Las Vegas hosts OKC and Colorado Springs (May 21-28)
LAS VEGAS: The Las Vegas 51s professional baseball team of the Pacific Coast League (PCL), Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets, and the 2013 & 2014 Pacific Southern Division Champions, will open an eight-game homestand on Thursday, May 21 against the Oklahoma City Dodgers, Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, at Cashman Field at 7:05 p.m. The four-game series against the Dodgers will conclude on Sunday, May 24 at 12:05 p.m. Las Vegas will then host the Colorado Springs Sky Sox, Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers, in a four-game series from Monday (Memorial Day) - Thursday, May 25-28, all games at 7:05 p.m. The 51s will begin a stretch of 16 straight games against the American Conference from May 21 - June 5.
Las Vegas, under third-year manager Wally Backman and the 2014 PCL Manager of the Year, are currently on a brief four-game road trip (1-2 record) in the Pacific Northwest against the Tacoma Rainiers, Triple-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, that will conclude on Tuesday morning. The PCL has a scheduled off day on Wednesday, May 20.
The 51s have the third-best record in Triple-A baseball (30 teams) with a 25-14 record (.641) behind Oklahoma City (26-12, .684) and the Round Rock Express (25-13, .658). The Columbus Clippers have the best record (23-15, .605) in the 14-team International League.
The 51s organization have the proud distinction of being the longest enduring franchise in the history of professional sports in the state of Nevada.
2015 ATTENDANCE: In 15 dates, Las Vegas' total is 90,139 for an average of 6,009. The 51s began the 2015 "home" season with back-to-back sellouts on April 17 (11,007) and April 18 (9,928). The "home opener" crowd on April 17 of 11,007 was the largest in the 33-year franchise history (10,622 - inaugural home opener on April 10, 1983 vs. Salt Lake City). The Las Vegas franchise has reached the 300,000 plateau in "home" attendance in all 32 seasons (1983-2014) and the all-time attendance total now stands at 10,734,348.
The opener and the finale of the eight-game homestand on Thursday, May 21 and May 28 will feature Budweiser Dollar Beer Night. "Dollar Beer Night" will be presented at every Thursday home game during the 2015 season. Proper identification and wristbands are required for dollar beer night.
A post-game "Fireworks Show," presented by The Galleria Mall & First Command will be featured on Friday, May 22 at 7:05 p.m. on Military Appreciation Night, honoring military personnel to celebrate Memorial Day Weekend.
Softball Game - Friday, May 22 from 5 to 6 p.m.
Taking the field prior to the start of the 51s game will be two softball teams consisting of Air Force active duty, reserve, retired, and military supporters from all over the Southwest United States. Collectively, the players have deployed over 50 times to more than a dozen countries in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and other smaller contingencies protecting American freedoms. Both teams support the Wounded Warrior Athletics (WWA) organization and are humbled to honor the wounded veterans in the audience this Friday.
Wounded Warrior Athletics (WWA) is a nonprofit organization that was started by two active duty Air Force members and is presently ran by these two active duty members along with two Wounded Warriors. The mission of WWA is to provide rehabilitative experiences through golf, softball, scuba diving and family inclusive opportunities for wounded veterans from EVERY conflict in an effort to improve the quality of life for these American heroes. Through these programs, WWA has helped improve the mental and physical conditions (i.e. coordination, balance, muscle memory and stamina) of each Wounded Warrior returning home from combat. Additionally, Wounded Warrior Athletics provides education and awareness of the hidden illnesses like Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) that our service members battle with every day. If fans would like to know more about this local program, visit the website at www.wwathletics.org for more information on each of these programs and the Wounded Warriors themselves.
Game three of the series against the Dodgers on Saturday, May 23 at 7:05 p.m. will feature 51s Camouflage Jersey Night, sponsored by Smith's, to the first 2,500 fans through the gates (open at 6 p.m.) on USO Las Vegas Night.
Oklahoma City's roster features three of the top 10 prospects in the Dodgers organization, according to Baseball America: Top prospect, shortstop Corey Seager; outfielder Scott Schebler (No. 8) and left-handed pitcher Chris Reed (No. 9).
The opener of the four-game series against the Sky Sox on Memorial Day (May 25 at 7:05 p.m.) will feature Smith's Value Menu Monday. Monday "home" games will feature a "Value Menu" for the seventh 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.
Colorado Springs' roster features one of the top 10 prospects in the Brewers organization, according to Baseball America: right-handed pitcher Taylor Jungmann (No. 10).
The 51s will broadcast all games on Lotus Broadcasting on Sports 920 (AM) 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 nine-time Nevada Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association (NSSA), is in his 16th 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 "All Tennessee" road trip beginning on Friday, May 29 at Nashville against the Sounds, Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland A's. The four-game series in the "new" First Tennessee Park (10,000) will conclude on Monday, June 1. The 51s will then travel to Memphis to face the Redbirds, Triple-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, in a four-game series from Tuesday-Friday, June 2-5.
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 $15.00 (field, $16.00-Day of Game) & the blue dugout seats at $25.00. The traditional $2.00 discount for Military personnel is offered on field, plaza and reserved seats throughout the season except for the "Fireworks Extravaganza" on Saturday, July 4 (all seats are priced at $15.00 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.