Mavericks Stadium flourishing in Mojave Desert

In the middle of the Mojave Desert lies a baseball oasis. A spot where baseball fans can get away from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles and take their minds off the excitement of Las Vegas.

Mavericks Stadium is home to a Class A club, but it packs a lot of punch in its walls, with a capacity of 3,800. Located two hours South of Las Vegas, Mavericks Stadium shares land with more than 1,750 desert plant species.

Though the park isn't as state-of-the-art as its California League colleagues, it breeds loyalty among its fans.

"It's a 15-year-old park," said Mavericks assistant GM Monica Ortega. "But its still feels like new. The fans are so loyal, partly because of the setup of the park."

Along with The Diamond in Lake Elsinore, Mavericks Stadium is the only Cal League ballpark to sit on one level. Ortega said the single-tier structure allows the focus to remain on the game.

Fans can cheer on the High Desert Mavericks, Class A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals, while standing in line for concession, roaming the concourse or while sitting in one of Mavericks Stadium's open-air skyboxes.

The suites, located along the rear of the open concourse, are lined with brick and provide a breeze-filled view of the game. Suite-holders aren't the only ones enjoying the Mojave Desert's frequent winds, as the desert's cool air is known to swarm around the entire ballpark, balancing out hot desert nights.

"The weather's definitely a factor here," said Ortega. "Balls fly out of here because of the high altitude and the winds picking up. There's so many times a ball looks like the short stop will get to it and all of a sudden it's in left field."

Being home to thin air earned Mavericks Stadium the moniker, "The Coors Field of the Minors," according to Ortega. Weather ranges from 42 degrees in April and May to 110 degrees in August, allowing the Mavericks to play through it all.

The Hardball Café down the third baseline provides groups an alternative place to sit and watch the action. Those in the Café enjoy a unique view as its located just above the bullpens.

Beyond right field is Mavericks Stadium's large grassy knoll, which Ortega said is "always full of kids running around and rolling down the hill."

The Mavericks booster club plays a large part in supporting the squad. A booth manned by club members sits in the concourse to help fans get acquainted with the franchise.

Fans and booster club members have easy access to the young Mavericks as they exit from a door near the main entrance into the public parking lot. Ortega said the intimacy of the park allows for easy relationships to build between players and fans.

Concessions at Mavericks Stadium are traditional. Hot dogs, chicken sandwiches and beer are the top sellers. Ortega said the menu is based on one of California's biggest fast-food chains, In-N-Out Burger.

The successful burger joint offers good-old hamburgers and cheeseburgers but Ortega said the simplicity behind In-N-Out Burger is what drew the Mavericks.

"They don't have anything over-the-top," said Ortega. "It's just simple, but done right. Same with us, we have a simple menu but we do it right."