ROUND ROCK, Texas - Eric Blanton, the Manager of Grounds for the Reno Aces, has been named the Pacific Coast League's 2011 Sports Turf Manager of the Year, the league announced today.

The award was voted on by the 16 field managers in the PCL and is judged by the voters on criteria such as pregame setup for batting practice and infield practice, preparation and maintenance of all areas of the playing surface for the game, and professionalism of the grounds crew.

Since Aces Ballpark opened in 2009, Blanton has consistently maintained a playing field among the best in all of Minor League Baseball. The 2011 award is Blanton's second with Reno, with his first being earned in 2009. Blanton also earned a Presidential Commendation from the PCL in 2010 after he finished second in the balloting.

Blanton and his crew were named in the top-three in 11 ballots, including five first-place votes. Last year's winner, Chris Schlosser of the Iowa Cubs, finished second in the voting while Garrett Reddehase of the Round Rock Express finished among the top-three finalists for the second consecutive year with third-place.