Louisville, KY - Manager Rick Sweet and his entire coaching staff will return to Louisville for the 2010 season. Last year the Bats finished with the best record in the International League (84-58) and won their second consecutive IL West Division Title and fourth since 2001. Louisville fell to the Durham Bulls in the first round of the Governors' Cup Playoffs.For the second year in a row, Sweet, 57, was named the International League's Manager of the Year and in five seasons as the Bats skipper, is 387-330. His 387 wins are the most by a manager in Louisville franchise history and he finished the 2009 season in fifth place among active MiLB managers with 1,436 victories. As the IL All-Star Team's skipper in 2009, Sweet became the event's first three-time manager. Following a nine-year playing career (1975-83) as a catcher, including three seasons in the Majors with San Diego, New York-NL and Seattle, Sweet began managing in 1987 and owns a career mark of 1,436-1,385 in 21 seasons.
Adrian "Smokey" Garrett returns for his eighth season as Louisville's hitting coach. Garrett played 19 years of professional baseball (1961-79), including parts of eight seasons in the Majors with Atlanta, Chicago-NL, Oakland and California.
Former Redbird Ted Power will enter his fifth season as the Bats' pitching coach, leading the 2009 staff to the franchise's lowest ERA in history at 3.46. Also under Power's guidance last season, Justin Lehr won the IL's Most Valuable Pitcher Award after going 6-0 in six June starts. Power enjoyed a 13-year Major League career, including five seasons (1983-87) with Cincinnati.
Tomas Vera returns as head athletic trainer for his second season in Louisville while Gabe Moreno will begin his third year with the Bats as the team's strength and conditioning coach.
The Bats open the 2010 season at home on April 14 against the Indianapolis Indians. Season ticket and Christmas packages are on sale and great seats may purchased by calling (502) 212-2287. Season ticket packages start at $63 and are highlighted with games on Thunder Over Louisville as well as fireworks displays on July 3, Memorial Day Eve and Labor Day Eve. Group outing seats and picnic space, including the air-conditioned Hall of Fame and new shaded patio deck, can also be reserved for all games by calling the Bats office.
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