The Pinkie's Official “Bats” Page
Reds Caravan to Stop at Louisville Slugger Museum Tonight at 5:30
By: nickev | January 28th, 2010 | Category: BatsThe 2010 Reds Winter Caravan, presented by CincinnatiUSA.com, will make it’s annual stop in Louisville tonight at Louisville Slugger Museum from 5:30-8:00 p.m.
Reds OF Chris Dickerson signs autographs at the 2009 Reds Caravan
The event, which is free and open to the public, will feature Reds Broadcaster Thom Brennaman; Reds Chief Operating Officer Phil Castellini; President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Walt Jocketty; Reds 1990 World Series team member and Dayton Dragons Manager Todd Benzinger; Reds outfielder Jay Bruce; 2009 Southern League All-Star and Reds’ No. 1 hitting prospect according to Baseball America, Todd Frazier, Reds mascot Mr. Redlegs and Bats mascot Buddy Bat.
The very popular Reds Winter Caravan provides fans from all over Reds Country the opportunity to interact with Reds managers, players, broadcasters and front office executives. The group will field questions from fans and sign autographs, in addition to raffling off two tickets to the 2010 Opening Day game against the St. Louis Cardinals on April 5.
Sales representatives from both the Cincinnati Reds and Louisville Bats will be on hand to discuss season tickets and group outings, while the Reds Hall of Fame, the Reds Community Fund and Cincinnati USA Regional Tourism Network will also be in attendance.
Buddy Bat and Rosie Red pose at the 2009 Reds Caravan
The Louisville Bats will begin their 2010 season on the road against the Toledo Mud Hens, Triple-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, on Thursday, April 8th. The Bats then kick off their home schedule on Wednesday, April 14th, against the Indianapolis Indians, Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05.
Full and partial season tickets, along with group outings and suite rentals are available by calling the Bats front office at (502) 212-2287 or visiting www.batsbaseball.com.
Could Aroldis Chapman be in Louisville to start 2010?
By: Stella | January 16th, 2010 | Category: BatsAfter being spendthrifts for the first part of free agency, the Cincinnati Reds made a splash this past week when they signed prized pitching prospect Aroldis Chapman to a huge deal worth over $30 million. Chapman, who recently defected from Cuba, is projected as a starter with some pitches that may get Reds’ fans sexually excited. His fastball has supposedly been clocked at 102 miles per hour, and his slider is rumored to be pretty nasty, as well. With Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo still puttin’ in work at the top of the Reds’ rotation, it is possible we may see Chapman start the season with the Bats here in Louisville. Although you hate to see one of your highest paid players toiling on the farm, Chapman is still only 21 years old, and may need a bit of an adjustment period. Check out more info on Chapman and the communist regime he escaped from here.
Chapman in his Cuban uniform. No surprise that it's red.
Louisville Bats Christmas Packs
By: nickev | November 13th, 2009 | Category: BatsTHE PERFECT HOLIDAY GIFT FOR ANY SPORTS FAN.
They pick the EIGHT GAMES. They get the FREE BATS HAT. All for ONLY $49!
Wish the sports fan in your life a Merry Christmas with a stocking stuffer from the Louisville Bats. The Bats Christmas Pack includes 8 Reserved-Any-Day ticket vouchers plus a FREE black Bats hat for only $49! With RAD ticket vouchers, Bats fans can create their own ticket package, offering them flexibility in scheduling the games they want to see. RAD ticket vouchers may be redeemed for any number of seats, for one game, or multiple games.
Please Note: RAD vouchers exclude Thunder Over Louisville, Playoffs and July 3. RAD’s must be redeemed at the Bats Box Office window in advance or on the day of the game. RAD vouchers may only be redeemed for the best available Field Reserved seat. Vouchers are not redeemable for cash. You can pick your pack up at the Louisville Slugger Field front office or a $5 shipping charge can be added to your order if you wish to have them delivered.
- To have your order shipped please purchase no later than Friday, December 18th.
- Last day to purchase a Christmas Pack is Monday, December 21st.
- Last day to pick-up a Christmas Pack is Tuesday, December 22nd.
How to Purchase: To purchase a Christmas Pack please call the Bats at (502) 614-4524 or email Nick Evans at nevans@batsbaseball.com.
INFORMATION ON MINI-PLANS AND SEASON TICKETS
Louisville Bats Mini-Plans are again loaded with our best promotions and make great Christmas gifts for friends, family, employees or your best customers. Fireworks, entertaining acts, giveaways…something to offer for fans of all ages.
Plans range from $63 for a 9-Game Friday or Saturday plan to $199 for a 26-Game Plan. If that is not enough, tremendous season ticket locations are available in the lower level and our club level.
You will receive a Louisville Bats seat cushion and a Bats season ticket holder cap for each season ticket seat or mini-plan that you purchase. You will also receive one four-color Bats poster schedule with game dates, times and promotions listed. And don’t forget that your ticket package allows you to park for FREE in the Humana Garage only one block east of the stadium.
For more information on the Louisville Bats’ best ticket options, contact Nick Evans at (502) 614-4524 or nevans@batsbaseball.com.
Bats and Bulls Square off in Decisive Game Five Tonight at 5:05
By: nickev | September 13th, 2009 | Category: BatsLouisville, KY – Yesterday, the Louisville Bats defeated the Durham Bulls 10-7 in the face of elimination. There was a barrage of hits and runs through three innings, with both teams putting up six runs a piece. Niether starting pitcher lasted any longer than two-and-one-third innings. Both bullpen’s pitched well to keep their respective teams in the game, but the Bats finally broke the dead lock on a solo home run by Danny Dorn in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Bats pitcher, Tom Cochran, who only had three starts for the Bats in the regular season, got the nod to start from manager Rick Sweet. He was ousted after only two-and-one-third innings after being pounded in the early going. He surrendered six hits, six runs, two walks, while striking out one batter.
Bulls starter Rayner Oliveros was not any better. He ended up pitching one inning plus, giving up four hits, five runs, and two walks.
Cochran gave way to relief pitcher, Lee Tabor, who pitched brilliantly for the Bats. Tabor (1-0, 0.00) picked up the win, going four productive relief innings, only allowing two hits and one walk. He also notched two strike outs in a valiant relief effort.
Heath Rollins relieved Oliveros and pitched four-and-two-thirds innings. Rollins (0-1, 5.40) suffered the loss giving up four hits, three runs, one walk, while striking out one.
For the second consecutive evening, the Bats got on the board first. Prior to last night, the team who scored first in the series ultimately lost the game. The Bats broke that trend tonight. They put up a two-spot in the bottom of the first on a pair of RBI singles by Juan Francisco and Todd Frazier.
The Bulls doubled the Bats in the top of the second on an RBI single by Elliot Johnson, followed by a 385-foot three-run home run by Michel Hernandez, giving the Bulls a 4-2 lead.
The Bats put up four runs of their own to gain back the lead in the bottom half of the second. Chris Denove hit a two-run double to tie the game, and two batters later, Chris Heisey hit a two-run single to give the Bats a lead of 6-4.
In the spirit of the back and forth game, the Bulls were able to tie the game back up in the top of the third. They scored runs via a ground out and a wild pitch, which was Tabor’s first pitch of the ballgame, knotting it up at six.
The scoring halted until the bottom of the sixth when Dorn’s 372-foot home run untied it, giving the Bats a 7-6 lead. But the Bats were not done scoring in the inning. Chris Valaika doubled following Dorn’s home run, and was able to move up to third on a wild pitch. During the next at-bat, another wild pitch was thrown, this time allowing Valaika to score, pushing the lead to 8-6.
The Bulls attempted to rally in the top of the eighth. With one on and one out, Johnson singled back to Bats relief pitcher, Enerio del Rosario, who air mailed a throw to first, allowing Justin Ruggiano to advance to third. Logan Ondrusek came in and the first batter he faced, Hernandez, sent a broken bat comebacker to the mound, and Ondrusek threw the ball into centerfield, scoring Ruggiano, and making it 8-7 in favor of the Bats. Ondrusek was able to stop the bleeding by coaxing back-to-back ground outs to end the inning.
The Bats added some much needed insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth. Hot-hitting Chris Denove struck again, hitting his second double of the game into the left field corner, scoring Danny Dorn. Luis Bolivar followed Denove, hitting a sacrifice fly to extend the Bats lead to 10-7.
Ondrusek sent the Bulls down in order in the top of the ninth to earn his second save of the postseason.
The Bats and Bulls will lock up in decisive game five of the series tonight. First pitch is set for 5:05. RHP Camillo Vazquez will get the ball for the Bats. He will be opposed by RHP Paul Phillips of the Bulls. It will be both pitchers’ first start of the postseason.
Bats Hope to Stave off Elimination
By: nickev | September 12th, 2009 | Category: BatsLouisville, KY – Last night the Louisville Bats failed to rally in the bottom of the ninth as they were defeated by the Durham Bulls, 4-3. The loss puts the Bats on the brink of elimination, as they now trail two games to one in the best-of-five first round playoff series.
The Bats surrendered all four runs in the top of the fourth inning this evening. The game was played at Louisville Slugger Field in front of a lively playoff crowd of 6,345.
Bulls closer Winston Abreu notched all three outs in the bottom of the ninth via the strike out. He disposed of Chris Heisey and Jay Bruce on six straight strikes. Todd Frazier then hit an infield single up the middle, cut off by the shortstop. Juan Francisco came up and hit a nubber down the first base line, and he eluded the swiping tag of Bulls first basemen, Joe Dillon, putting runners on first and second with two out. It was the second time of the night which Frazier and Francisco hit back-to-back infield singles. Chris Valaika then went down swinging to end the game. The save was Abreu’s first of the postseason.
The Bats did get on the board first. Catcher Chris Denove led off the bottom of the third inning with a 392-foot blast to the left field seats. It was his second home run of this postseason, as he hit one in the game one loss. Following Denove, Heisey and Bruce reached on consecutive one-out singles, but the Bats could not capitalize and add to the lead.
The top of the fourth spelled trouble for the Bats and starting pitcher Sam LeCure. LeCure allowed the first five hitters to reach base. He gave up a lead off single to Joe Dillon, followed by back-to-back walks, and then back-to-back singles, plating two runs, giving the Bulls a 2-1 lead. With the bases loaded, LeCure coaxed Michel Hernandez to ground into a double play, but Sean Rodriguez came across the plate. Henry Mateo then singled to right, scoring Justin Ruggiano, extending the Bulls lead to 4-1.
LeCure (0-1, 6.00) was able to bounce back after the rough fourth by pitching a one-two-three fifth, followed by a scoreless sixth inning. He suffered the loss going six innings, giving up six hits, four runs, three walks, while striking out two.
The Bats were able to edge closer in the bottom of the sixth on a line drive home run by Cincinnati Reds top prospect, Yonder Alonso, making it a 4-2 game. It was Alonso’s first Triple-A home run in his third Triple-A game.
Bulls starter Jason Cromer’s night ended after the sixth. Cromer (1-0, 3.00) picked up the win, allowing six hits, two runs, two walks, and striking out three.
The Bats hope to stay alive tonight as they face elimination in game four of the series against the Bulls. First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m. and the first 2,000 adult fans will receive a 2009 International League West Division Champions T-Shirt.
LHP Tom Cochran (1-0, 3.07 on the season) will take the ball for the Bats. The starting pitcher for the Bulls will be RHP Rayner Oliveros (1-0, 3.48).
Reds #1 Prospect Yonder Alonso to join Louisville Bats for Playoffs
By: nickev | September 9th, 2009 | Category: BatsLouisville, KY – Cincinnati’s top prospect, IF Yonder Alonso, joins the Bats today as they open the first round of the Governors’ Cup Playoffs against the Durham Bulls in North Carolina tonight. Louisville’s Travis Wood will face Durham’s Jeremy Hellickson at Durham Bulls Athletic Park at 7:05 p.m.
Alonso, drafted seventh overall in the first round of the 2008 draft, will be making his Triple-A debut when he appears for the Bats. The first baseman began the season with Single-A Sarasota (49g, .303-7-38) and was promoted to Double-A Carolina June 1 (29g, .287-2-14). Alonso was placed on the disabled list June 18 with a fractured right hamate in his hand and played six rehab games with the GCL Reds before being reinstated from the DL August 22; Alonso finished the season with the Mudcats. In 84 games overall, he hit a combined .292 (86-295) with nine homers and 52 RBI.
Outfielder Jay Bruce, who is with the Bats on Major League rehab, will remain with the team through at least their series with Durham. Bruce fractured his right wrist while diving for a ball and has been on Cincinnati’s disabled list since July 26. Catcher Ryan Hanigan left Louisville and will not be with the team in Durham. Hanigan was with the Bats on Major League rehab to recover from a concussion he suffered Aug. 23; hit safely in all five rehab games with the Bats.
The Bats and Bulls are squaring off for the fourth time in the post-season since Louisville joined the International League in 1998. Durham defeated the Redbirds in 1998 (3-0), the Bats in 2003 (3-1) and then eliminated the Bats, 3-1, last season. The only IL Championship came in 2001 when the RiverBats were named the winner after defeating Norfolk in the first round (3-2) and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (1-0) in the finals; the finals were shortened that year due to the terrorist attacks of 9/11.
The Bats return home for games three through five Friday, Sept. 11 (7:05 p.m.), Saturday, Sept. 12 (6:05 p.m.) and Sunday, Sept. 13 (5:05 p.m.); games four and five will be played, if necessary, Sept. 12-13. The winner of the Louisville/Durham series will play the winner of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and Gwinnett series that opens tonight in Gwinnett.
Thursday, Thursday, Thirsty Thursday
By: nickev | August 27th, 2009 | Category: BatsIt’s Thursday and the Bats are in town, so you know what that means. $1 Bud and Bud Lights on the Overlook Deck from 5:30 to 7:00 along with live music. The weather is great, baseball is an awesome sport and beer is delicious.
Come out to Louisville Slugger Field and watch your hometown Bats as they inch closer and closer to back-to-back IL West Division Crowns.
Then after the game head out to Sully’s Saloon at Fourth Street and continue to quench that thirst of yours. Make sure that you tell them that the Pinkie told you to stop by so they hook me up with some free drinks for promotin’ their spot. It would also be cool to know that more than six people actually look at this site.
So for recap purposes on this Thursday: Beer and Baseball at Louisville Slugger Field followed by more beer and giant posters of Michael Jackson and 23 plays of “I’m On A Boat” at Sully’s.
Squad Up People! I mean seriously, who even Squads Down anymore?
The Famous Chicken to Appear at Louisville Slugger Field Tonight
By: nickev | August 15th, 2009 | Category: BatsTonight, the Famous Chicken will make an appearance at Louisville Slugger Field, as the Bats take on the Toledo Mud Hens in game two of a three-game series.
In honor of this appearance, I present to you an interview we did with the Chicken in the offseason, while Manny Ramirez was negotiating his contract with the Dodgers. Some words were uttered and his agent, Scott Boras, said that the Dodgers were “playing chicken”.
So we interviewed the most famous chicken in the world to get his thoughts on Boras’ comments.
In light of Scott Boras’ recent comments, in which he warned the Los Angeles Dodgers to not “play chicken” with Manny Ramirez, the Pinkie gives the most famous chicken of all a chance for rebuttal. Upset over the fact that Boras only wants the Dodgers to “play human”, a discouraged and somewhat confused chicken found the strength to give his side of the story.
Straitpinkie.com is honored to present to you a Pinkie Exclusive. A Pinkie exclusive that is for humans, chickens, giraffes or any other species that roams the earth. Discrimination and “words of hate” please find the door immediately. Ladies and gents, the most famous chicken to ever cluck…the San Diego Famous Chicken.
The Pinkie: First off, we would just like to thank you for giving us an opportunity to interview you. We are privileged that you chose the Pinkie to help set the record strait on this whole “playing chicken” fiasco.
The Pinkie: All indications, given your interactions with fans and children at the ballpark, say that you are a pretty easy-going chicken. Would you like to respond to Boras’ seemingly baseless comment that one should “watch out” when playing you?
The Chicken: I’m not a psychologist of course, I just play one at the ballpark toward umpires. But I believe this perceived notion might stem from a childhood trauma of Mr. Boras’ somehow. For me as a young dumpling for example, I had a reviled thing for circus clowns, which extends to this day toward mimes. Still, while there is nothing to “watch out” for, I kind of like the idea of being feared and intimidating, kind of like a gangsta chicken.
The Pinkie: As a member of the species gallus gallus, or gallus domesticus, how is the use of the term “chicken” in human slang offensive to you?
The Chicken: Hmmm, if I was actually smart enough to know what the term gallus domesticus is, I could address the “chicken” slang. Until then, perhaps it’s best if all those outside of our community start using the term, C-word for safety.
The Pinkie: A majority of people would agree that you are the one who is usually the player, not the playee, duping umpires, coaches, players, and groundscrew alike. Have you ever been ‘played’ by anyone?
The Chicken: Yes, years ago when he was a star catcher for the Braves, Joe Torre played a prank on me during a game. He had me suit up in his uniform to warm up the pitcher between innings. But when it was time to hand off his glove, he wasn’t around and had instead taken a new position at third base. And for years, he became an All-Star at the hot corner. He later admitted to the press that he hated being a backstop and called himself the Chicken catcher Torre. He then made an Italian dish to commemorate our occasion, Chicken Cacciatore and went on to make millions in recipe licensing fees. And I never saw a nickel of it!
The Pinkie: If so, what lessons did you learn from getting played, and what advice would you have for those out there who are trying NOT to get played?
The Chicken: The lesson learned was that only turkeys should stick their necks out that far. My advice and copyrighted motto for not getting played is, “Always lay low until you know.”
The Pinkie: Do you have large talons?
The Chicken: Oh yeah, large talons indeed. And you know what that means, of course–big McNuggets.
The Pinkie: Do you harbor any ill-will or animosity towards the Chick-Fil-A cows? Shouldn’t they be ones who are “watching out”??
The Chicken: Yes, I’m afraid the Chick-Fil-A cows have ratcheted up the rivalry between beef and fowl to an all time high by going public. But this is a new era and I’m hereby going to extend a chicken feather of friendship to request a national summit between us at a secret farm club. I plan to go in peace and hope not to leave in pieces.
The Pinkie: Why DID you cross the road????
The Chicken: To get away from a stupid question.
The Pinkie: Being THE FAMOUS Chicken, there is little doubt that your groupie following is astronomical. Is it possible this is what Boras is referring to? Some Rooster from your past who played you by seeing other chickens behind your back, and now has less of a chance of being found than Hoffa?
The Chicken: Hey wait, first of all, technically, I am a rooster. It’s hens who are the females. Chicken is just the general term you humans use for all of us. But in the spirit of your question, yep, Mr. Boras and his sources obviously may have known about my past family’s reputation. My dad ran an underground Southern California syndicate which was in cahoots with the New York families. He was known in those circles as The Godfowler and ran the numbers racket. Instead of laying eggs, he laid odds. And the word was, if you didn’t come up the scratch, you’d go down the hatch.
The Pinkie: Are you jealous of Anaheim’s hockey team?
The Chicken: I have to admit a ping of jealously in being overlooked for a team nickname in favor of ducks. But for crying out loud, would it have hurt to call the team, the Anaheim Mighty Clucks?
The Pinkie: And to settle it once and for all, what came first, you or the egg?
The Chicken: That’s an old barnyard secret and if I were to leak it, I’d be henpecked forever.
For more on the famous chicken go to his official website, famouschicken.com.
Start Your Weekend Off Early at Louisville Slugger Field
By: nickev | July 23rd, 2009 | Category: Bats$1 Budweisers and Bud Lights tonight at Louisville Slugger Field on the Overlook Deck from 5:30 to 7:00. After yesterday’s crap weather, it looks like tonight is going to be pretty nice. And what is better than baseball and beer?
This is the last game of the homestand, so be sure to come out and watch the Bats take on the Buffalo Bisons.
After today the Bats take off for Syracuse for a quick four-game set and then are back in town for another eight-game homestand on Tuesday.
Bats and Bulls Tonight at Louisville Slugger Field
By: nickev | July 18th, 2009 | Category: BatsFollowing a 3-2 loss last night in 16 innings, the Bats look to split the series with the Durham Bulls. Kip Wells (0-1, 1.69) makes his first career start for the Bats tonight and will be opposed by Matt DeSalvo (0-3, 6.75). First pitch is at 6:15 and gates open at 5:00.
Jake the Diamond Dog will be in the house entertaining the masses and if you are lucky you might even catch a glimpse of Lauren Anderson, who is better known as Playboy Playmate of the Month for July of 2002. She is rockin’ Louisville Slugger Field because her boy, Reid Brignac, the self-proclaimed Cajun God of Baseball, plays shortstop for the Bulls. Oh to play stickball.
