The 10th anniversary season of Kansas City T-Bones Baseball officially begins tonight at beautiful CommunityAmerica Ballpark as your T-Bones host the Lee’s Summit Monarchs in the first pre-season exhibition game of the 2012 campaign.  With many of the same great staples of T-Bones baseball, as well as several new twists for the 10th anniversary celebration, the 2012 season is expected to be the best yet for the organization.

Tonight’s exhibition game features several new faces and a few familiar ones.  This will be your first chance to see new manager Kenny Hook in action.  Hook served as a bench coach in 2011 for then-skipper Tim Doherty, and now Hook takes the helm of a professional team for the first time in his lengthy baseball career.  Many of the names on the T-Bones roster will be new this year as well, adding to the excitement.

Meanwhile, well-known Kansas City legend and All-Star Royals second baseman Frank White joins the fold for 2012 as Hook’s first base coach, with tonight being your first opportunity to see him wearing No. 20 in T-Bones maroon.  On top of that, an all-time T-Bones great Jonathan Krysa returns to lead the Monarchs tonight.  A brilliant right-handed pitcher in the Northern League during his pro career, Krysa still holds many T-Bones career pitching records including appearances (90), innings pitched (547), and strikeouts (445).  His T-Bones career spanned from 2003-2007.

Plenty of great seats are still available for tonight’s game.  Game time is set for 7:05 with gates opening 90 minutes prior to the first pitch.  For all single game, mini plans, and season ticket options, contact the T-Bones ticket line at 913.328.5640.  For group outings at CommunityAmerica Ballpark, call 913.328.5628.  Stay in touch with the T-Bones online at www.tbonesbaseball.com and through the team’s Facebook profile (www.facebook.com/#!/tbonesbaseball) for updates and special offers throughout the year.

Following tonight’s exhibition opener, the T-Bones are back in action at CommunityAmerica Ballpark tomorrow night for another 7:05 start versus the Kansas City Kansas Community College All-Stars.  Kansas City closes out the home portion of its exhibition slate with a doubleheader versus fellow American Association foes Lincoln and Winnipeg, beginning at 5:00 on Tuesday, May 15th.  The 2012 regular season home opener is on Thursday, May 17th, as the T-Bones take on the New Jersey Jackals in interleague play with the first pitch set for 7:05.