Bats host Opening Night Thursday, first homestand

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Louisville Bats open the 2015 campaign with Opening Night on Thursday, April 9 at Louisville Slugger Field as they take on the Toledo Mud Hens. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. The season marks the 16^th year of baseball at the corner of Preston and Main streets in downtown Louisville.

Fans will be able to enjoy $1 Bud and Bud Light drafts at the Budweiser Beer Happy Hour on the Overlook Deck from 5:30 to 7 p.m. along with live music from the J.D. Shelburne Band. The first 2,500 paid admissions ages 21-and-over through the gates will receive a Johnny Cueto commemorative beer stein. Also, Bats magnetic schedule will be given away at the gates.

College Night will be Friday, April 10 and students may receive a $5 field reserved ticket with a valid college ID. Koozies will also be given away to the first 1,500 fans and there will be fireworks following the game. On Saturday, various bobbleheads from past seasons' promotions will be given to the first 1,500 paid admissions.

New on Sundays this season and beginning April 12, Kids Eat Free with a paid admission. Kids 12-and-under may receive a voucher for a free hot dog, junior nachos and small Pepsi at the kiosk behind Section 115 (one voucher per child). Once again, the Inflatable KidsZone will be in the Hall of Fame Pavilion and Kids Run the Bases after the game.

The Bats' first of two Dog Days this season will be on Tuesday, April 14. Dog admissions are just $3 with proceeds benefiting the Kentucky Humane Society. Tickets for humans bringing their four-legged friends are just $7.

The club will be led by first-year manager Delino DeShields. The Bats return 12 players from 2014 and eight players on their Opening Night roster are on the Reds' 40-man roster. Key returnees include outfielder Donald Lutz, catcher Tucker Barnhart and starting pitchers Dylan Axelrod, Josh Smith and lefty David Holmberg. Veteran reliever Sam LeCure will also start this season with the Bats after being outrighted last week. Touted prospects pitcher Michael Lorenzen (No. 4 according to MLB.com) and outfielder Yorman Rodríguez (No. 11 according to MLB.com) will be making their Triple-A debuts this season. The team looks to secure their first winning season since 2011 and their first postseason berth since 2010.

The Bats have averaged 8,912 fans per game at Louisville Slugger Field since its opening in 2000 and have totaled over 9.4 million fans through 15 seasons. Tickets for all regular season games, including April 18 for Thunder Over Louisville, are available. The entire 2015 Bats schedule, including updated promotions and special events, can be found at batsbaseball.com. Single-game tickets may be purchased online, by calling 1-855-228-8497 or by visiting the Louisville Slugger Field box office. Full and partial season tickets, along with group outings and suite rentals are available by calling the Bats front office at 502-212-2287.

 

Louisville Bats Homestand Highlights • April 9 - April 14, 2015

Thursday, April 9 - Louisville Bats vs. Toledo Mud Hens, 6:35 p.m.

• Opening Night
• Budweiser Beer Happy Hour: $1 Bud and Bud Light from 5:30-7 p.m. plus live music by the J.D. Shelburne Band on the Overlook Deck from 5:30-6:05 p.m.
• Johnny Cueto Commemorative Beer Stein Giveaway: First 2,500 paid admissions ages 21-and-over, presented by Budweiser.
• 2015 Bats Magnetic Schedule Giveaway, presented by PPG Porter Paints, Visionworks, Kosair Children's Hospital, Norton Healthcare and 790 KRD.

Friday, April 10 - Louisville Bats vs. Toledo Mud Hens, 6:35 p.m.

• 2015 Bats Magnetic Schedule Giveaway (continued).
• College Night: Field reserved tickets only $5 with a valid college ID, presented by the University of Louisville College of Business.
• Koozie Giveaway: First 1,500 paid admissions, presented by the University of Louisville College of Business.
• Postgame Fireworks, presented by the University of Louisville College of Business.

Saturday, April 11 - Louisville Bats vs. Toledo Mud Hens, 6:05 p.m.

• Mystery Bobblehead Giveaway: First 1,500 fans receive bobblehead given out from past seasons' promotions.

Sunday, April 12 - Louisville Bats vs. Toledo Mud Hens, 2:05 p.m.

• Inflatable KidsZone: Inflated from 1-4 p.m. in the West Hall of Fame Pavilion, presented by BracesBracesBraces and Kids Dentistree.
• Kids Eat Free: New for 2015 at every Sunday home game, all kids 12-and-under with paid admission receive a free hot dog, junior nachos and small soda. One meal per child.
• Postgame Kids Run the Base, presented by the YMCA and Meijer.

Monday, April 13 - Louisville Bats vs. Columbus Clippers, 6:35 p.m.

• Meijer Monday: Fans receive $3 off per field reserved seat when presenting any Meijer receipt to the box office window.
• Baseball Bingo: Winner receives a $50 Meijer gift card and 2^nd place finisher(s) receive a gift certificate for a ½ gallon of Blue Bell Ice Cream.
• KentuckyOne Health Head and Neck Cancer Screening: 5:30-8 p.m. on the concourse.
• White Castle Guarantee Win Monday: If the Bats win, fans can take their ticket stub to White Castle for a FREE classic slider (good either Monday night or all day Tuesday at area White Castles).

Tuesday, April 14 - Louisville Bats vs. Columbus Clippers, 6:35 p.m.

• Dog Day: $7 admission for dog owners and $3 admission per dog. Dog admissions will be donated to the Kentucky Humane Society. Enter through Witherspoon or Jackson street entrances.
• $1 Hot Dogs and Pepsi Products, presented by Pepsi, Meijer and Aunt Millie's.