Someone once told me that baseball was the most boring sport to watch live. And I, admittedly not the biggest sports person, was appalled by their misguided statement. What’s not to love? The smell of sizzling stadium food? A satisfying gulp of cold domestic beer? A leisurely-paced ballgame and some good-natured trash talking goes a long way, even for someone who isn’t sports-savvy. Las Vegas Ballpark proves it.
“When you come to a game here, it’s non-stop entertainment—we’ve got music going throughout and on-field entertainment during the innings,” says Erik Eisenberg, the Aviators’ vice president of ticket sales. “The game on the field is almost secondary.”
There’s been a lot of talk lately about building an on-Strip baseball stadium in the coming years. But since 2019, the Las Vegas Ballpark, located just east of Downtown Summerlin, has been the beating heart of local baseball. Home to the Aviators, the local minor league team and Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland A’s, LVB is a family-friendly oasis that’s surprisingly affordable, offering wholesome outdoor fun—it’s where baseball fans or fans of a good time have found their fix since the park’s very first pitch.
During a recent visit to watch a faceoff between our home team and the Sacramento River Cats, I was immediately taken by the buzz of just being there. I got a kick from the smell of cut grass, the announcer over the intercom giving highlights, and the crowds of people of all ages zipping around, all seemingly incapable of colliding with each other despite their baseball cap-shaded eyes.
Post-pandemic, the Aviators have been steadily building up their attendance with events for a variety of crowds. They’ve introduced various themed nights, including country, ‘80s and Marvel; they offer $2 beer nights on Thursdays; send up post-game fireworks on Fridays. They even allow dogs into the park every Wednesday. And with tickets starting at just $14, getting out there is a no-brainer.
Food at the ballpark is an attraction in itself, from Le Lana’s chocolate-dipped bananas to the signature Aviator burgers at the Flight Deck, featuring a rotating selection of opponent-themed burgers each series. Crunch Time offers gourmet nachos served in a souvenir baseball helmet. And there are hot dogs good enough to give Costco’s famous wieners a run for their money.
“There’s not a bad seat in the house,” Eisenberg assures. And considering the ballpark’s 10,000-person capacity and my own on-site investigative work, he’s right. Your choice of seats go beyond which base you’d like to sit behind—the park offers upper level stadium seating, club and suite accommodations and grass lawn seating. Oh, and did we mention there’s an exclusive field-facing pool beyond the outfield wall? The 14-seat area is almost always booked solid but is worth checking for availability.
Vegas continues evolving as a sports town, and stadiums are popping up seemingly everywhere. But the Las Vegas Ballpark isn’t just a venue for watching a game; it’s a showcase of how Vegas can still offer something both affordable and luxurious with locals in mind. So grab some friends and family, put on your favorite baseball cap and enjoy this no-frills American pastime at its best.
“Minor league sports can provide a great experience for cheaper prices,” says Eisenberg. “Even though you’re not seeing major league baseball players, you’re seeing the up-and-coming stars.”
LAS VEGAS AVIATORS Remaining home games at Las Vegas Ballpark: Aug. 1-4 vs. Albuquerque, Aug. 13-18 vs. Oklahoma City, Sep. 3-8 vs. Round Rock, Sep. 17-22 vs. El Paso. Tickets at ticketmaster.com.
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