The Triple-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds is prepared to give two Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference baseball programs a professional baseball stadium experience.
The Louisville Bats announced Thursday morning that on Saturday, Mar. 23, they will host the inaugural Louisville Bats HBCU Classic featuring Kentucky State and Morehouse College. Gates will open at 11:30 a.m., and admission is free.
We're proud to announce the inaugural Louisville Bats HBCU Classic!@KYSUAthletics will take on @MorehouseNines at Louisville Slugger Field on Saturday March 23rd. For more details ⬇#BlackHistoryMonth
— Louisville Bats (@LouisvilleBats) February 29, 2024
The Bats are partnering with Mission Vision Partner LLC for a baseball game and a business showcase, providing exposure to Black businesses in the Louisville area. MVP CEO Henry Snorton III is a Kentucky State alum.
“I wanted to create an event that leveraged partnerships to support and give back to Kentucky’s HBCUs, especially my alma mater, KSU,” he says.
“We’re excited to welcome two great institutions to Louisville Slugger Field as part of the first-ever Bats HBCU Classic,” Bats President Greg Galiette added. “It is our honor to host this great event highlighting HBCUs in our area and beyond. We hope this can be a great day for our community both on the diamond and off.”
The Kentucky State baseball program also hopes the game will bring light to their home field problems as a 2023 storm damaged Alumni Stadium beyond playability. The Thorobreds are raising money through their “Return To Play” campaign.
