LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Deion Sanders scored the first run at new Louisville Slugger Field, the $27.8 million downtown stadium that opened Wednesday night as the home of the Reds' Triple-A affiliate.

        A sellout crowd saw Sanders become the first Louisville RiverBats hitter at the park.

        Sanders drew a leadoff walk on four straight pitches against Norfolk Tides left-hander Bobby Jones. Sanders later scored on Chris Sexton's one-out single.

        “The facility is wonderful,” Sanders said after batting practice.

        Sanders had not played baseball since he left the Reds in 1997 to play football full-time for the Dallas Cowboys. He signed a minor-league contract with the Reds earlier this year.

        Sanders had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in January and was hobbled by a swollen ankle during spring training. But he said Wednesday he felt fine and planned to “make some noise” for the RiverBats.

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