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Jim Riggleman to manage Bats in 2013

December 12, 2012
Louisville, KY - Former Major League manager Jim Riggleman will manage the Louisville Bats in 2013. Riggleman will become the third Bats manager in as many years following Rick Sweet (2005-2011) and David Bell (2012). The Cincinnati Reds have yet to name the Bats' hitting coach or pitching coach for 2013.

Riggleman, 60, will join the Bats for his second season in Reds' player development. He was the manager of the Double-A Pensacola Blue Wahoos in 2012 and compiled a 68-70 record. Riggleman is the former manager of the Major League's San Diego Padres (1992-94), Chicago Cubs (1995-99), Seattle Mariners (2008) and Washington Nationals (2009-11). In his 12 seasons as a Major League manager, he compiled a 662-824 record and in 1998 led the Cubs to the playoffs. Riggleman has more than 30 years as a manager or coach, including portions of 19 seasons at the big league level, after beginning his coaching career in 1981 in the St. Louis Cardinals organization.

This will be Riggleman's third stint in Louisville. He served as a coach with the Louisville Redbirds in 1982 before leaving in June for another position. He also spent time in Louisville during the 1988 season as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals' player development staff.

"We are extremely happy to announce that Jim will be managing in Louisville in 2013," said Reds assistant director of player development Jeff Graupe. "Jim brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position that will be instrumental to the team's success at the AAA level, while also preparing our players for the Major Leagues."

The Bats open their 2013 season at Louisville Slugger Field with a Budweiser Game Time Happy Hour on Thursday, April 4 against the Toledo Mud Hens at 6:35 p.m. One-dollar Budweiser and Bud Light will be sold from 5:30-7 p.m.

Bats' single game tickets for the 2013 season are currently on sale as part of the December presale. Fans can purchase tickets for all 72 home games, including Thunder Over Louisville on April 21, opening night and the Independence Day fireworks show on July 3. Tickets will be available to purchase online (www.batsbaseball.com/tickets) through December 20. Tickets will also be available through the Louisville Slugger Field advance box office, located at Main and Preston streets, through December 20, Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phone orders may be placed by calling during regular box office hours at 1-855-228-8497.

Fans can also purchase the 2013 Louisville Bats Christmas Pack, which includes eight (8) Flex Game Ticket Vouchers, offering fans the flexibility in choosing the games they want to see, plus a FREE Bats logo fleece set including gloves, hat and scarf all for only $59.

Call the Bats front office at (502) 212-2287, or visit www.batsbaseball.com, for more information on Christmas packs, full season tickets, mini plans, group outings and suite rentals.