51s RETURN TO CASHMAN FIELD FOR EIGHT-GAME HOMESTAND AGAINST ALBUQUERQUE AND TACOMA FROM APRIL 23 – MAY 1; JERSEY NIGHT (SATURDAY, APRIL 23); SMOKERS STRIKE OUT 13TH ANNUAL SCHOOL DAY GAME (TUESDAY, APRIL 26); BUDWEISER DOLLAR BEER NIGHT (THURSDAY, APRIL 28); FIREWORKS-STAR WARS NIGHT (FRIDAY, APRIL 29)
The Las Vegas 51s professional baseball team of the Pacific Coast League (PCL), Triple-A affiliate of the 2015 National League Champion New York Mets, will open an eight-game homestand on Saturday, April 23 against the Albuquerque Isotopes, Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, at Cashman Field at 7:05 p.m. The four-game series against the Isotopes will conclude on Tuesday, April 26. The next scheduled off day for the PCL is Wednesday, April 27. Las Vegas will then host the Tacoma Rainiers, Triple-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, in a four-game series from Thursday-Sunday, April 28 – May 1.
The 51s, under fourth-year manager Wally Backman, are currently on an eight-game Northern California road trip that will conclude on Friday evening against the Sacramento River Cats, Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. Las Vegas is 3-3 on the trip (2-2 vs. Fresno; 1-1 vs. Sacramento).
The 51s organization have the proud distinction of being the longest enduring franchise in the history of professional sports in the state of Nevada.
2016 ATTENDANCE: In 6 dates (two rain outs), Las Vegas’ total is 24,100 for an average of 4,017. The “home opener” crowd on April 7 vs. Fresno had a season-high attendance of 6,232. The Las Vegas franchise has reached the 300,000 plateau in “home” attendance in all 33 seasons (1983-2015). The all-time attendance total now stands at 11,001,829. The Las Vegas franchise welcomed the 11-millionth fan (Brian Johnson) during the opening homestand on April 14 vs. Sacramento.
Jersey Night/Las Vegas Sign will be presented in the series opener against the Isotopes on Saturday, April 23. The first 2,500 fans through the gates will receive the jersey inspired by the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign!
Game two of the four-game series on Sunday, April 24 will feature a matinee contest at 12:05 p.m. on Bark in the Park day, presented by Sit Means Sit. Special seating section for dogs and their owners will be located in the “Left Field Berm.” Vaccination proof is required before entering Cashman Field.
“Smith’s Value Menu Monday” will be featured on April 25 at 7:05 p.m. Monday “home” games will feature a “Value Menu” for the eighth straight season! The 51s and Aramark have teamed together for discounted food items on Hot Dogs, Popcorn, Peanuts, Cracker Jacks and Pretzels for just $1.00 per item.
The 51s organization on Tuesday, April 26 will present Smoker’s Strike Out 13h Annual School Day Game, sponsored by Anderson Dairy & Blue Bunny Ice Cream with a field trip to 5th grade students in the Clark County School District for the special start time of 10:35 a.m. The game will mark the finale of the four-game series vs. Albuquerque.
Over the past 12 seasons, a total of 110,223 fans have attended the morning games. Last season (May 13, 2015), a crowd of 9,045 attended the game between Sacramento/Las Vegas (W, 5-1). The 51s hosted Tucson in the inaugural “school day” game on May 6, 2004, before a crowd of 4,224.
The Tobacco Awareness Program, through the Clark County School District, is an important event that takes place prior to the “School Day” game that serves to educate the young students on the dangers of cigarette smoking.
“The school day game has become a tradition and is a great event for the fifth grade students,” 51s President/COO Don Logan said. “The kids have a great time annually and the game serves as a fun and educational experience for the students with both the Tobacco Awareness Program and the opportunity to watch the 51s play baseball.”
Albuquerque’s roster features one of the top 10 prospects in the Colorado organization, according to Baseball America: Top prospect: Right-handed pitcher Jeff Hoffman (No. 4).
Budweiser Dollar Beer Night will then be presented on Thursday, April 28 in the opener of the four-game series against Tacoma at 7:05 p.m. Dollar Beer Night will be featured at every Thursday home game during the 2016 season. Proper identification and wristbands are required for dollar beer night.
A spectacular post-game “Fireworks” Show, presented by The Orleans & Gold Coast, will be featured in game two of the series on Friday, April 29 at 7:05 p.m. on Stars Wars Night!
Game three of the four-game series on Saturday, April 30 at 7:05 p.m. will feature Alien Logo T-Shirt Night, to the first 2,500 fans through the gates (open at 6 p.m.).
The finale of the eight-game homestand against the Rainiers on Sunday, May 1 will feature “Little League Day #2” at 12:05 p.m. Selected 51s players will be available to sign pre-game autographs for the Little League teams in attendance. In addition, all children will have the opportunity to “Run the Bases” at the conclusion of the contest (with proper shoe attire).
Tacoma’s roster features one of the top 10 prospects in the Mariners organization, according to Baseball America: Outfielder Boog Powell (No. 9).
The 51s will broadcast all games on Lotus Broadcasting on NBC Sports Radio AM 920 ‘THE GAME’, which will carry live all 144 regular season games. Also, all games will be available on the 51s website (Major League Baseball Advanced Media, MLBAM) at www.LV51.com. Russ Langer, the 10-time Nevada Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association (NSSA), is in his 17th season behind the microphone calling 51s baseball.
All 51s games (home & away) will also be broadcast on MiLB.TV via LV51.com.
Following the homestand, Las Vegas will embark on an eight-game road trip beginning on Tuesday, May 2 in El Paso, Texas against the Chihuahuas, Triple-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres. The four-game series will conclude on Thursday, May 5. The 51s will then travel back to Sacramento, Calif., to face the River Cats in a four-game series from Friday-Monday, May 6-9.
Tickets for all 51s home games can be purchased at the America First Credit Union Box Office at Cashman Field. The box office is open Monday-Friday (non-game days) from Noon to 4:30 p.m. Tickets can also be purchased through Ticketmaster (1-800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com). Ticketmaster outlets are located at selected Smith’s Food & Drug.
The individual game tickets for the 72-game home season are priced at $11.00 (reserved, $12.00-Day of Game); $14.00 (plaza, $15.00-Day of Game) and $16.00 (field, $17.00-Day of Game) & the blue dugout seats at $30.00. The traditional $2.00 discount for Military personnel is offered on plaza, field and reserved seats throughout the season except for the “Fireworks Extravaganza” on Monday, July 4 (all seats priced at $16.00-presale & $17.00-Day of Game for this special event).
Season tickets and mini-plan packages (11, 22, 36-game plans) are available by calling the 51s office at (702) 798-7825.
Official licensed 51s team merchandise is available on the “Team Shop” section of the website at www.LV51.com.
– Visit the Las Vegas 51s on the Internet at www.lv51.com –
– Visit www.MiLB.com – the official site of Minor League Baseball –
