Q:
I just read, in LVA's Today's News, about the "Las Vegas 51s" baseball team. I didn't know about this team, and might want to see a game during a future trip to LV -- especially if I'm losing heavy at video poker. I assume that I can find out some info about this team on Google, but I'd like to know if there are any more casino-sponsored "specials" like this one at the Golden Gate. Also, do you have any info about other amateur/semi-pro/minor league/school sports teams’ games that LV visitors might be interested in attending?
A:
The Las Vegas 51s (formerly the Las Vegas Stars) play in the 10,000-seat Cashman Field stadium from early April to early September. The 51s are a AAA minor-league team (MiLB) in the Pacific Coast League.
The Stars started playing in Las Vegas in 1983, when they moved from Spokane; till 2000 they were affiliated with the San Diego Padres. The team morphed into the 51s in 2001 and changed affiliations to the Los Angeles Dodgers. They changed affiliations again last year and are now a minor-league team for the Toronto Blue Jays.
The 51s play almost every day during the season, roughly a week at home and a week on the road. The games start at 7:05 p.m.; on Sundays in April, May, and June, they play at 12:05 p.m. & 7:05 p.m., then switch back to the relative cool of the evening in July and August.
And yes, casinos do, on occasion, joint promote with the 51s, such as the Golden Gate deal you mention (the first 300 members to visit the Golden Gate's slot club booth on April 24 received a free ticket to that day's game, including a free shuttle to and from Cashman Field). But there's no way to know in advance; you just have to keep your eyes open when you're here.
Tickets cost between $9 and $14, so even without a promotion, it's a reasonable way to get some entertainment and fresh air if you need to take a veepee break. Order online at the 51s website.
As for other similar events, here's a list.
- A variety of sporting events takes place at UNLV, where students play football, men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball (women), men’s and women’s soccer, baseball (men), and softball (women). Call 702/739-3267 or 866/388-3267 for ticket information. You can also email them at [email protected].
- The Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl, an ESPN Regional Television owned-and-operated event, takes place at Sam Boyd Stadium just before Christmas every year; this bowl game is between the first selection from the Mountain West Conference vs. the fourth or fifth selection from the Pac-10 Conference. For tickets, call 702/732-3912 or visit the Web site at lvbowl.com.
- The Las Vegas Wranglers play in the Orleans Arena during hockey season. For more information, visit the website at lasvegaswranglers.com.
- The Professional Bull Riders Tour takes place in late October-early November at the Thomas and Mack.
- Of course, the National Finals Rodeo is the big one, played at the Thomas and Mack Center the first week and a half in December. Tickets sell out fast, so order early by calling UNLV Tickets at 866/388-3267 Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. You can also find out more information about the event and tickets online at nfrexperience.com.
There's also NASCAR in March and plenty of boxing, Ultimate Fighting, Professional Bowlers Association events during the year. We list all the bigger events in our Special Events section, where you'll also find all the related parties and other festivities and promos that go hand-in-hand with the big sports fixtures.
Update 14 May 2010
Reader feedback:
"Tell them to check the Golden Gate in particular, it is much more likely to have a 51s deal. Derek Stevens owns both the 51s and half of the Golden Gate, and he likes to do cross promotion."
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