By Alan Snel of LVSportsBiz.com
The Independence Day eve ballgame started at 6 PM, so the shadows got an hour head start for today’s minor league game between the Las Vegas Aviators and the Rock Rock Express, the Triple A affiliate of the Texas Rangers.
The game drew a monster-sized crowd to Las Vegas Ballpark, the ballyard with the naming rights deal funded by the Las Vegas tourism agency but used mostly by locals.
The game was a sellout and the walking traffic on the main concourse is thick with fans, especially at the food grill down the third base side and near food and drink stands.
So even through there are empty seats, the occupants of those grandstand seats are walking around the 360-degree concourse buying food, drinks or merchandise.
The Aviators said attendance was 11,368 — the third largest crowd in Las Vegas Ballpark history.
Lots of fans picked the concrete outfield for their ballgame photo.
The $150 million ballpark is very different from Cashman Field in downtown Las Vegas, where the old 51s used to play.
The biggest change is the upgrade in premium experiences at a minor league ballpark where there are 22 suites, including one used by the aforementioned LVCVA tourism agency, and the large club area with a bar and buffet station. These photos below are the work of talented photographer J. Tyge O’Donnell.
The one-on-one contact opportunities between the players and the kids are available before games.
The Fourth of July is Monday and Sunday’s crowd was filled with kids. In fact, Francis the face painter known as the “Amazing Star Girl,” said she did a 140 kid paintings, a record.
The next Aviators home game is July 12.