On Friday night September 4, the Fresno Grizzlies began their final series of 2009. The four game series in Reno would put an end to their twenty five game stretch without a day off. It would also wrap up a three and a half week set of games that included twenty one road games.

As a lifetime Giants fan, it has been great for me to watch 3A games this year as a season ticket holder for the Reno Aces. I had forgotten how much fun minor league ball can be. The atmosphere is much more intimate, and the level of communication with the players and Coaches reminds me why I love baseball. We selected our seats in the first row of the first base side so that we could visit with the opposing players and coaches. We have spoken with Coaches and players including Rene Latchman, Eric Young Jr., Howie Kendrick, Brandon Wood, Sal Fasano, Dan Ortmeier, Randy Messenger,Scott Munter, and others from the visiting 3A teams.

During the last home stand with the Grizzlies in Reno, Mrs. NVSFG and I were able to talk baseball with First Base Coach and Former Player Hensley (Bam Bam) Meulens during the games. Each game we talked with him about his career, the Grizzlies, and the Giants in general. My younger daughter was pregnant at the time and he gave us a signed ball for our yet to be born grandson.

At the start of series on Friday evening, Bam Bam walked over to our seats, said hello, asked how we were doing, how was our grandson, and basically wanted to catch up on what had happened since he had last seen us. It kind of blew me away that he would remember us, and that he would go out of his way to see how we were doing.

Enough chatter, back to the games this weekend. As most of you have know by now it was a terrible series for the Grizzlies. The looked and acted tired, and honestly looked like they were ready to go home. As tired as they were, most of the players were very loose, laughed, joked and talked with the fans in our area during warm ups each day. On Friday night Freddy Sanchez was working his rehab stint. He took time to talk and sign autographs for a large number of fans.

During this homestand, Bam Bam walked over spoke with us each inning. Mrs. NVSFG told him that for all of the games she had attended during her life, she had never gotten a bat. After Matt Downs broke his bat in the next inning, he taped it up and hand carried it over to her seat. Because she had told him that I was his adopted Dad on McC, Downs signed it after the game. As he was leaving the field he turned around after a loss, and walked back to sign the bat. As much as I love the Giants and would rather see the "Big Club" play, this weekend was the most fun I have had at a baseball park in a long time. So much for all of the chatting. On to the pictures from today's game and the weekend.

Brett Butler signed this 1990 Giants card before today's game.

Bam Bam signed this Rookie card on Friday night

A signed bat from my son. Mrs. NVSFG says I can have it if she dies.

Kevin Frandsen trying to decide if baseball is the right career choice for him. I asked him if he ran over Sabeans dog or spit in Bochy's cap.

Matt Downs and Kevin Frandsen looking for a way out of Fresno

Three guys who are tired of being on the road.

Your friend and mine Joe Martinez.

Jake Wald trying to figure out how to get a hit in Reno.

Bam Bam and my son listening to their last national anthem for a while.

Our seatmates actual son Luke, throwing out the first pitch for today's game.

Adam Witter, Pat Rice, and Steve Hammond. Let's get this show on the road.

Kevin Frandsen base hit.

Matt Downs fights off an inside pitch for a base hit. Two on , one out !

Adam Witter strikes out to end the inning, leaving two runners stranded. Just like the big club !!

New Guys Below

David Maroul 3B . This dude looks like a ball player.

Jesse Shriner C

Skyler Strosmoe RF. Had to check that spelling.

Steve Palazzolo Sighting ! Dude is a freaking giant, and that fastball sinks like a mafia guy with cement shoes on.

David Maroul fields the ball to throw out Cole Gillespie>

Newly acquired D'Backs prospect Cole Gillespie grounds out off of Palazzolo

Clay Timpner Base Hit !

Clay Timpner catches a fly ball in the 8th

Final Inning and Jake Wald is ready to go home.

The Grizzlies/Aces series began Friday night. I support my local guys (and professional sports in Reno)but with the Grizzlies in town, all bets were off. I put on my Grizzlies fitted home cap, Mrs. nvsfg put on her Grizzlies visor and her "I see Orange People" Giants sweatshirt and we were offf to the game.

As we arrived at the game I ran into a City Councilman that I have worked with over the years on youth Sports programs. He took one look at our gear, smiled, shook his head, and walked over to greet us. He points to my hat with a quizzical look and I said " You have known me for ten years, you know I'm a Giants fan, you can't be surprised ?."

Seeing the youngsters (semi-youngsters ?) up close was pretty cool. Living here in Reno I haven't seen a Grizzlies game since I moved from the Central Valley fifteen years ago. Our seats are close and it was nice to talk with a few as they warmed up. Grizz ended up with the win 9-5, won Saturday, Sunday and are going for the sweep on Monday. On to the pics:

Recognize This Guy ? He had a nice laugh when I asked him how Velez could be on the MLB roster. Did he have pictures of Sabean in a compromising position ?

Bowker stretching out.

My adopted son. Came over and said "Hi Dad " LOL.

My son's autograph.

Jesus Sighting.

Rohlinger and Timpner.

My Son at the plate.

Sadler talking with Bam-Bam after ripping a nice single down the RF line.

Whiteside's HR swing.

Downs with the double, yes !!

The sun sets on the Aces chances for a win.

Big Inning for the Grizz.

Who's that skinny man with the flat brim hat.

The first Jeepney in Reno

Update: We were at the game on Mothers Day with my younger daughter and her husband. One of our seatmates made two of his four seats available so we could bring them. A very nice gesture on his part.

After Friday night's game I did a little research on Grizzly 1B Coach Hensley Muelens. Found out his nickname was "Bam-Bam". Mrs. nvsfg and her friend got his attention by sayin "Hey, Bam-Bam how you doing today ?" That got a huge smile and they talked with him throughout the Saturday game that I was unable to attend. On Sunday, he brings an autographed game ball, walks over gives it to my daughter (who is pregnant), because Mrs. nvsfg told him that she had already purchased Giants gear for the baby. "Bring him up right" he said. New Pics Below:

Jesus flirting with Mrs. nvsfg. One of the few autographs he gave. She called out to him and said "Hey Guzman, your Mom said you have to sign my hat today for Mothers Day" LOL. It worked.

Nestor Rojas. Where do the Giants find these "square" Catchers ? Didn't get to see him hit, but a pretty nice guy.

This is a pretty happy group of guys. In a four game series the Grizz scored 43 runs. Pretty sure they are looking forward to coming back to Reno in September. I know I am.

Last night the Reno Aces ( Diamondbacks AAA) played the first home game in the long awaited return of professional baseball in Reno, NV. The starting pitcher was none other than former short term Giant Travis Blackley.

Season Tickets cost me about the same as my three annual pilgrimages to the mother ship, and I figured what the hell, it's professional baseball, sort of. As a Giant fan, I could not sit on the home side, so I selected the best seats I could find, first base side, first row, and the other season ticket holders are great. All Giants fans, and one A's fan next to us. About halfway through the game, Mrs. nvsfg said "Hey these guys are pretty good. Too bad I can't cheer for them". Myself and our seat mates agreed that we would cheer for and support the local boy's except when they were playing "Our Guy's"

The park dimensions are huge, Left-field line, 339 ft., left-field alley, 370; center field, 410; right-center field, 423 right-field alley, 386; right-field line, 340, and contain elements of many major league parks Left Field and Left Center is about a 75 ft green monster type High Wall Edit: The "Wall" seems to be closer to 45 or 50 ft , and Right Center is deeper than AT&T. The dimensions and wall scared the hell out me until I thought about the 5000 foot altitude.

All in all a good night. Blackley went five and The Aces won 11-1, with no HR's hit in the new park. I have three favorites already of the local guys. Josh Whitsell (1B), Josh Wilson (SS), and Trent Oltjen (RF).

The Grizzlies are in town from May 8-11, and I will post pics of the bastard sons of the San Francisco Giants when they hit town. Below are few select pictures from "Opening Day".

About 45 minutes prior to game time.

View From My Seats. Can talk to the players during warm ups. The Bee's guys were pretty cool, but still a little subdued about Adenhart. Most of these guys knew him pretty well.

Let's get this thing rolling. First Game ever, Home Opener and of course the Mayor(s), City Council, Owners, and MLB had things to say. Mostly Thank You, Thank You, please come and spend money.

First Pitch !! Strike One.

First Base Coach would not stay in the box. Kept moving around and blocking people’s views. Everyone in our section endlessly heckled him.

With a number of MiLB affiliation changes at the end of 2008, the Aces will play in Reno with the season home opener on April 17. Despite their lame team name and affiliation with the D-Backs, it is professional baseball, as opposed to the guys who were managed by Hackman . I have purchased a season ticket package (two seats, front row, 1B Dugout) that cost me less than my annual pilgrimage down to the 'Bay for three to four games each season. Their schedule includes eight home games against the Griz, as well as the rest of the fifteen PCL teams

Today, the Aces named Brett "Bugsy" Butler the new Manager, and Joel Youngblood the hitting instructor.

One of the most interesting things about the former Tucson Sidewinders is the longtime connection with the Giants. Former Giants Players seem to have found a home with this organization.

From Wikipedia" After the MLB expansion that added the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix and Tampa Bay Devil Rays, the Toros moved to Fresno, California as the Fresno Grizzlies. The Phoenix Firebirds relocated to Tucson, briefly became the Tucson Toros (1997), and then became the Sidewinders (1998), the Triple-A affiliate of the new Diamondbacks. This was accomplished by what amounted to a "swap" in ownership in 1997, with Firebirds owner Martin Stone purchasing the Toros and Toros owner Rick Holtzman receiving interest in the Firebirds. The Tucson team retained management and staff primarily from the Toros, and traces its history from the Toros rather than the Firebirds. The Phoenix Firebirds had played from 1958 through 1997 as an affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. The franchise joined the Pacific Coast League as a charter member in 1903 as the San Francisco Seals, relocating to Phoenix when the major league New York Giants moved to San Francisco. Seals alumni include Joe DiMaggio"

2008 Aces Roster (YTD) Comment Starters: Can these guys win with this roster ? I am excited about 3A Baseball in Reno. Are you ? What is the otherworldly connection between this team and the Giants ? Does it signal the End Times ? Should this have been a FanShot ?