The Louisville Bats have a new majority owner.Manhattan Capital Sports Acquisitions is taking a majority stake in the AAA minor league baseball team; the current ownership team will remain partners, according to a minor league baseball news release sent Tuesday morning.MC Sports is led by Stuart and Jerry Katzoff. The group also owns the Bowling Green Hot Rods, a class-A team, and the AAA Reno Aces.Bats President Gary Ulmer will stay in an executive position with the team and the team's management team will remain. In the news release, Ulmer said: "Our owners' group thought long and hard about the future, and ensuring that this organization continues to flourish for many more years. We know this partnership is the right one for the Bats. MC Sports is committed to minor league baseball and to bringing their expertise and resources to build on the great fan experience people have come to expect at Louisville Slugger Field."In a statement, Stuart Katzoff said he was "excited to have Gary Ulmer continue in his leadership role with the Bats. He also said: "We and our partners are thrilled about this great opportunity to further our commitment to the state of Kentucky and build upon Louisville's strong tradition of successful baseball." Ulmer and Louisville businessman Ed Glasscock bought the franchise, then called the Louisville Redbirds, in 1986, according to the news release. The Bats, affiliated with the Cincinnati Reds, play home games at Louisville Slugger Field in downtown.
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