By Alan Snel
LVSportsBiz.com
LVSportsBiz.com photos by Daniel Clark and J. Tyge O’Donnell
Reporting contributions by Cassandra Cousineau
Las Vegas baseball fans poured into a new $150 million gem of a ballpark Tuesday, with the re-branded Aviators Triple A baseball team inaugurating a venue that has been years in the making.
They walked the 360-degree concourse that was dotted with upgraded food offerings, took a look at the swimming pool plus bar just beyond center field and soaked up the swanky 22 suites and club level. Attendance was announced at 11,036.
Aviators President Don “Donnie Baseball” Logan said it was great to see so many of his friends share the ballpark’s opening with him after he worked so long to find a viable replacement for aging and outdated Cashman Field.
“This is about getting it right for the fans,” Logan said during an impromptu press chat in PR director Jim Gemma’s office.
Logan said the 360-degree concourse gives fans “destinations in the ballpark” and “it has the feel of a MLB stadium.”
The local tourism agency, the beleaguered Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), gave $80 million to the Aviators’ owner, Summerlin master developer Howard Hughes Corporation, for the ballpark’s naming rights deal. That’s why a ball yard attracting locals is called Las Vegas Ballpark.
There were plenty of “aviation” theme references from the “Spruce Goose” kiddie mascot and the literal jet-packed aviator who arrived amid blue and orange smoke onto the field during the peppy pregame activities. Hailey Dawson, fitted with a robotic hand courtesy of UNLV, threw out the first pitch — something she has done in all 30 Major League Baseball parks.
The game was an official sellout and the first pitch, for the record, was tossed at 7:14 p.m. amid 75-degree weather and gusty winds. Sustained winds were at 38 mph by the third inning and 8:15 p.m.
Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak, who collected a groundbreaking shovel from this ballpark site in February 2017, was on hand for the pregame ceremonies, along with the new LVCVA head, Steve Hill. Here’s Sisolak below, with Hill on the right, flanked by the LVCVA omnipresent showgirls.
It was so windy by the third inning that most of the fans evacuated their seats and white pieces of paper were swirling in the left field corner, leading Southern Nevada Hall of Fame sportswriter Steve Carp to quip, “It looks like Shea Stadium — where’s Cleon Jones?”
Before the winds cleared the seats, fans explored the new ball yard. The hometown Aviators, now the Triple A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, defeated the Sacramento River Cats, 10-2.
Food was a big deal, with downtown Tenaya Creek Brewery coming up with an Aviators ale and stadium concessionaire Levy Restaurants’ Minor League Baseball partner PSC (Professional Sports Catering) offering upscale ballpark dishes.
Las Vegas’ newest sports venue advertises “Elevated Classics.” Baseball fans Shandra, Claudia, Shell, and Liz were the benefactors of job perks from a local corporation, Health Care Partners. Claudia touted the new offerings. “I was born and raised in Las Vegas. We’ve never had ballpark food like this.” The group was in line for a traditional servings of hot, candied almonds and peanuts.
Another Vegas native, Jim, brought relatives from Chicago to opening night. “You can tell how advanced it is. We have been dying for a major sports experience in this town. We have good nights, but the Aviators really stepped up for a minor-league team.” Jim was deciding between a Streamline Dog, an all-beef Hebrew National hot dog on a potato bun, or a piping hot vat of build-your-own nachos.
In addition to traditional offerings with a twist like Red Rock tots, a crispy and sweet alternative to the childhood favorite, the culinary lineup includes a black bean burger for plant based diners in the crowd. Celebrity chef Giada de Laurentiis joins Strip veteran Brian Howard, whose Sparrow + Wolf can be found in the park’s VIP section. Add local favorites like The Goodwich, Ferraro’s Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar, Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop, Me Gusta Tacos, Tenaya Creek Brewery and Modern Mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim and there really was something for every appetite. With prices ranging from $5 to $12 for most selections, a trip to the new park won’t break your bank account.
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