Bats Outfielder Rey Volunteers at Youth Clinic

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DAYTONA, FLORIDA — Just before departing for Spring Training, Louisville Bats outfielder Brian Rey volunteered at a youth baseball clinic in Daytona.

Rey worked with the youth ballplayers on fundamentals during the camp on March 2, but when he addressed the group after the workout, he stressed the importance of having fun while learning baseball.

“As you guys learn this game some of this could get frustrating,” Rey told the youth players. “(Eventually) you will get the hang of it, I promise…but the number one thing for you guys right now is to have fun.”

[WATCH THE FULL VIDEO HERE]

Rey made his Triple-A debut with the Bats on Sept. 29 last season and logged five hits with three RBIs in four games. Following the regular season, he starred in the Winter League in Puerto Rico, hitting .362 with a .455 OBP in 14 games for the Indios De Mayaguez

Job Fair Feb. 26 at Slugger Field

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The Louisville Bats are hosting a job fair for game-day positions for the 2022 baseball season! Earn some extra cash or pick up College credit while spending your summer at the ballpark with our exciting game-day opportunities!

The job fair will be hosted at Louisville Slugger Field on Saturday, Feb. 26 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the Hall of Fame. Hiring managers for available positions will be on-site for the event and are looking for qualified candidates to work across a variety of positions this summer.

The available positions include but are not limited to:

  • Bat Boys
  • Ushers
  • Game-Day Promo Team (Pepsi Squad)
  • Concessions positions with Centerplate

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CLICK HERE FOR A COMPLETE LISTING OF AVAILABLE POSITIONS

(Attendees are asked to park in the East Parking Lot to enter the ballpark for the Job Fair)

The Nine: 5 Impactful Players In Louisville Franchise History

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LOUISVILLE, KY – As part of The Nine outreach initiative, Minor League Baseball teams are featuring a list of standout players from each team’s all-time franchise history. Below are five impactful Louisville alumni and several highlights from their tenure with the team:

1. Deion Sanders

Best Louisville Season (2001): 19 games, .459 average, 10 XBH, 6 SB, .494 OBP
Career Highlights: 4x finished 2nd in NL in stolen bases, led NL in triples in 1992

Sanders, better known as “Primetime,” starred in both the National Football League and Major League Baseball during his pro career. The former Bats outfielder scored the franchise’s first ever run at Louisville Slugger Field during the 2000 season and went on to hit at an impressive .459 clip during the 2001 campaign.

2. Billy Hamilton

Best Louisville Season (2013): 123 games, .256 average, 28 XBH, 41 RBI, 75 SB
Career Highlights: 2014 NL Rookie of the Month (June), 2014 Baseball America Major League All-Rookie Team

Speedster Hamilton stole a Minor League Baseball record-setting 155 bases in 2012 prior to his full season with the Bats in 2013. He continued his impressive pace with 75 additional steals for Louisville in 2013, which finished as nearly double the next-closest amount by any International League player that year. Hamilton ultimately earned both Mid and Postseason All-Star selections with the Bats and was named a Futures Game selection for the second straight year.

3. Hunter Greene

Best Louisville Season (2021): 14 starts, 4.13 ERA, 79 SO/65.1IP
Career Highlights: Selected second overall by Cincinnati in 2017, Rated Top 5 prospect in Reds system by Baseball American from 2018-22, 3x Top 100 prospect by BA

Greene burst onto the scene with a 100+ MPH fastball that dazzled scouts at showcases and flummoxed opponents on the diamond. He dominated at the Double-A level to open the 2021 season to rank second in all of Minor League Baseball in both wins and strikeouts en route to his first promotion to the Triple-A level. He unleashed a 104 MPH pitch against the Omaha Storm Chasers in his debut and went on to cap his first Triple-A stint with 79 strikeouts over 65.1 innings of work.

4. Dmitri Young

Best Louisville Season (1996): 122 games, .333 average, 54 XBH, 90 R, 16 SB
Career Highlights: Member of 1995 Louisville Redbirds American Association Championship team, 2003 AL All-Star, 2007 NL All-Star, 2007 NL Comeback Player of the Year

Nicknamed “the Meat Hook,” Young was a member of the Louisville Redbirds 1995 American Association championship team before becoming a standout and both mid and postseason All-Star with Louisville during the 1996 campaign. Following several productive years in the Majors between St. Louis, Cincinnati and Detroit, Young earned his second and final MLB All-Star selection of his career in 2007 by boasting a .320 average and 51 extra-base hits over 136 games with Washington.

5. Didi Gregorius

Best Louisville Season (2012): 48 games, .243 average, 25 R, 19 XBH, .981 FPCT
Career Highlights: 2018 AL Player of the Month (April), AL Player of the Week (2018), 2016 Yankees Heart and Hustle Award

The slick-fielding Gregorius converted 209 of his 2013 chances in the field between shortstop and second base with the Bats in 2012, registering a solid .981 fielding percentage while holding down the middle infield for Louisville. He went on to fill the huge shoes of Hall of Famer Derek Jeter at shortstop for the New York Yankees and was rewarded with the team’s Heart and Hustle Award for the 2016 campaign.

Bats Join MiLB In Launch Of “The Nine” Outreach Program

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LOUISVILLE, KY. – The Louisville Bats, in conjunction with Minor League Baseball, today announced the team will be at the forefront of a nation-wide outreach program to help connect Black communities to baseball. The new program, “The Nine,” will feature local outreach initiatives from 60 participating teams across Minor League Baseball during the 2022 season.

Named for the number Jackie Robinson wore during his only season playing in MiLB with the Triple-A Montreal Royals in 1946, The Nine will connect MiLB teams’ existing, Black-community focused development efforts with new national programming and future special events in a coordinated and centralized campaign. The new inclusion initiative follows MiLB’s Copa de la Diversión Latino fan engagement platform introduced in 2017 that included 76 MiLB teams in 2021.

The Bats initiatives for The Nine during the 2022 season will include:

  1. Dedicating a memorial at Eastern Cemetery for Felton Snow, a former baseball player for the Louisville Black Caps and Louisville White Sox of the Negro Southern League. The Bats, Louisville’s chapter of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR), Louisville Urban League and Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory will help host a special recognition ceremony for the dedication later this season.
  2. The Bats front office staff will completely renovate two youth baseball fields at Shawnee Park this March. All labor will be volunteers and the Bats’ staff will be joined by participants from the Louisville Sports Commission and HUMANA.
  3. Continuing the “Playing it Forward” initiative with item drives for youth sports equipment during the 2022 baseball season. The Bats have partnered with Humana and Louisville Sports Commission each of the last three years for the campaign, working to provide new or gently-used youth baseball or softball equipment to low-and moderate-income families.
  4. Paying tribute and honoring the history of the former Negro League teams of Louisville on Friday, Sept. 2 vs. Indianapolis.

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For additional information on The Nine, visit MiLB.com.

Black History Month: A Look at the Top Five Black Players in Hot Rods History

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In celebration of Black History Month, throughout February, teams across Minor League Baseball are taking a look back at five of the best Black players to suit up for their club.

While some of these standout performers went onto long and illustrious Major League careers, others simply had great Minor League careers or, in some cases, just one incredible season that went down as “a year for the ages.”

Here is a look at five of the best Black baseball players ever to suit up for the Bowling Green Hot Rods.

TIM BECKHAM

Photo courtesy of Brian Bissell/FutureStarPhotos.com

The first overall selection of the 2008 MLB Draft, Tim Beckham joined the Hot Rods in 2009, as part of the inaugural team. In his first full season, the 19 year old held his own.

Not only the holder of the Hot Rods’ first hit, but also the first home run, Beckham batted .275 with 33 doubles, four triples, five home runs and 63 RBI in 125 games for Bowling Green and quickly worked his way up to making his Major League debut with the Rays in 2013. In his Major League career, Beckham batted .249 with 75 doubles, 63 home runs, 198 RBI and 402 hits in 472 games for the Rays, Orioles, and Mariners.

Beckham was a South Atlantic League Mid-and-Post-Season All-Star with the Hot Rods in 2009 while also representing the Rays as part of Team USA in 2011 during the Futures Game at MLB All-Star Weekend.

ANDREW TOLES

Photo courtesy Emily Jones/MiLB.com

Andrew Toles joined the Rays organization after being taken in the third round of the 2012 MLB Draft.

After getting his feet wet in affiliated baseball that season, Toles joined the Hot Rods for his first full-season of baseball in 2013. All he did was hit. In 121 games that season, Toles hit .326 with 169 hits, 35 doubles, 16 triples, two home runs, and 57 RBI, while also adding 62 stolen bases. Toles made his Major League debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2016, and played with the team for parts of three season before stepping away from baseball. In his Major League career, Toles hit .286 with 66 hits, 14 doubles, one triple, eight home runs, and 35 RBI.

Toles’ name is all over the record books here in Bowling Green, where his .326 batting average in 2013 is the best for a batter with 300+ plate appearances in team history, as are his 169 hits during that season. His 62 stolen bases are the most in Hot Rods history, 19 more than second (Vidal Brujan). Toles also has the single-season mark in total bases with 242, at-bats (519), and triples (16). He also ranks in the top-10 in doubles (35), plate appearances (552), Runs (79), and slugging percentage (.466). Due to his tremendous 2013 campaign, Toles was named a Midwest League Mid-and-Post-Season All-Star, a Topps Class-A All-Star, a MiLB.com Organization All-Star, and the Rays’ Minor League Player of the Year.

JUSTIN WILLIAMS

PHOTO CREDIT STEVE ROBERTS/BOWLING GREEN HOT RODS
Steve Roberts/Bowling Green Hot Rods

The Rays acquired Williams in a 2014 trade that sent Jeremy Hellickson to the Arizona Diamondbacks. The following season, Williams joined the Hot Rods, manning right field.

Even though he only spent two-thirds of the season with the Hot Rods, Williams quickly proved why the Rays acquired him. Williams hit .284 with 25 doubles, two triples, seven home runs, and 42 RBI in 99 games before being promoted to High-A Port Charlotte.

Williams made his Major League debut with the Rays in 2018, before being traded to the St. Louis Cardinals. Across parts of three seasons with the two clubs, Williams has hit .160 with four home runs and 11 RBI in 55 career games.

GREG JONES

PHOTO CREDIT STEVE ROBERTS/BOWLING GREEN HOT RODS
Steve Roberts/Bowling Green Hot Rods

Selected 22nd overall out of UNC-Wilmington in the 2019 MLB Draft, Greg Jones wowed during his 2021 season with the Hot Rods.

The speedy switch-hitter only played 56 games with the club, but it was 56 games of highlights and energy. Jones hit .291 with seven doubles, four triples, 13 home runs, and 38 RBI, while also swiping 27 bases. Despite his August 10th promotion, Jones finished the season tied for the third most steals in the High-A East. Perhaps the most memorable moment of his Hot Rods career, Jones hit an 11th inning, walk-off grand slam to beat the Asheville Tourists 7-3, a home run that was capitalized by an emphatic bat flip.

Jones was promoted to Montgomery midway through the 2021 season, but the future is bright for the young phenom. MLB Pipeline has Jones as the Rays 5th overall prospect, whereas Baseball America has him as the Rays 6th overall prospect, Jones has the talent to be a bonafide Major League Baseball player for years to come.

During his 2021 season, Jones was an MiLB.com Organizational All-Star, as well as being named the Tampa Bay Rays Minor League Baserunner of the year.

TAJ BRADLEY

PHOTO CREDIT GUNNAR WORD/BOWLING GREEN HOT RODS
Gunnar Word/Bowling Green Hot Rods

One of the youngest players in the 2018 MLB Draft, the Rays selected Bradley in the 5th round out of Redan High School in Stone Mountain, Georgia.

Even though he was promoted from Charleston to the Hot Rods on August 3rd of 2021, the 20-year-old right hander was dominant. With the Hot Rods, Bradley posted a 1.96 ERA with 42 strikeouts in 36 2/3 innings, picking up three wins in his eight starts with the club.

But it’s what Bradley did across both levels that is even more impressive. Posting a 1.83 overall ERA with 123 strikeouts in 103 1/3 total innings for Charleston and Bowling Green. His ERA was the lowest among all Minor Leaguers to complete at least 100 innings in 2021, while his .180 opponent’s batting average ranked sixth among all pitchers in that group.

MLB Pipeline has Bradley as the Rays 6th overall prospect, whereas Baseball America has him as the ranked 56 on their list of Top 100 Prospects, in addition to listing him as the Rays 4th overall prospect. Bradley has proven with his arsenal of pitches that he is a force to be reckoned with.

After the 2021 season, Bradley was named a Baseball America Minor League All-Star, an MiLB.com Organizational All-Star, and won a MiLBY for Top Starting Pitcher.

Hot Rods Set Up Tornado Relief Auction Online

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Bowling Green, Kentucky–The Bowling Green Hot Rods, in conjunction with Major League Baseball, have announced the team will hold a special online auction to aid in relief efforts across South-Central Kentucky. The auction will feature many items and experiences donated from around baseball with 100% of the proceeds staying local to help the Bowling Green community rebuild.

“Our staff and stadium are fine, but just a little over a mile from the ballpark is completely devastated,” Hot Rods GM/COO Eric C. Leach said in a letter to other Minor League Baseball teams earlier this week. “Over 500 homes and 100+ businesses have been destroyed, and sadly (multiple) deaths from the storms have been confirmed. Our goal now is to serve our community in the best way possible, and this is where we need your help!“

The baseball community responded in droves to Leach’s call for action. Autographs from baseball Hall of Famers like Cal Ripken Jr. and Joe Torre will be available for bidding as well as signatures from others around entertainment like Bill Murray. Others have donated things like special experiences for events and non-baseball-related items. All proceeds from the auction will stay in the community thanks to partnerships with the Stuff the Bus Foundation of Southern Kentucky and the Warren County Public Schools Synergy Relief Fund.

Those looking to bid on items can do so through the Hot Rods website over a 10-day period beginning Thursday when the auction goes live.

On Friday, December 17, Blood Assurance will be conducting a blood drive at Bowling Green Ballpark. Those who wish to donate can sign up online here. Limited spots are available.

*### *

BGStrong

Greene Donates Thousands of New Cleats to Youth Players

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LOS ANGELES – Louisville Bats star pitcher Hunter Greene gave away 3,000 pairs of new baseball cleats (each valued around $100) to local kids and high school baseball players near his hometown in Los Angeles.

“I’m doing this because I have the platform to be able to give back,” Greene told CBS LA on Saturday (Nov. 27). “It’s important to spread the love, be able to provide kids with the best resources, the best equipment… Especially with the pandemic and COVID last year, it was really hard for families to put their money together and get the best of the best for their children. If I can help with that and make the kids feel special, that’s the ultimate goal. And I’m happy and proud to do that.”

View the full story/video here:

https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2021/11/27/baseball-pitcher-hunter-greene-gives-away-thousands-of-cleats-to-kids-in-pacoima

Greene also previously donated new baseball equipment to the Kentucky Diamonds (a youth baseball program which provides sports opportunities for youth minorities who may otherwise be unable to afford them) in a postgame ceremony at Louisville Slugger Field in September. The baseball club publicly thanked Greene in a Facebook post here:

https://www.facebook.com/KYDiamondsBaseball/posts/939467600116670

Greene made his Triple-A debut with the Bats in 2021, finishing 5-8 with a 4.13 ERA and 79 strikeouts in 14 starts. He is currently ranked by MLB.com as the Cincinnati Reds’ No. 1 overall prospect.

Trick-Or-Treat At Louisville Slugger Field

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LOUISVILLE, KY – The Louisville Bats are treating families to a night of Halloween fun at Louisville Slugger Field for the first-ever Trick-or-Treat at the Ballpark on Friday, Oct. 22 from 6:30 – 10 p.m. The holiday festivities will include trick-or-treating on the concourse, a costume contest with prizes for both kids and adults and a screening of the Halloween classic “Hocus Pocus” on Louisville Slugger Field’s giant, high-definition video board.

Trick-or-Treat at the Ballpark is free to attend for kids ages 12 and under and just $5 for each accompanying adult. Tickets can be purchased in advance at batsbaseball.com or in-person at the Box Office window upon arrival to the ballpark.

The event offers the opportunity to trick-or-treat in a fun, safe and family-friendly environment. The Bats will have trick-or-treating stations set up around the concourse and participating sponsors will provide treats for trick-or-treaters as families make their way around the ballpark throughout the evening.

While trick-or-treating, fans can stop by the Suite Lobby behind Section 115 to register for the evening’s costume contest. Registration must be completed by 7:30 p.m. and the Bats will announce winners for best costume (adult), best costume (child), best couple costume, scariest costume and funniest costume at 8 p.m. Each winner will receive a special trophy and limited-edition Bats Prize Pack.

Following the costume contest, fans are invited to grab seats in the park for a screening of the Halloween classic “Hocus Pocus” (rated PG). Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis on the outfield grass and within the stadium-bowl seating area (chair-back seats). The movie is scheduled to run from 8 – 10 p.m.

Concessions will be open throughout the evening on the concourse. Available items and pricing will be consistent with a normal Louisville Bats game day.

Visit batsbaseball.com or email [email protected] for additional information.

MiLB To Donate $50 Per Bats Home Run To Boys & Girls Club Of Kentuckiana

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LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Minor League Baseball™ (MiLB™) today announced the creation of a charitable component to the 10-game Triple-A Final Stretch of games that will benefit 501(c)3 charities in each Triple-A city.

For each home run hit by Triple-A teams (home and road games) during the Triple-A Final Stretch, Minor League Baseball will donate $50 per home run to a local charity selected by the team. The team hitting the most home runs over the 10-game span will generate an extra $5,000 donation for their charity.

The Louisville Bats have selected the Boys & Girls Club of Kentuckiana as the beneficiary for donations.

The Bats begin their 10-game Final Stretch Wednesday against the Toledo Mud Hens (Triple-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers) at 1 p.m. at Louisville Slugger Field. The team’s Final Stretch includes a five-game series vs. Toledo (Sept. 22-26) and at Columbus (Sept. 29 – Oct. 3).

“Minor League Baseball teams have long been great community partners, and we are pleased to make a donation to each of these local charities on behalf of our Triple-A teams for their performance during the Triple-A Final Stretch,” said Major League Baseball’s Vice President, Minor League Operations and Development, Peter Woodfork. “These charities provide a variety of valuable services to their community, and it is our honor to recognize their efforts.”

Strike Out Cancer Night, Remembrance of 9/11 Set for Second Half of Homestand

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LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Louisville Bats’ 12-game homestand rolls on with five games against the Indianapolis Indians (Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates) at Louisville Slugger Field from Sept. 8 – 12. The series is highlighted by Strike Out Cancer Night with specialty jerseys and a postgame fireworks show on Friday, Sept. 10 and a Remembrance of 9/11 with patriotic-themed uniforms and several pregame ceremonies honoring first responders on Saturday, Sept. 11.

**NOTE: SATURDAY’S GAME TIME IS 1 P.M.**

[BUY TICKETS HERE]

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 8 || First pitch, 6:30 p.m. (Gates 5:30 p.m.)

Sluggerita Wednesday
Presented by Number JUAN Tequila

THURSDAY, SEPT. 9 || First pitch, 6:30 p.m. (Gates 5:30 p.m.)

Pride Night (A portion of ticket proceeds will benefit Louisville Pride Foundation, Derby City Pride League or Queer Kentucky. Click HERE for additional information).

Thirsty Thursday, Live Music
Presented by Miller Lite, Coors Lite, the Kentucky Lottery & iHeart Radio

FRIDAY, SEPT. 10 || First pitch, 7 p.m. (Gates 6 p.m.)

Strike Out Cancer Night with Specialty Jerseys
Sponsored by UofL Health and the Brown Cancer Center

Final Postgame Fireworks Show of Season
Sponsored by Lucas Oil

Family Four Pack (sponsored by Republic Bank), Atrium Brewing Ticket Package
Presented by Jack Daniels Country Cocktails, Meijer, Cattleman’s Roadhouse and Campbellsville University

Scout Night with Boy Scout Campout (Boy Scouts will have an overnight campout in the outfield grass at Louisville Slugger Field)

SATURDAY, SEPT. 11 || First pitch, 1 p.m. (Gates 12 p.m.)

Remembrance of 9/11 with Patriotic-Themed Jerseys, On-Field Flag Display, Color Guard by LMPD, Singing of National Anthem & “God Bless America” by LMPD representatives — *$4 and $6 tickets available for first responders and their families by using coupon code “HEROES”

“Party at the Park” Presented by Old 502 Winery, Fall City Craft Beer, Against the Grain, Smithworks Seltzer & Great Clips

SUNDAY, SEPT. 12 || First pitch, 1 p.m. (Gates 12 p.m.)

Kids Eat Free, Postgame Kids Run the Bases
Presented by Meijer, Pepsi & YMCA

Top Prospect RHP Hunter Greene Scheduled Start

Bats To Host Peanut Allergy Awareness Night Tuesday, Aug. 31

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LOUISVILLE, KY. – The Louisville Bats are hosting Peanut Allergy Awareness Night to open their upcoming homestand on Tuesday, Aug. 31 against the Nashville Sounds (Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers) at Louisville Slugger Field. To provide a safe environment for families and children with peanut allergies, no peanuts, peanut-related products or items made with nut ingredients will be sold or permitted at Louisville Slugger Field throughout the entire game.

[BUY TICKETS HERE]

Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and first pitch for the Bats and Sounds is 6:30 p.m.

Louisville Slugger Field will be completely pressure washed by the team’s cleaning crew to ensure a peanut-free experience for fans. This promotion will allow fans – especially families with younger children – the opportunity to enjoy baseball at a Bats game without experiencing symptoms of peanut allergies.

Tuesday night’s game is also $1 Menu Night with chips, hot dogs, popcorn and Pepsi products available for just $1 each throughout the game, courtesy of Meijer, Pepsi and iHeart Radio.

Top prospect Hunter Greene is expected to start for the Bats Tuesday against the Sounds.

For additional information, contact the Bats front office at [email protected] or (502) 212-2287.

Bats Team Up With Humana, UPS & LSC For “Playing It Forward” Item Drive

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LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Louisville Bats have partnered with Humana, Louisville Sports Commission (LSC) and UPS to host an item drive for the “Playing it Forward” initiative during Thursday’s (Aug. 12) game against the Nashville Sounds (Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers) at 6:30 p.m. at Louisville Slugger Field. Fans who donate new or gently-used youth sports equipment will receive a voucher for a FREE hot dog and Pepsi product to be used during Thursday’s Bats game.

Donations can be made at any of the four gates to Louisville Slugger Field upon entrance to the ballpark Thursday. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and first pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.

The Playing It Forward initiative is designed to provide new or gently-used youth baseball or softball equipment to low-and moderate-income families, with the goal of eliminating the cost of equipment as a potential barrier to participation in organized sports.

The Bats, Humana and LSC also previously teamed up in April for the first item drive of the 2021 season. Fans generously donated sports equipment during the Bats’ Open House event and were treated to an intrasquad scrimmage between members of the Cincinnati Reds’ Alternate Training Site team at Louisville Slugger Field.

For additional information on LSC, visit louisvillesports.org.

Fans can purchase tickets to Thursday’s game by clicking HERE.

Bats to Host Youth Sports Equipment Drive & Holiday Open House

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Louisville, KY – The Louisville Bats are partnering with Humana and the Louisville Sports Commission (LSC) this holiday season to host “Playing It Forward”, a used sports equipment collection drive on Saturday, December 5 & Sunday, December 6 from 10 AM – 2 PM at Louisville Slugger Field.

Playing It Forward is designed to provide new and/or gently used youth baseball or softball equipment to low-and moderate-income kids and help eliminate the cost of equipment as a barrier to participate in organized sports. By removing this barrier, the LSC will help nearly 100 Louisville-area kids participate in sports in their own neighborhoods as a means to experience physical activity.

“The Bats are thrilled to partner with Humana and the Louisville Sports Commission to help make possible such an impactful initiative. With so many young people in need of proper sports equipment, we’re asking our fans to donate so that we can all help make a difference in the lives of the youth in our community,” says Team President Vic Gregovits.

Walk-up drop off will be available inside the Hall of Fame Pavilion of Louisville Slugger Field. Participants may enter through the east gate doors next to Against the Grain. Parking is free in the main lot located on the east side of the ballpark.

Participants who wish to donate but want to stay in their cars may do so by visiting the drive-by drop off bins located in the main parking lot located on the east side of the ballpark. Bats staff members will be on hand to help with the drive-by donation process.

All participants who donate will receive a 20% off coupon to Dick’s Sporting Goods as well as a 20% off coupon for the Bats Team Store.

Holiday Merch Blowout Sale

In addition to the Playing It Forward initiative, the Bats will be holding their first-ever “Holiday Merch Blowout Sale” which will be offering discounted team merchandise items for up to 50% off. Specially discounted items will be available inside the Team Store. All fans will be required to wear masks when shopping and social distancing guidelines will be enforced.

Ballpark Renovations

Fans who attend are invited to walk around the ballpark to view many of the exciting renovations happening in advance of the 2021 season.

For any questions, please contact the Bats Front Office at (502) 212-2287 or email [email protected].

Boys To Law Enforcement Day To Be Held at Bowling Green Ballpark

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Bowling Green, Ky. – Boys to Men, Bowling Green Police Department, Warren County Sheriff’s Department, Western Kentucky University Police and the Bowling Green Hot Rods are please to announce the Inaugural Boys to Law Enforcement Day at Bowling Green Ballpark. The event will be held on Saturday September 26th from 10am to 5pm.

The event is to build positive relationships with law enforcement and young males in our community through education and athletics. ” I personally know that initiatives like this build positive relationships with law enforcement and young males in our community. Education and Athletics is a great way to tie these organizations together. They require discipline, integrity, teamwork, confidence, and trust. The most important thing that we want to build is love and positive energy. We want our officers to be seen in a positive light. We want our students to know that they can become one of them and much more. This is a great community, with great children and people. We must continue to shed light on the good of our community and not the tragedies of the world. Bowling Green Hot Rods, have been supportive of our organization. Along with a number of community partners, we see a great need to mentor and provide every resource possible to ensure that these students have a positive pathway towards adulthood.” Said Boys to Mens Director, Tyreon Clark.

Boys To Law Enforcement Day will consist of an array of activities that include: Run Bases with a Cop, Catch with A Cop, Home Run Derby & ending in a Flag Football Charity Game. Each Activity will be broken down into grade levels within the program. This day will be full of fun, and it will shed light on the positive relationships that our local officers are committed to building with young men in our community. “I think this partnership will help the Bowling Green Police Department by providing positive role models to your group and bridging the gap between the police department. You never know who’s life you might change or influence. Our goal is to help you encourage these young men and get them to believe in themselves. Once you believe then you can achieve. I look forward to helping and hopefully inspiring these young men.” Said Bowling Green Police Chief Michael Delaney.

The goal of the event is to introduce officers to students, provide a safe and fun environment for students and officers to interact, and develop positive relationships with students and law enforcement. “We are very committed to building partnerships that invest within our community and the lives of those that live here. I look forward to making plans to build our partnership” said Warren Country Sheriff Brett Hightower.

The gates to Bowling Green Ballpark will open up at 9:30 am with opening ceremonies at 10am. The days events will include ceremonial first pitch, run bases with a Cop at 10:20, catch with a Cop at 11am, Home Run Derby at noon, followed by a Flag Football Charity Game at 2pm. Concessions will be open beginning at 11am during the event. Eric C. Leach, Hot Rods General Manager and COO said “We are looking forward to hosting the inaugural event at our ballpark. We have partnered for the past two years with Boys to Men and love how they are impacting our community. We always want to be a place for the community to gather, make positive impacts, and help be a part of positive change.”

For media requests Boys to Men Tyreon Clark can be reached at [email protected] or at 931-999-3031.

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Hot Rods to Host High School Senior Showcase Presented by Reed Law Group

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BOWLING GREEN BALLPARK (Bowling Green, KY) — The Bowling Green Hot Rods have scheduled a Senior Showcase game for Saturday July 25th at Bowling Green Ballpark. The game is presented by Reed Law Group and will feature area high school baseball players who missed out on their senior season.

“We wanted to provide an opportunity for all the area High School Seniors to have a proper send off.” Said Hot Rods General Manager and COO Eric C. Leach. “We are going to do it up right with headshots, video board, promotions, and post-game fireworks. These players deserve a chance to play one final game and have our great community support them.”

Tickets will go on sale Thursday July 16th to the general public and will cost $10 per reserved seat. With the COVID-19 restrictions, capacity will be 1,500 people. Suites will be available for $250 and include 18 tickets.

“It is a privilege for Reed Law Group to help to provide this special group of seniors with one final chance to lace up their spikes and take the field’, said Ryan Reed, owner of Reed Law Group. “We believe strongly in moving people forward during challenging times. And having another turn at bat is an invaluable part of moving forward for these students, who were deprived of the chance to close out their athletic pursuits the way they envisioned. We cannot wait for first pitch!”

The gates will open up at 5:30 for the general public and first pitch is scheduled for 6:35pm. Vette City Catering will have concessions stands open and all the traditional ballpark favorites available. The fireworks spectacular will immediately follow the game.

Fans coming to Bowling Green Ballpark can expect to follow the following guidelines: Socially distant seating (each available seat will be marked), masks to worn into the ballpark and in all common areas, a temperature screening upon entering the ballpark, and hand sanitizing stations located throughout the ballpark. The Van Meter Axles Adventure land and the Graves Gilbert Clinic Carousel will not be open for sanitary purposes. The Graves Gilbert Splash Pad will be open as the water is all freshly treated.

Tickets can be purchased online by visiting bghotrods.com or calling the Hot Rods front office at 270-901-2121. New office hours are Monday thru Thursday 9am-4pm and Friday from 9am-1pm.

# # # Hot Rods Baseball