LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville’s minor league baseball team is now under new ownership.
On Tuesday, the Louisville Bats, the Triple-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, announced the team has been sold to Diamond Baseball Holdings (DBH). The organization owns and operates select minor league baseball clubs affiliated with Major League Baseball.
Although the transition marks a new era for the Bats, Louisville native Greg Galietter will remain on as team president, as will the existing front office staff.
“Louisville has witnessed baseball greats pass through the community as home to the Triple-A franchise for more than four decades,” officials said in a press release. “Originally coined the Redbirds, the club is famous for becoming the first minor league team to draw more than one million fans in a single season in 1983.”
Not only will the team remain under local leadership, but the Louisville Bats will also continue to call Louisville Slugger Field home.
“It’s an exciting day in Louisville as we turn the page on a new chapter of professional baseball in our community,” Galiette said.
Mayor Craig Greenberg is also welcoming DBH to Louisville, saying he is “eager for the future of the Bats.”
“They share in our vision to transform Louisville through this partnership and to contribute to the vibrancy of downtown, and their expertise in Minor League Baseball will greatly benefit the Bats,” he said.
It's unclear how much money DBH paid to the Bat's current owners, Stuart and Jerry Katzof, for ownership of the club.
Last year, crews completed renovations to Slugger Field which included an expanded outdoor space, three new LED video boards, a premium seating area behind home plate, and more.
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