LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Louisville Bats manager Pat Kelly is back for his fourth straight season with the team , and he joined WDRB Mornings Tuesday for a preview of the upcoming season. 

Kelly led the Bats to 75-73 record last year, their first winning season since 2011. This will be his 33rd season overall as a minor league manager.

Kelly said there are some things to be excited about, including some new talent in the outfield and on the pitching mound. 

"Like I say, everybody can't make that club in Cincinnati, so somebody's going to have to come down and play for us," Kelly said. 

The team set franchise records in nearly every category last season, and Kelly said there's a reason for those stats: "good players."

"What a difference last year to have those young guys come with that kind of talent," Kelly said. "You mix in a few veteran guys and all of a sudden the chemistry goes and you're scoring a ton of runs, and it's fun every night."

Kelly said there are some challenges associated with managing the pitchers because of restrictions from the Reds, who don't want prospective recruits wearing out their arms. 

That means a pitcher may need to be pulled from a game early, or not allowed to play at all. 

"We have a lot of rules for young pitchers," Kelly said. "Most starters early in the season are limited to 85 pitches. We can let them go to 100 once we get warmer weather. Relievers have all kinds of restrictions: they can throw two days in a row, if they throw more than 30 pitches they need a day off.

"So you're always working around those kinds of restrictions -- I don't want to take that guy out either.... You get a phone call in the middle of the game, 'hold these two relievers back because we might need them in Cincinnati.' So all of a sudden all the plans you made for that game you gotta redo. So it makes it interesting."

Opening night for the Bats is March 29, when they face the Indianapolis Indians. The game starts at 7:15 p.m. There will be $1 beer during Happy Hour and fireworks after the game. 

CLICK HERE for tickets and a look at the schedule. 

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