KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The Kansas City T-Bones and manager Andy McCauley announced today that pitching coach Rick DeHart has agreed to return to the club for the 2009 season.

DeHart returns for his second season as pitching coach for the T-Bones.  After playing 16 seasons of professional baseball, including a stint with the Kansas City Royals in 2003, DeHart spent the 2008 season as the pitching coach for the T-Bones.  Originally signed as a nondrafted free agent by the Montreal Expos in 1992, DeHart pitched 63 innings in the major leagues in his career.  He made his major-league debut on July 16, 1997 at the age of 27.

“It’s great when you can maintain the same coaching staff,” said McCauley, “especially after the success we enjoyed last season.  Rick does a great job with our pitchers and really came up big down the stretch.  We’re glad to have him back.”

DeHart started his coaching career in 2007 as a player-coach for former T-Bones skipper Al Gallagher and the St. Joe Blacksnakes.  He was then signed by the T-Bones on August 7, 2007 and finished the season in Kansas City.  In his second appearance with the T-Bones, DeHart took a no-hitter into the ninth inning at the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks before surrendering a single to begin the ninth.

“The opportunity to return to Kansas City for another season was too good of an offer to turn down,” said DeHart.  “Kansas City is a great place to play and coach.  I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to return for a shot at repeating.  It should be another fun season.”

Season tickets, group tickets, mini-plans and All-You-Can-Eat plans for the 2009 season are on sale now.  Individual tickets for regular season and exhibition games are scheduled for a late-March release.  For more information, call 913-328-5618 or visit www.tbonesbaseball.com