New Las Vegas ballpark - finally

[Vegas Halo Fan]

It appears that Cashman Field, one of the biggest eyesores in the Pacific Coast League and one of the most inadequate facilities in all of AAA baseball, is finally on its way out. Last week the Las Vegas 51s were sold to Summerlin Las Vegas Baseball Club LLC - which will give those of you who are familiar with the Las Vegas valley an idea where the club is headed. The stadium will be built on land near the Red Rock Hotel/Casino near the 215 beltway and Charleston Boulevard on the city's northwest side. The park will be the centerpiece of an entire development complex, which will include a major shopping area and several restaurants. 

 

Good riddance to Cashman - the stadium with the batting cage in the parking lot, a clubhouse too small for one team being shared by two, and the game day ambiance of passing through the biggest homeless encampment in the city on your way to the game, before sitting on super-heated aluminum bench seats. The new ownership group plans to have the new stadium ready for the 2015 season, provided that no major hurdles surface.

 

Maybe now we will no longer be last choice when MLB teams are choosing AAA affiliates. We're with the Mets now because Buffalo wanted them out, and our agreement with Toronto ended at the same time. The Dodgers left town because the city never made a commitment to improving the facilities.

 

I would love to see the Angels move their AAA affiliate here when the new park opens or shortly thereafter. It would help to increase their presence in Las Vegas (which has far too many Dodger fans to suit me), and it would put any prospect or rehabbing major leaguer a 35-40 minute plane ride from being at the Big A.

 

Oh, and the goofy nickname has to go, too. Nobody here identifies with Area 51, and the whole alien thing is getting a little tired.

 

Story:

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2013/may/13/51s-sold-group-led-howard-hughes-corp/#axzz2UFamAHFi

[2112]

I guess this means AAA baseball is here to stay. I was really afraid Vegas would have no team or would be in A. Cashman is hideous, I had my car tagged there onc. Pissed me off.

[gurn67]

A MLB franchise in Vegas with a retractable domed stadium would be a goldmine.

[Nowani]

A MLB franchise in Vegas with a retractable domed stadium would be a goldmine.

 

This will be Arte's back up plan if he does not win the hearts of the LA region to his Angels. Our Angels will become the Vegas Angels.

[gotbeer]

A MLB franchise in Vegas with a retractable domed stadium would be a goldmine.

 

Yeah, that's the big question.  Will there be a retractable roof?  Because even if they move off the aluminum benches, it'll still be Africa hot in the summer.  

[pattimelt]

I went to a couple games there. It was miserably hot, even though the sun was down, it was still 109 at game time. By the time the game was over, it was after 11pm, and STILL over 100 degrees. Won't do that again, unless there's a roof. I don't know how the players do it. 

[Eric]

Cashman is in the heart of the part of the city you just don't go after dark unless you're looking for Crack, hookers, crack whores, or all of the above.  You can get VD in that part of town by just breathing the air.

 

Summerlin is a perfect spot right off the freeway there.  Easy access in and out from the 215.

[Mark68]

Yeah, that's the big question.  Will there be a retractable roof?  Because even if they move off the aluminum benches, it'll still be Africa hot in the summer.  

Don't know if they'd build a retractable dome for a AAA team, but I can see having a long overhang on the roof to cover much of the seats, and maybe some of those misters.

[gotbeer]

Don't know if they'd build a retractable dome for a AAA team, but I can see having a long overhang on the roof to cover much of the seats, and maybe some of those misters.

 

Wonder if they could make it like how Ceasars had their arena for a while.  I think it was like a canopy roof, but not really enclosed.  Think they built it when they had those outdoor hockey games in Vegas.  

[Eric]

The problem with having those long overhangs here in Vegas is that we get high winds out here so severe, and on such a regular basis, that it could pose a very real hazard if they tried to install permanent ones there.  They would have to be retractable, similar to those used at the Roman Colosseum 2,000 years ago.

[ScottT]

Bittersweet.  I have fond memories of watching Dallas McPherson strike out four times and seeing Derrick Turnbow in the bullpen. 

[Vegas Halo Fan]

Yeah, that's the big question.  Will there be a retractable roof?  Because even if they move off the aluminum benches, it'll still be Africa hot in the summer.  

 

So far there has been no artist's conception of the new ballpark or any design details, just a promise from ownership that it will be "the finest facility in AAA baseball." My guess is that the park will be built in such a way that it could be easily expanded to house an MLB team should that opportunity arise again. I don't know whether there will be a dome or retractable roof for a minor league club, but for MLB it would be an absolute necessity. I have been to games when it has been 110 or higher at first pitch, and that is with a 7:05 start. The heat is one big reason the team doesn't draw better here. I don't know how the players endure it, to be honest.