Dortch resigns as general manager

RENO - The Silver Sox announced a major front-office change Tuesday afternoon.

Dwight Dortch, the team's general manager and also a Reno councilman, resigned his position. The team has elevated Kurt Jacey, the team's assistant manager, into Dortch's role.

"It has been an honor working for the Reno Silver Sox and the Golden Baseball League," Dortch said in a press release. "Reno has shown tremendous support for the team, and I believe the Reno Silver Sox have a very bright future in the Truckee Meadows."

The move caught league officials by surprise.

"I was a little surprised," said Golden Baseball League CEO Dave Kaval. "I spent a lot of time there. We weren't planning on anything here. We don't do things (move people) during the middle of the season. He didn't care about the timing since he resigned."

Jacey said he found out about his promotion earlier in the day.

"It was pretty shocking," Jacey said. "It's a big change in the middle of the season. It definitely took me by surprise.

"It really doesn't change things that much. Titles don't mean a lot. We're trying to get as many fans in here as we can."

In his 12th year of organized baseball, Jacey brings plenty of experience to the job. During his first 10 years, Jacey was general manager for franchises in Bangor and Adirondack in the Can-Am League. He was also chief operating office of Old Time Sports, the parent company of Adirondack and the Evansville Otters of the Frontier League.

"I'm honored to be promoted to general manager," Jacey said. "The community has truly embraced the Silver Sox, and I look forward to taking the fun quotient to new levels with exciting and wacky promotions."

The team, which will have the San Diego Chicken a.k.a. World Famous Chicken on July 11, also will have a Bring Your Mother In-Law For Free Night on Aug. 6. A booster club also is being formed.

In another move, the team has named game announcer Mike Murray as the director of promotions.

TRYOUT TIME

Former Nevada pitcher Adam Colton was given a tryout by the Silver Sox.

Colton, a right-hander, was clocked at 82 during his throwing session. He won't be signed.

POSITION CHANGE?

Newly acquired catcher Joe Melton threw a bullpen session prior to the game, and consistently hit between 85 and 88 miles-per-hour.

"We may have to take a look," manager Les Lancaster told Melton as he left the bullpen to go back into the lockerroom.

Lancaster has been operating with a nine-man staff most of the season, and that's not good with the amount of games teams play each week. Off days are few and far between in the GBL.

ROSTER MOVES

Reno is expected to add former UNLV outfielder Ryan Kowalski to its roster today.

Kowalski hit .336 for the Rebels last year, and has good speed.

•Contact Darrell Moody at dmoody@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1281