Baseball is the national pastime for a reason, and each pocket of the country has its own unique connection to the sport. To celebrate the 250th anniversary of this nation, we’re taking you on a summer road trip across the U.S. with Baseball in America, presented by Booking.com, 50 stories from all 50 states. Follow along here.
This story is excerpted from the Ballpark Guide for the home of the Triple-A Las Vegas Aviators. Read it in full here >>
Las Vegas' stature in the sports world has increased greatly in recent years, as the city is now home to the NFL's Raiders, the NHL's Golden Knights and soon will feature MLB's Athletics.
In 2028, the franchise is set to move into a brand-new, state-of-the-art retractable-roof stadium seating roughly 33,000 fans, rising on the former Tropicana site and officially bringing the Athletics and Major League Baseball to the Las Vegas Strip.
Prior to all those professional franchises making the move to Sin City, Minor League Baseball had been the highest-level athletic attraction in town. The Las Vegas Stars made their debut in the Pacific Coast League in 1983, the first of 18 seasons in which they served as the Triple-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres.
The Los Angeles Dodgers became the parent club in 2001, the same season in which the team changed its name to the 51s. This quirky numerical moniker, accompanied by space and alien-themed logos, paid homage to the alleged extraterrestrial activity happening at nearby Area 51.
The Stars/51s played at Cashman Field, the modern version of which opened in 1983, though the same site was originally the home of the Las Vegas Wranglers of the Sunset League dating back to 1948. This city-owned facility was considered state-of-the-art when it first became home to the Stars, but as the 21st century progressed, it was increasingly seen as a liability. Operational deficiencies combined with a lack of player amenities prompted a long and ultimately successful quest to build a new stadium.
Las Vegas Ballpark, located in the affluent planned community of Summerlin, opened in 2019. The new ballpark prompted a new team name: The Aviators. This appellation is an homage to the aviation exploits of Howard Hughes, a name that looms large at Las Vegas Ballpark. The Aviators, and Summerlin itself, are owned by the Howard Hughes Corporation. In 2024 the corporation's Seaport Entertainment Group was established as a separate company, and the Aviators now fall under that umbrella.
The new ballpark and team name were accompanied by a new parent club, the Athletics. Prior to that, Las Vegas had enjoyed affiliations with the San Diego Padres (1983-2000), Los Angeles Dodgers (2001-08), Toronto Blue Jays (2009-12) and New York Mets (2013-18).