The Alexandria Aces celebrated with their host families, coaches, corporate partners and fans at the second annual Meet the Aces dinner June 26 at Union Street Public House.

"This is the best team we've ever had," said Aces owner Donald Dinan. "We are in our fifth year and are becoming a permanent part of the community and a summer tradition in Alexandria."

With Ryan Fannon acting as emcee for the event, Dinan, presenting sponsor Shawn McLaughlin and head coach Corey Haines thanked the crowd for their continuing support of the team.

"Without our host families and corporate sponsors, we wouldn't have the Aces," Dinan said. "And because of our enthusiastic fans in Alexandria and northern Virginia, our attendance is up."

Fannon noted that former Aces pitcher Kyle Zimmer was a first-round pick in the 2012 Major League Baseball draft, making him the highest drafted Cal Ripken League alum in league history,

"Kyle pitched for the Aces in 2010," Fannon said of Zimmer, who was drafted June 5 by the Kansas City Royals. "If that doesn't tell you that dreams can start here in Alexandria, I don't know what does."

For more information about the Alexandria Aces, visit alexandriaaces.org.