KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Kansas City T-Bones manager Andy McCauley have announced that hitting coach Tim Doherty will return for the 2009 season.

Doherty rejoins the T-Bones for his seventh season.  After being named bench coach by former manager Al Gallagher in Kansas City’s inaugural 2003 season, Doherty became the hitting coach following the departure of Darryl Motley.

“We’re very happy to have Tim back,” said McCauley.  “He’s a tireless worker who puts a lot of time into our player development.  He was an invaluable asset to our championship run.”

Since McCauley and Doherty joined forces in 2007, Kansas City has produced one of the most potent offenses in the league, scoring over 600 runs in each of the last two seasons.  No other Northern League team in the last eight seasons has matched that feat.  The T-Bones set new team records for runs (632), doubles (212), home runs (121), RBI (600), walks (407) and slugging percentage (.476) in 2008.  Kansas City became the first team in Northern League history to collect 600 RBI as a team.

“I’m looking forward to working with Andy for another season,” said Doherty.  “We’re ready to come back and defend our Northern League title.”