What is the Louisville Bats Baseball Schedule and How to Catch Exciting Minor League Action

As a baseball fanatic and home improvement enthusiast living in Louisville, I‘m thrilled our city is home to the Louisville Bats Triple-A minor league team. With a fun family atmosphere and future Major League stars on the field, Bats games at Louisville Slugger Field are a perfect summer activity.

History and Overview of the Louisville Bats

The Louisville Bats have been developing top talent for the Cincinnati Reds as their Triple-A affiliate since 1998. In their 22 year history, they‘ve won two division titles and sent over 100 players to the big leagues.

Fun fact: Hall of Famer Barry Larkin played with the Bats in 1986 on his way up the Reds farm system to MLB stardom.

The Bats play in the International League which spans 14 teams across the U.S. and Canada. In 2019, Louisville‘s record was 67-76, finishing 5th in their division. While wins and losses vary year-to-year, the Bats consistently showcase future Reds stars.

Louisville Slugger Field has been the Bats‘ downtown home since 2000. The intimate ballpark seats 13,131 fans and provides an affordable minor league experience. In 2015, Louisville also hosted the Triple-A All-Star Game.

Key Games and Promotions on the 2020 Schedule

The Louisville Bats‘ season runs from April 9th through September 7th with 70 home games on the schedule. Based on my experiences, here are some of the key games and promotions worth catching:

• April 17th – Home Opener vs Columbus – The perfect way to kick off a new season! Enjoy opening ceremonies, in-game promotions and a magnet schedule giveaway for the fridge.

• May 5th – Star Wars Night – Dress up as your favorite characters for out-of-this-world fun. Post-game fireworks are the perfect finale.

• June 13th – Pride Night – Celebrate Louisville‘s LGBTQ community with events and exclusive Bats Pride gear. Fireworks follow the game.

• July 3rd & 4th – Independence Day Weekend – Enjoy two games filled with patriotic themes and the biggest fireworks shows of the year!

• August 18th – Bark in the Park Night – Fans are encouraged to bring their dogs for this howling good time! Pet-friendly vendors will be on hand.

• August 29th – Fan Appreciation Night – Enjoy prize giveaways throughout the game and a post-game concert on the field.

There are also many popular giveaway items like bobbleheads on Fridays, Reds player appearances, and events like Princess and Pirates Night for the kids. Check batsbaseball.com for the complete promotional schedule.

Insider Tips for Enjoying a Louisville Bats Game

As a Louisville local, here are my tips for getting the most out of a trip to Slugger Field for a Bats game:

Arrive Early: Gates open 1 hour before first pitch, so come early to fully experience all the ballpark has to offer. The lines move fast!

Parking: I recommend the PNC Bank Garage on Main St. It‘s $10, connected to the stadium, and has easy highway access. Free street parking can be found if you don‘t mind a bit of a walk.

Seating: My favorite area is the Field Box seats along the baselines – you‘re closest to the action! Outfield Box seats are also great values in the $13-15 range.

Food: Grab a Hot Brown, slice of Derby Pie or BBQ sandwich to get local flavors! There‘s also typical ballpark staples like hot dogs and peanuts.

Kids: Let them burn energy at the free playground and doing the YMCA dance during the 5th inning stretch!

Souvenirs: Pick up a custom Louisville Bats jersey or mini-slugger bat from the team store before heading home.

Enjoying a Bats game is about so much more than baseball – it‘s an immersive Louisville experience!

Watching and Listening to Games

All 140 Louisville Bats games are broadcast on the radio via 790 WKRD. Streaming is also available on MiLB.TV with a subscription.

Here are the TV broadcast partners for select games:

• WMYO My58 – 25 games
• Fox Sports Ohio – 2 games

In 2019, the Bats saw a 4% increase in total viewership and ratings on My58 broadcasts. Their games reached approximately 516,000 total viewers throughout the season.

2020 Louisville Bats Roster Preview

The Bats‘ roster features top Cincinnati Reds prospects, many predicted to make their MLB debut soon. Here are a few names to watch and their stats from last season:

Hunter Greene, RHP – #2 Reds prospect per MLB Pipeline – Appeared in 7 games before Tommy John surgery ended his season. Throws over 100 mph with huge potential if he can recover fully.

Jonathan India, 3B – 2019 1st round draft pick – Hit .240 in rookie ball last season after being drafted 5th overall. Scouts praise his power and discipline. Expected to move up quickly.

Jose Garcia, SS – Hit .280 across two levels in 2019 – This 21-year old Cuban native is praised for his smooth defense and contact hitting ability. Has 50-steal potential.

Tejay Antone, RHP – 2.80 ERA at Double-A last season – A big 6‘4" righty taken in the 5th round in 2014. Could contribute in the Reds bullpen soon.

While winning is great, the main goal is developing talent capable of excelling in the Major Leagues. The Bats offer fans a sneak peek at the future stars of the Reds.

Meet the Louisville Bats Coaches and Executives

The Bats benefit from experienced leadership guiding the team both on and off the field:

Pat Kelly, Manager – Was Reds‘ bench coach from 2016-2018 – In his second stint guiding the Bats after previously managing from 2004-2006.

Seth Etherton, Pitching Coach – 10 years in the Majors as a pitcher – Works closely with the team‘s pitchers to hone their craft for MLB.

Andy Tomberlin, Hitting Coach – Former manager of Double-A Pensacola – Knows the Reds farm system thoroughly after 8 years managing within the organization.

Vic Gregovits, President/CEO – Has been with the organization since inception in 1998 – Oversees the business and community initiatives of the franchise.

Jennifer Zahn, General Manager – Previously with the Arizona Diamondbacks – Handles the day-to-day team operations and front office leadership.

This experienced staff gives the Bats a great support system to develop talent capable of succeeding in the big leagues.

More Fun Things to Do in Louisville, Kentucky

As a home improvement contributor, I love exploring all the fun sights and activities around Louisville when I‘m not at a Bats game or renovating bathrooms!

Here are some of my top recommendations to make a whole weekend of your visit:

• Take a tour of Churchill Downs and maybe catch some live racing
• Browse the unique galleries and museums in the NuLu East Market District
• Stroll around the shops and restaurants at Fourth Street Live downtown
• Learn about Louisville‘s spirit at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience
• Tour the famous Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory
• Burn off kid‘s energy at Louisville Mega Cavern‘s underground ziplining
• Marvel at glass art creations at the Speed Art Museum
• Immerse yourself in nature at The Parklands of Floyds Fork

With so much to experience, Louisville truly offers something for everyone – especially baseball fans who can see the next MLB stars playing at Louisville Slugger Field!

Frequently Asked Questions About the Louisville Bats

Here are answers to some of the most common questions I hear people asking about the Louisville Bats:

What league do the Louisville Bats play in?

The Louisville Bats are a Triple-A minor league team in the International League.

What MLB team are the Louisville Bats affiliated with?

The Louisville Bats are the Triple-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds.

Where do the Bats play their home games?

The Louisville Bats play at Louisville Slugger Field located at 401 E Main St, Louisville, KY 40202.

How much do Louisville Bats tickets cost?

Bats tickets range from $9-25 depending on seat location. Discounted tickets are also available.

Do the Bats have giveaways and fireworks nights?

Yes! The promotional schedule includes many popular giveaway items and post-game fireworks shows.

What time do Bats games start?

First pitch for home games is 7:05pm. Gates open 1 hour before first pitch.

Can you bring food and drinks into Louisville Slugger Field?

Yes, fans are permitted to bring their own snacks and non-alcoholic beverages.

Are Bats games televised locally?

Select games air locally on WMYO My58 and Fox Sports Ohio. All games can be streamed on MiLB.TV with a subscription.

Experiencing the excitement of Bats baseball and exploring Louisville go hand-in-hand for an unforgettable summer. I hope this guide gives you a glimpse into what makes Minor League Baseball such a fun, affordable option for families and fans of America‘s pastime. Let‘s play ball!