Aces, Wolf Pack will meet on the baseball field

RENO - The Reno Aces and the University of Nevada baseball team announced Thursday that the clubs would face in an exhibition game April 6 at Aces Ballpark.

"I've seen these games before and when those players from the university come out, they see themselves five years in advance and they go, 'This is what I aspire to,'" said Rick Parr, Aces general manager.

The venture is something that has been more than year in the making. Parr said the two teams had to find a date that worked for both and get approval from the Aces' parent club, the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Aside from getting Major League exposure for the players, a portion of the proceeds will go to the University of Nevada Dugout Club, which benefits the baseball program.

"The financial part of it is huge for us, and we're so appreciative," Nevada athletic director Cary Groth said. "But to be able to have an event like this for our community, for our student-athletes and for the Reno Aces and to really show people we all are partnering is probably worth much more. And I think in the long run it will be of more financial benefit at our park and hopefully at their park."

The rules for exhibition, which will be the first of what the teams hope are a yearly matchup, will be quite different than what baseball fans are used to. Considering the Wolf Pack (5-3) is in the midst of its season already and will open Western Athletic Conference play the week of the exhibition, only Aces pitchers will throw. Also, the format will be similar to Major League Baseball Spring Training in which pitchers are held to a pitch count. If the pitcher reaches the count number, which has yet to be determined, the inning will end no matter the situation.

Both teams also will use wood bats, which the Aces will provide to the Wolf Pack which uses aluminum bats during its season.

"It's an unbelievable opportunity for them to get a measuring stick as to where they stand and what it really looks like to have to face guys that have been in the big leagues, because there will be a number of them that have," Nevada baseball coach Gary Powers said.

Tickets for the game will be $7 and $13. Students will receive a discounted rate that has yet to be named. Tickets go on sale March 11 at Aces Ballpark or on the Web at renoaces.com.

The Aces will begin their season two days later on April 8 when they host the Fresno Grizzlies at Aces Ballpark.