i Went to a AAA Baseball Game Today, Sort Of

i finally go to go to a game at the renovated Cheney Stadium. 

Unfortunately, i went to this particular game (AAA Baseball).  It was one of the more boring baseball games i have ever seen.  There were only three hits for the hometown Rainiers to go with several walks.  The teams both played mostly disinterested baseball.  The starting pitcher Blake Beavin was missing his spot more often than hitting it (fastball was 90-93 MPH).  The Rainiers defense was iffy with 3 miscues - 2 by the shortstop (Kazmar) and one by the the third baseman (fielded the ball cleanly, couldn't throw it).  The final score of this snooze-fest was 3-0 for the Reno Aces of Diamonds. 

i can see why stat heads are enamoured with Dustin Ackley's command of the strike zone.  However, i wasn't really all that impressed with him.  His contact was mostly of the pull variety (a weak pop up and at least one decently hit grounder to the first base side).  i am kind of surprised that the pitchers aren't trying to abuse him with curves and sliders on the outside half of the plate like they do with so many other left handed hitters. 

Shin-Soo Choo is still probably the best player i have seen play for the Rainiers.

Much like the Mariners, the Rainiers are kind of a dull team.  They do have some mildly interesting players and no pitching.  i find Greg Halman to be the most interesting player on the current roster.  The guy has decent acceleration from first to second (kind of fast) and has some power, but often looks lost at the off-speed stuff.  In other words, he is the Rainiers' Pedro Serrano (with better speed and defense).   He struck out once at this game, but walked twice (which i hear is a really rare occurrence). 

Oh, the renovated stadium is kind of nice.  They added a decent video screen and luxury boxes to the stadium. Unfortunately, they also lowered the fences significantly.  They also moved the bullpens out beyond the left field wall.  Cheney Stadium was kind of an old dank-ish ballpark before - and i kind of miss that.  They also took out a lot of the roof overhang (where i like to go to avoid the sun).  It is always kind of strange to see people with clipboards and radar guns in the immediate area.