Blog entries

Bobby Korecky, Rusty Ryal Named PCL All-Stars

Erik Flippo — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:00:00 +0100

from milb.com:

Korecky and Ryal, the first Triple-A All-Stars in Aces franchise history, are two of 28 players chosen to represent the Pacific Coast League in the 22nd-annual Triple-A All-Star Game. Players were selected by fans, media and managers from each club.

Korecky, 29, has been the anchor of a solid Reno bullpen throughout the first two-plus months of the season. Reno's closer leads all Arizona Diamondbacks minor leaguers with 12 saves on the season through the end of June...

Transactions: Aces Gain Whitesell, Lose Romero, Carlin

Erik Flippo — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 13:00:00 +0100

From rgj.com:

While Reno regained the services of fist [sic] baseman Josh Whitesell the past four games, it lost leading hitter Alex Romero on Friday. The Venezuelan outfielder had his contract purchased by the Diamondbacks after Eric Byrnes broke his hand Thursday night.

Romero was hitting .348 with Reno and led all of minor-leaguer [sic] baseball in hits with 97.

Catcher Luke Carlin also was recalled during the road trip, and was replaced on the roster by Orlando Mercado from...

Aces Above .500 for First Time at 37-36

Erik Flippo — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:00:00 +0100

From milb.com:

Josh Whitesell blasted a two-run home run in the seventh inning Thursday night, unlocking a 6-6 tie and lifting Reno to its sixth-straight victory, an 8-6 win over Portland at PGE Park.

The Beavers posted three runs in the fifth, tying the score at six apiece. In the seventh, though, that deadlock was undone, as Whitesell hammered a Jonathan Ellis offering deep over the wall in right to put the Aces on top 8-6. The Aces bullpen would make the lead stand up, and...

MyTwitFace (Social Networking Night) June 29

Erik Flippo — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:00:00 +0100

The Reno Aces will be hosting MyTwitFace (Social Networking Night) on Monday, June 29th. If you would like discounted tickets please click here and enter the promotional code "twitter" to receive the $10.50 Outfield Reserved ticket. The MyTwitFace group will be in sections 101 & 102.

There's more information at the event page on Facebook.

Singles Night June 28 at Aces Ballpark

Erik Flippo — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:00:00 +0100

The Reno Aces are hosting Singles Night at Aces Ballpark on Sunday, June 28th. Tickets are $30.00 and include a ticket to the game, a wristband for access to the exclusive Singles Night Party area on the Plaza Overlook and 2 drink tickets.

Click here and enter the promotional code "single" to purchase the Singles Night ticket.

There's more information at the event page on Facebook.

Aces, 51s Kick Off Silver State Diamond Challenge Tonight

Erik Flippo — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:00:00 +0100

Aces press release:

It’s been more than a century since shots rang out between the north and south, but this year the rivalry is resurrected in the form of home runs, strikeouts and RBIs as the Reno Aces and Las Vegas 51s face off in Triple-A Pacific Coast League play.

The Las Vegas 51s and the Reno Aces have developed the Silver State Diamon...

"Batter Up" is Official Ace Cream Flavor

Erik Flippo — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 13:00:00 +0100

Tahoe Creamery gave away scoops of "Batter Up," the new official ice cream flavor of Aces Ballpark, at today's game. The flavor will be sold in pints along with vanilla and chocolate at Aces home games for the rest of the season.

Here again were the three candidate flavors:

Batter Up — A cake-batter ice cream with a chocolate buttercream fudge ripple Aces Açai — An açai berry ice cream tha...

Free Ice Cream at Sunday's Game

Erik Flippo — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 13:00:00 +0100

From Tahoe Creamery:

The official flavor will be announced on Sunday, June 14th, where 2,000 lucky fans will receive a scoop of the winning flavor. The Official Aces’ flavor, along with Tahoe Creamery’s delicious vanilla and chocolate ice cream offerings, will be sold in pints at the Aces’ concession stands for the remainder of the season.

Josh Whitesell Over Mendoza Line with D-Backs

Erik Flippo — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:00:00 +0100

From STATS:

Whitesell had consecutive two-hit games for the first time in his career with a double and a single in Tuesday night's 9-4 loss to visiting San Francisco.

Analysis: Whitesell, who is batting .217 for 17 games, is 6 for 13 (.462) during a four-game hitting streak, and he has four doubles and seven RBIs over the last six contests.

The D-Backs recalled Whitesell on May 31 when they placed Chad Tracy on the 15-day DL.

Whitesell Back With Aces

Erik Flippo — Thu, 21 May 2009 13:00:00 +0100

The Diamondbacks optioned 1B Josh Whitesell back to the Aces May 20 after a cup of coffee in the show.

ESPN:

He was 3-for-26 (.115) after tearing up Triple-A. Mark Reynolds and Chad Tracy will continue to get the time at first base for Arizona. Lefty Doug Slaten was recalled to join the bullpen, while it's unclear who will be sent down to clear space for Friday's expected starter Billy Buckner.

Whitesell went 0-for-4 in tonight's 7-2 home loss to the New Orleans Zephyrs.

Texas Loves the Aces!

Erik Flippo — Wed, 20 May 2009 13:00:00 +0100

Well, at least Houston Chronicle writer Norman Chad does. In an amusing column about Reno, he waxes poetic about his new "favorite franchise in all of sports."

Anyway, Reno just became even more of an urban haven for Couch Slouch. The Arizona Diamondbacks' longtime Class AAA Pacific Coast League affiliate, the Tucson Sidewinders, moved at the start of the 2009 season and are now the Reno Aces — how great of a name is that? — playing in the city's new downtown ...

Sample and Vote for Official Ice Cream Flavor May 24

Erik Flippo — Wed, 20 May 2009 13:00:00 +0100

Tahoe Creamery press release:

Do you want to vote for the official ice cream flavor of the Reno Aces? Tahoe Creamery, the Reno Aces and Fox 11 Family Day have partnered together to give away three flavors of ice cream to everyone who attends the Reno Aces game on May 24. Tasters will have the chance to vote for their favorite to become the local team's official Ace Cream.

At the Sunday afternoon game, 4,000 lucky fans will be able to sample "Batter Up," a cake-batter ice...

Agustin Murillo Suspended 50 Games for Drug Violation

Erik Flippo — Tue, 19 May 2009 13:00:00 +0100

From the RGJ:

Aces infielder Agustin Murillo was suspended for 50 games on Friday, after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug.

Major League Baseball's office of the commissioner said Murillo tested positive for Clenbuterol, a violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

...

Clenbuterol is an anti-asthma medication, which is legal in the U.S. but banned by baseball, that when used in high doses also can be an anaboli...

Why Does a Curveball "Break"?

Erik Flippo — Fri, 15 May 2009 13:00:00 +0100

The First Prize winner of the 2009 Best Visual Illusion of the Year Contest shows how an object moving from our main field of view into our peripheral vision appears to to change direction abruptly.

This fascinating illusion seems to explain why the batter perceives a curveball to break when its trajectory is actually a smooth arc.

See a demonstration here.

Whitesell Called Up to D-Backs

Erik Flippo — Sun, 10 May 2009 05:00:00 +0100

From the story on MLB.com:

The D-backs have a new starting first baseman.

The team recalled Josh Whitesell from Triple-A Reno on Wednesday and manager Bob Melvin said the 27-year-old will play every day in the foreseeable future.

Whitesell takes the roster spot of Tony Clark, who was placed on the disabled list with a strained ligament in his right hand, but more noteworthy, he takes the starting position of Chad Tracy.

Whitesell, who hit .328 with 36 double...

Aces Ballpark Featured on NPR Today

Erik Flippo — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 05:00:00 +0100

This wonderful radio story from "All Things Considered" really captures the feel of attending a game at Aces Ballpark. Definitely worth a listen.

Reno Ballpark Update is now The Aces Edge

Erik Flippo — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 05:00:00 +0100

With the completion of construction on Aces Ballpark, Reno Ballpark Update is changing its mission, joining forces with the new Aces Edge magazine to become the online home of that publication's featured content. The first story, "The Aces Are Loaded" by Marty Gitlin, is on our front page.

The site is now mirrored at www.renoacesedge.com.

What Was Your Opening Week Experience?

Erik Flippo — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 05:00:00 +0100

If you went to any of the games at Aces Ballpark during the first homestand, we'd like to hear about your experience. Post a comment and let us all know what it was like to witness the spectacle of Triple-A baseball in Reno.

Sneak Peek at Food and Drink

Erik Flippo — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 05:00:00 +0100

RGJ.com blogger LaurenG spoke to the food concessionaire for Aces Ballpark and got a peek at the menu:

Regional Executive Chef Lou Bastian’s team will make their own pizzas from scratch, and smoke their own pork on site. They’re offering a juiced up hot dog — the Jalapeno cheese foot-long char dog — and an Aces Cheese Steak with barbecued onions and pepper jack cheese. There are spicy hot links and spicy carnitas tacos. Oh, and garlic parmesan french fries.

<...

The Ballpark is Ready for Friday

Erik Flippo — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 05:00:00 +0100

The Aces held a "soft opening" event for season ticket holders at the ballpark Tuesday evening. The University of Nevada baseball team worked out on the field while guests enjoyed free hot dogs and hot chocolate. Temperatures hovered around freezing and snow flurries filled the air at times, depressing turnout somewhat.

The good news:

The w...