Carson City’s Governor’s Field was the place to be Wednesday as local baseball fans of all ages got a chance to speak with and have autographs signed by Major League Baseball hometown all-star heroes Bob Ayrault, Charlie Kerfield, Darrell Rasner and legendary Carson High Senator Coach Ron McNutt.
Wednesday’s meet and greet event was also a celebration of all things Governor’s Field including a ribbon cutting ceremony as the Chamber’s Leadership Institute Class of 2026 officially dedicated their class project, which revitalized the area with landscaping, signage, dug-out and field upgrades and shaded seating around the picnic area.
The class raised its goal of $50,000 to do it all, along with their countless hours volunteering. The event also highlighted two art murals created by Reno artist Erik Burke. See video of the ribbon cutting below.
With the meet and greet line nearly extending into the Governor’s Field parking lot, local adult fans and school-age ball players lined up to ask questions, and swap stories about the former ballers journeys, paths and road to the majors. Among the guests of honor was CHS Coach Ron McNutt who did a pinch hit for Matt Williams, who was unable to attend at the last minute due to unforeseen circumstances.
Ayrault, who played for the Senators and graduated Carson High in 1984, went to UNLV and then onto MLB with the Phillies, Mariners and Marlins. Wednesday’s event was thrilling as he said the improvements to Governor’s Field was a long time coming.
“To support Carson City and our field here is long overdue. As our hometown players here, we’ve got to do what we can to support our town and our field,” said Ayrault.
Former MLB pitcher Charlie Kerfeld, a 1981 Carson High graduate who also played for the Senators and spent most of his years with the Houston Astros, took questions from adults and kids about playing in the majors and getting there from playing ball for the Senators.
The same went for Darrell Rasner, a 1999 Carson High graduate and Carson City native who pitched for the Washington Nationals and New York Yankees. As school kids pitched their own questions to him about baseball, Rasner was happy to oblige and sign autographs.
For the players and many fathers at the event, seeing Coach McNutt again brought back fond memories of their own days out on the field with one parent saying Coach McNutt “paved the road” for baseball in Carson City with the most wins ever in Nevada high school baseball history.
For the kids who didn’t bring their own baseball cards with them for autograph signing, the Carson City Chamber handed out full-sheets of ball cards with the players on them.
Kids were also treated to free ball caps commemorating the special day and free Flocchini hots dogs were served by Kiwanis of Carson City and the Carson City Sheriff’s Office.
