The Kansas City T-Bones and manager Tim Doherty have announced that former major leaguer and F.L. Schlagle High School alum Damian Rolls will be the team’s hitting coach for the 2010 season.

Rolls, 32, spent the 2009 season with the T-Bones, posting a .294/.386/.461 mark with 14 home runs and 46 RBI in 90 games with Kansas City.  He earned Player of the Week honors for the week ending August 16, 2009 and was selected to the 2009 Northern League All-Star team.

“Damian is a local guy that brings a great work ethic to the team,” said Doherty.  “He is a fan favorite with professional experience and hopefully this will help him begin his coaching career.”

Originally a first round draft pick (23rd overall) out of F.L. Schlagle High School in the 1996 amateur draft, Rolls signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers on June 9, 1996.  He spent four years in the Dodgers’ system before joining the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2000 where he made his major league debut on September 3.  He hit .248 in 266 career games with the Devil Rays, with arguably his greatest moment being a two-home run game against Roger Clemens on June 23, 2003.

The T-Bones begin their 2010 campaign in Gary, Ind. on May 20 and will host the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks in their home opener on May 28.  Season ticket packages and mini plans are available now by calling 913-328-5618.  For information on group outings, call 913-328-5623.  Single game tickets will go on sale in March.  Visit www.tbonesbaseball.com to stay up-to-date throughout the year.