The crack of the bat sounds different on the radio. It’s cleaner. In North Texas, that sound is a summer staple, right up there with triple-digit heat and the smell of overpriced brisket at the ballpark. If you’re trying to find the Texas Rangers baseball radio broadcast, you aren't just looking for a score; you’re looking for a companion for your commute or a way to stay connected while you're grilling in the backyard.
Listening to the game is a tradition that has survived the rise of streaming and the death of cable.
Honestly, there’s something special about Eric Nadel’s voice. He’s been the soundtrack of Rangers baseball for over four decades. When he says "it’s baseball time in Texas," it’s like a Pavlovian signal for fans to relax. But finding the game isn't always as simple as turning a dial anymore. Between the shift to digital platforms, blackout rules, and the sprawling nature of the Texas Rangers Radio Network, you kinda have to know where to look.
Where to Tune In: The flagship and the Network
The heart of the broadcast is 105.3 The Fan (KRLD-FM) in Dallas-Fort Worth. It’s a powerhouse signal. Usually, if you’re within 50 miles of the Metroplex, you’re golden. But the Rangers’ footprint is massive. We’re talking about a network that stretches from the panhandle down to the valley and even into parts of Oklahoma and Arkansas.
It’s not just one station. It’s a web.
If you are driving down I-35 toward Austin or hitting the backroads near Abilene, the signal might flicker. That’s when the affiliate list matters. There are over 60 stations in the network. Some are tiny AM stations that barely reach the next county, while others are FM giants.
The Voices in Your Ears
Eric Nadel is the Hall of Famer. Literally. He received the Ford C. Frick Award from the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014. His style is descriptive but never cluttered. He leaves room for the game to breathe. Then you’ve got Matt Hicks, who brings a different kind of energy, often handling the play-by-play with a enthusiasm that’s infectious.
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They don't just call the game. They tell a story.
During a blowout in the seventh inning, they might spend ten minutes talking about a local BBQ joint or a weird stat from 1984. That’s the beauty of radio. It’s a conversation. Jared Sandler often joins the mix, providing pre-game insights and post-game breakdowns that satisfy the stat-heads without alienating the casual listener who just wants to know why the bullpen is struggling again.
Digital Streaming and the Blackout Headache
Let’s talk about the internet. You’d think in 2026, you could just click a button and hear the game anywhere. Well, it’s mostly true, but there are hoops.
The Audacy app is the primary home for the Texas Rangers baseball radio broadcast if you are within the local market. It’s free. It’s easy. You download it, search for 105.3 The Fan, and you're in. However, geofencing is a real thing. If the app detects you’re in, say, New York or Seattle, you might get blocked from the live play-by-play because of MLB’s ironclad broadcasting rights.
- MLB At Bat: This is the gold standard for out-of-market fans. For a small annual fee, you get every radio broadcast for every team with no blackouts. It’s the most reliable way to listen if you’ve moved away from Texas but still bleed blue and red.
- SiriusXM: They carry the games, too. Usually, they’ll have both the home and away feeds. If you’re on a long road trip across state lines, this is your best bet to keep the signal steady.
- Smart Speakers: "Alexa, play 105.3 The Fan." Sometimes it works. Sometimes it plays a random podcast from 2019. To be safe, specify "on Audacy" or "on TuneIn" to get the live stream.
Why Radio Still Beats TV for Many Fans
TV is great for seeing the replay of a sliding catch, but radio is for the imagination.
Think about it. On TV, the announcers are often told to be quiet and "let the pictures tell the story." On the radio, the announcer is the picture. They describe the humidity, the way the shadows are creeping across the infield at Globe Life Field, and the specific hitch in a pitcher’s delivery.
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It’s immersive.
Also, it’s portable. You can’t exactly watch a 4K stream while you’re mowing the lawn or working under the hood of a car. Radio fits into the "in-between" moments of life. Plus, there’s no lag—or at least, less lag than some of the choppy illegal streams people try to find online.
The Spanish Broadcast: Béisbol en Español
We can't talk about the Rangers without mentioning the Spanish broadcast. Eleno Ornelas has been a fixture for years. The energy in a Spanish-language broadcast is on another level. Even if your Spanish is rusty, the excitement when a ball clears the fence is universal. You can usually find these broadcasts on KFLC 1270 AM in the DFW area.
It’s an essential part of the team’s identity. Texas is a bilingual state, and the broadcast booth reflects that. It's about community.
Navigating the 162-Game Grind
The MLB season is a marathon. It’s nearly every day for six months. Following the Texas Rangers baseball radio broadcast means you’re committing to a lot of hours.
The schedule matters. Day games on Wednesdays are a godsend for office workers. West Coast swings are the worst for sleep schedules, with games often starting at 8:30 or 9:00 PM Central Time. The radio guys have to stay sharp through it all, even when they’re calling a game in Oakland in front of 2,000 people at midnight Texas time.
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Troubleshooting Your Signal
If you're struggling to hear the game, check these things:
- Atmospheric Interference: AM signals are notorious for this. Power lines, thunderstorms, or even being under a bridge can kill the audio. Switch to the FM affiliate or the app if possible.
- The "Delay" Issue: If you’re at the stadium and trying to listen to the radio, you’ll notice a delay. The digital stream is usually 15-30 seconds behind the live action. If you want real-time audio at the park, you need a cheap, old-school transistor radio that picks up the terrestrial signal.
- App Updates: The Audacy app and MLB app update constantly. If the stream won't load, check for an update. It sounds simple, but it’s usually the culprit.
The Future of Rangers Radio
Everything is moving toward "DTC" or Direct-to-Consumer. We’re seeing regional sports networks go through bankruptcy and restructuring. While the TV side is a mess of blackouts and shifting apps, radio has remained remarkably stable.
The partnership between the Rangers and Audacy seems solid for now. But don't be surprised if more features get tucked behind the MLB At Bat paywall in the coming years. For now, the "over-the-air" broadcast remains one of the last truly free ways to enjoy professional sports.
It’s a link to the past.
When you hear the crowd roar through those tiny speakers, you’re hearing the same thing fans heard in 1972 when the team first moved from Washington. The technology changes, but the cadence of the game doesn't.
Actionable Steps for Fans
To ensure you never miss a pitch, set yourself up before the next series starts.
- Download the Audacy App: Register for a free account so your preferences stay saved. Favoriting "105.3 The Fan" will put the game one tap away.
- Check the Affiliate Map: If you live outside DFW, go to the official Texas Rangers website and look for the "Radio Network" page. Find the specific frequency for your town—it’s often different from what you’d expect.
- Invest in a Pocket Radio: If you attend games at Globe Life Field, a small radio with headphones lets you hear Eric Nadel’s expert analysis without the annoying digital lag of a smartphone.
- Sync the Audio: If you hate the TV announcers but love the TV picture, use a "radio delay" device or app to sync the 105.3 feed with your television broadcast. It takes some fiddling, but it’s the ultimate viewing experience.
Stop relying on social media refreshes for score updates. Get the audio going, hear the crowd, and let the broadcast take you through all nine innings. Whether the Rangers are defending a World Series title or rebuilding for the future, the radio is where the real heart of the fandom lives.