Louisville Bats second-year manager Delino DeShields will address the media at Louisville Slugger Field onWednesday, February 10 at 12 p.m. The press conference will be on the ballpark’s suite level in the lounge area and lunch will be provided. Joining DeShields will be Cincinnati Reds Director of Player Development Jeff Graupe.
DeShields, 47, became the Bats’ third manager in four seasons when he joined the club for the 2015 campaign. Louisville finished third in the International League West at 64-80 in DeShields’ first season. The 2016 season will be his eighth overall in the Cincinnati Reds’ organization and seventh as a manager. DeShields has also managed at Double-A Pensacola (2013-2014), Class A Dayton (2011-2012) and Rookie Billings (2010). He began his tenure with the Reds as Billings’ hitting coach in 2009.
DeShields was the 12th overall draft pick by the Montreal Expos in the 1987 June draft out of Seaford High School in Seaford, Del. He made his Major League debut in 1990 and went on to play in 1,615 games with the Expos, Dodgers, Cardinals, Orioles and Cubs through 2002, mostly at second base. He finished his big league career with a .268 batting average and his 463 career stolen bases currently rank him 50th all-time.
Graupe is in his 11th season with the organization and has served in his current role since November 1, 2012. He began his front office career in 2006 as a Baseball Operations Assistant, primarily overseeing the Major League advance scouting reports and video operations for three seasons. He was shifted into the Player Development department in 2010 and was named Assistant Director of Player Development in 2011.
The 2016 season will mark both the Bats’ 17th season at Louisville Slugger Field and their 17th season as the top affiliate of the National League’s Cincinnati Reds. The Bats open their 2016 schedule with a seven-game road trip beginning April 7 before Opening Night at Louisville Slugger Field on Thursday, April 14 vs. Toledo at 7:05 p.m.
The Bats have averaged 8,827 fans per game at Louisville Slugger Field since its opening in 2000 and have totaled over 9.9 million fans through 16 seasons.
The entire 2016 Bats schedule, including updated promotions and special events, can be found at batsbaseball.com.
Single-game tickets go on sale March 1 and 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.
