Page 64 - Las Vegas Golf & Leisure SPRING 2018

[ FE A T UR E ]

L A S V EG A S 51S
B A SEB ALL CL UB

In 1983, the Spokane Indians moved to Las
Vegas and the original Las Vegas Stars de-
buted. In 2000, the aliens invaded Cashman
Field and the team changed names to the 51s,
in homage to the secretive Area 51 outside of
Las Vegas. Souvenir sales skyrocketed.

Over the years, the 51s have been the
Triple-A minor league team of the San Diego
Padres, Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodg- Rendering of Las Vegas Ballpark
ers, and currently the New York Mets. While
the 51s have a deep history, a compelling
future is unfolding because in 2019 they are
moving to Downtown Summerlin and into a
shiny, new 10,000-person capacity, state-of-
the-art ballpark adjacent to City National
Arena, the Golden Knights’ practice facility.
The 51s and new Las Vegas Lights soccer club
will share Cashman Field in 2018.
“The new stadium is something that I have
been working on since 1999, so it’s the culmi-
nation of a lot of hard work and effort by a lot
of people,” says Logan. “I know it’s going to
give our fans a venue that is much more com-
fortable and conducive to watching a game
due to so many new amenities. Cashman was
great for a period of time, but like anything
else, the technology, the expertise and the
way that the game is presented changes and
our fans deserve to have a state-of-the-art
stadium to watch professional baseball.”

Johnson says the impending move won’t
come without some sadness, but the bright
future and one more banner year at Cashman
is exciting on many levels.

“Leaving Cashman, even with its problems,
will be bittersweet,” Johnson says. “Lots of
adult baseball fans saw their first game as a
child there, and generations have enjoyed
games there together. However, with us
moving on, it will give the Lights a chance to
make Cashman their home and bring soccer
to the city. For the players, the new stadium
will be the best in minor league baseball and
could rival some major league stadiums. In-
door cages, large clubhouses, player lounges,
quality gym and excellent training space are
some of the player amenities. For the fans,
they won’t know what has hit them. There will Cashman Field
be a beautiful club level, suites, group party Photo by Tom Donoghue

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