After a year off due to COVID-19, the Louisville Bats are back in action. The top farm club of the Cincinnati Reds open 2021 with a series against the Columbus Clippers on Tuesday, May 4th, at 6:30 pm.
There are many changes between years past and 2021: Minor League baseball is starting much later this year, the Bats are no longer in the International League, and there will be seating limits due to the pandemic.
Also read: Looking ahead to the 2022 NFL Draft for Louisville Football
A new year, same Bats
As stated before, there are a few differences. Due to minor-league baseball restructuring, the Louisville Bats are in the Triple-A East. Louisville is specifically in the Midwest division; comprised of the Columbus Clippers, Indianapolis Indians, Iowa Cubs, Omaha Storm Chasers, St. Paul Saints, and the Toledo Mud Hens. Columbus, Indianapolis, Toledo, and Louisville comprised the old IL West division.
The entire 120-game schedule is broken into six-game series. The Bats will have Mondays off, and play Tuesday-Sunday.
Louisville Slugger Field will initially open at 40 percent capacity. Louisville also requires masks to be worn at all times. Tickets will be sold in socially distanced “pods” of 2-6 fans. You can read more about their precautions here
A look at the team
Louisville features a veteran-filled squad this year. 21 of 30 players have played in the MLB. The Bats also feature three of Cincinnati’s top-25 prospects. Baseball America’s No. 9 Reds prospect RHP Tony Santillan, No. 14 prospect RHP Vladimir Gutierrez, and No. 24 prospect OF TJ Friedel are on the opening day roster.
Pat Kelly returns as manager this season, last managing the club for 10 games in 2018. Alex Pelaez is the hitting coach, Seth Etherton the pitching coach, Justin Bucko the strength coach, and Kevin Mahar is an assistant coach.
Single-game tickets are on sale now. Opening night features $2 beers, opening night fireworks, and Dollar menu items.
