Greater Nevada Field

Greater Nevada Field
Greater Nevada Field in April 2009
Map
Former namesSierra Nevada Stadium (planning)
Aces Ballpark (2009–2015)
Location250 Evans Avenue
Reno, Nevada
United States
Coordinates39°31′44″N 119°48′29″W / 39.529°N 119.808°W / 39.529; -119.808
OwnerSK Baseball
OperatorSK Baseball
Capacity9,013[7]
Record attendance10,520 (July 4, 2016)
Field sizeLeft field: 339 ft (103 m)
Center field: 410 ft (125 m)
Right-center field: 424 ft (129 m)
Right field: 340 ft (104 m)[2]
SurfaceNatural grass
Construction
Broke groundFebruary 25, 2008; 16 years ago (2008-02-25)[1]
OpenedApril 17, 2009; 15 years ago (2009-04-17)[2]
Construction cost$50 million[3]
($71 million in 2023 dollars[4])
ArchitectHNTB
Project managerMarx Okubo Associates, Inc.[5]
Structural engineerNishkian Menninger[5]
Services engineerRHP, Inc.[6]
General contractorDevcon Construction[2]
Tenants
Reno Aces (PCL/AAAW) 2009–present
Reno 1868 FC (USLC) 2017–2020

Greater Nevada Field is a Minor League Baseball venue located in Reno, Nevada, in the Western United States. Opened on April 17, 2009, it is the home of the Triple-A Reno Aces of the Pacific Coast League. Greater Nevada Field is on the north bank of the Truckee River and welcomes over 500,000 ticketed fans per year.

History

The drive to build a stadium in the Reno-Sparks area began in 2002, with Sierra Nevada Baseball's purchase of land near the Sparks Marina. In 2003, state legislature passed a Washoe county rental car tax surcharge to partially finance the new stadium. However, Sierra Nevada Baseball's plans fell through when they were unable to secure the private financing portion of construction, as well as the cost to purchase and relocate a Triple-A team.

In 2007, SK Baseball stepped in and proposed a new stadium plan, redeveloping an eastern portion of downtown Reno. They entered into an agreement with the county in May 2007, secured financing, and bought the Tucson Sidewinders with the intent of moving them to Reno by the 2009 season.[8]

Ground was broken on February 25, 2008, for what was tentatively called Sierra Nevada Stadium. It was constructed on an accelerated schedule, with only 1 year, 50 days between breaking ground and opening day.

On April 17, 2009, the Reno Aces played their first home game in Aces Stadium, to an over-capacity crowd of 9,167. They beat the Salt Lake Bees, 11–1.

The stadium hosted the 2013 Triple-A All-Star Game in which the International League All-Stars defeated the Pacific Coast League All-Stars, 4–3.[9] Reno's Matt Davidson won the Home Run Derby.[10]

On September 16, 2015, the United Soccer League announced that Reno had been selected to receive an expansion franchise. Reno 1868 FC began play in 2017 at Greater Nevada Field and was owned and operated by the same management as the Reno Aces until the club folded at the conclusion of the 2020 Season.[11]

On March 17, 2016, the Aces and Greater Nevada Credit Union announced a 15-year agreement for naming rights, changing the name of the stadium from Aces Ballpark to Greater Nevada Field. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.[12]

Features

Greater Nevada Field has an official capacity of 9,100, with 6,500 fixed individual stadium seats, and the rest through general admission. The park has a berm beyond right field, and has standing room surrounding the entire field. In addition, there are two "party zones" with picnic table seating, 22 luxury skyboxes, a 150-person club suite, and two 15-person luxury dugout suites located immediately behind home plate.[13] Due to the flexibility of party zones, skyboxes and large general admission areas, game attendance can regularly be above the official stadium capacity. Four concession stands are staggered throughout the stands. Great Basin Beer is served on premises.

At elevation, Greater Nevada Field has a very deep field, 339 ft (103 m) at its shallowest point and 424 ft (129 m) at its deepest point. Therefore, home runs are less likely to occur, and line drive triples are more likely. The elevation of the natural grass playing field is approximately 4,500 feet (1,370 m) above sea level and is aligned northeast by north. Trent Oeltjen hit the park's first triple on opening night, but the first home run came the following night.[14] Josh Whitesell hit it in the bottom of the first inning, and went on to hit the park's first grand slam in the bottom of the 7th inning.[15] Due to the high elevation and generally dry climate, prior to the 2014 season a humidor similar to the one installed at Coors Field in Denver was built to try and reduce the hitter's advantage.[16]

For Reno 1868 FC matches, the field was converted into an all-natural grass surface by laying sod over the infield from third base to halfway between first and second base. The pitcher's mound and home plate were covered with tarps, and temporary sideboards and endboards were erected from left field to right-center and along the right field wall. The field was oriented in an east-west layout, with one goal in front of the Aces bullpen in right field and the other goal near Sections 101-102 along the left field line.

There are over 10 locations to park at Greater Nevada Field. Greater Nevada Field offers valet parking, suite-level parking, and parking for those with a disabled parking permit directly across the stadium. The Basin Street nine-story parking structure, National Bowling Stadium, and downtown casinos are also options for patrons.[17]

Upstairs at Greater Nevada Field

On September 15, 2009, construction began on phase 2 of the stadium, the Freight House District. The grand opening coincided with the opening day of the Reno Aces 2010 season. Now known as "Upstairs at Greater Nevada Field", the upper level contains an outdoor bar and stage area for concerts, Bugsy's Sports Bar (which overlooks the left field line), Good Hops (formerly Duffy's Ale House) and the 250 Lounge. The lower level contained Arroyo Mexican Grill until 2017 and Red's Broken Bat BBQ from 2017-2019. The space is currently vacant.

  • The ballpark, as seen from the right field berm
    The ballpark, as seen from the right field berm
  • Main entrance, team shop and ticket window
    Main entrance, team shop and ticket window
  • Home plate and right field seating
    Home plate and right field seating
  • Stadium construction on February 13, 2009, two months before opening day
    Stadium construction on February 13, 2009, two months before opening day

References

  1. ^ Voyles, Susan (February 25, 2008). "Big Turnout for Stadium Groundbreaking". Reno Gazette-Journal. Retrieved April 18, 2009.
  2. ^ a b c Mock, Joe. "Aces Ballpark". Baseball Parks. Archived from the original on September 20, 2011. Retrieved July 16, 2011.
  3. ^ "Reno Aces Baseball Stadium". City of Reno. Archived from the original on April 6, 2010. Retrieved April 18, 2009.
  4. ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Reno Aces Ballpark & Freight House District". Engineering News-Record. December 1, 2010. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
  6. ^ "Entertainment". RHP, Inc. Archived from the original on January 14, 2010. Retrieved September 22, 2011.
  7. ^ "Welcome to Aces Ballpark!" (PDF). Minor League Baseball. April 10, 2010. Retrieved April 4, 2015.
  8. ^ "Reno Aces Baseball Club". Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority. Retrieved July 21, 2011.
  9. ^ "Triple-A All-Star Game Results (2013–2017)". Triple-A Baseball. Archived from the original on April 23, 2021. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  10. ^ "Triple-A All-Star Home Run Derby Winners". 2017 Pacific Coast League Sketch & Record Book. Pacific Coast League. 2017. p. 162.
  11. ^ USLChampionship com Staff (November 6, 2020). "Reno 1868 FC to Cease Operations". USL Championship. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  12. ^ "Aces Ballpark is now Greater Nevada Field". KOLO. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
  13. ^ "Suite & Group Seating Options at Aces Ballpark". Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on April 2, 2009. Retrieved April 19, 2009.
  14. ^ "Reno Aces Scoreboard: April 17, 2009". Minor League Baseball. April 17, 2009. Retrieved April 19, 2009.
  15. ^ "Reno Aces Scoreboard: April 18, 2009". Minor League Baseball. April 18, 2009. Retrieved April 19, 2009.
  16. ^ "First Game Balls Placed in New Baseball Humidor". MiLB.com. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  17. ^ Communications, Reno Aces (March 15, 2009). "ACES PARKING MAP". Reno Aces. Retrieved February 20, 2014.
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