Entire field staff will be back for Bats
Sweet, 55, is 215-216 in three seasons as the Bats skipper and is in third place on Louisville's career managerial win list. 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 1,264-1,271 over 19 seasons.
Adrian "Smokey" Garrett returns for his sixth 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 Reds hurler Ted Power will enter his third season as Louisville's pitching coach. Power enjoyed a 13-year Major League career, including five seasons (1983-87) with Cincinnati.
Chris Lapole returns as head trainer for his fourth season in Louisville and 10th in the Reds organization, while Gabe Moreno returns as strength and conditioning coach for 2008.
Louisville Slugger Field will host the Meijer Triple-A All-Star Game on July 16, 2008. Louisville will begin the 2008 campaign on the road on Thursday, April 3 versus the Syracuse Chiefs, Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. The Bats Home Opener will be on Friday, April 11 against the Pawtucket Red Sox, Triple-A affiliate of the World Champion Boston Red Sox, beginning at 7:05 p.m. Season tickets are available now by calling the Bats office at (502) 212-2287 or visiting www.batsbaseball.com online.