— Michael Smyth / Tahoe Onstage
Reno Aces fans can don their nightcaps a half-hour earlier than they had in seasons’ past, with most of the night games in 2020 starting at 6:35 p.m.
The announcement on Monday also comes with news about a rare doubleheader this season — both games will be seven innings — and home games with four teams not traditionally slated to visit Reno.
The Aces will begin the year with a 1:05 p.m. first pitch on Opening Day for the first time in team history on Thursday, April 9, against the Sacramento River Cats, the 2019 Pacific Coast League champions and Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants.
“With the amount of tradition in the game of baseball and in the city of Reno, we felt like our fans deserve a traditional Opening Day first pitch,” Aces General Manager Emily Jaenson said in a press release. “We can’t wait to open the season under the warm Northern Nevada sun against our Division rival Sacramento.”
The Aces, Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, have 43 night games scheduled at 6:35 p.m while eliminating the 7:05 p.m. first pitches.
Saturday games in April and May will be scheduled for 4:05 p.m. All Sunday games will start at 1:05 p.m. The Aces also will host their seventh-consecutive game on July 4 against the Tacoma Rainiers with an Independence Day celebration after the contest.
— Tim Parsons / Tahoe Onstage
The Aces and Salt Lake Bees (Los Angeles Angels) are scheduled for a doubleheader on Saturday, July 11, at Greater Nevada Field. Game 1 is at 1:05 p.m. followed by Game 2 at 6:35 p.m., both seven-inning affairs.
“Our goal is to be the premier affordable family fun event in town. The fans have spoken. They want earlier game times and we took that into major account when planning this year’s schedule.” Jaenson said.
Reno’s 2020 schedule features some new opponents coming to Greater Nevada Field.
The Round Rock Express, Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros, face the Aces in a three-game series starting June 2 at 6:35 p.m. The San Antonio Missions, Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers, have a four-game series against Reno on June 5 at 6:35 p.m.
The Wichita Wind Surge, Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins, will visit Reno during a three-game series on Aug. 5 at 6:35 p.m. Miami’s Triple-A club were previously called the New Orleans Baby Cakes.
During the final stretch of the regular season, the Oklahoma City Dodgers, Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, face the Aces during a four-game series on Aug. 8 at 6:35 p.m.
The Aces’ 2020 campaign is right around the corner. Pitchers and catchers report between Feb. 11-14.
–– Isaiah Burrows
