numerous e-mails and letters voicing support for Carpenter.

In other news, the Nationals announced they hired Kerrick Jackson, who recently completed the organization’s new diversity internship program, as area scouting supervisor. Jackson will oversee all amateur scouting in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma.

The team also hired Marteese Robinson, a former director of professional scouting for the St. Louis Cardinals, as East Coast crosschecker. Robinson takes over for Jeff Zona, who was promoted to special assignment scout.