The cheapest tickets available on secondary sites for the Aviators first game at the new ballpark were $140GETTY IMAGES
More than 11,000 fans turned out to the Triple-A PCL Las Vegas Aviators' home opener at their new ballpark in Summerlin, praising the venue for its "amenities, location and food," according to a front-page piece by Mike Shoro of the LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL. Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak welcomed the crowd last night at Las Vegas Ballpark "before a flight-themed pregame show complete with a fighter jet flyover out of Nellis Air Force Base." Winds of 30-40 mph "blew through the concourse" as the ballpark filled with fans, "blowing off promotional giveaway hats and whipping around debris" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 4/10). In Las Vegas, Ray Brewer noted many fans "congregated outside until the gates opened about 90 minutes before the first pitch, anxiously waiting for a first glimpse at the modern facility." Fans walked around the ballpark "taking photos -- of the outside pool, massive scoreboard and mesh seating." The game itself was "only half of the attraction," as seeing the new facility was "paramount." Tickets sold out "within minutes of going on sale," and the cheapest ticket available on secondary sites was $140. Many fans "left after a few innings because of high winds" (LAS VEGAS SUN, 4/10).
HIGH-WIND ADVISORY: In Las Vegas, Ron Kantowski noted the ballpark's lights "flickered on and off during the bottom of the second, which may not have had anything to do with the 40 mph winds." By the top of the third inning, the "beautiful Las Vegas Ballpark was two-thirds empty." Aviators President & COO Don Logan "worked nearly 15 years to bring a ballpark like this to town and experience the emotion of Opening Night, only to have a lot of it blow into left field with gourmet hot dog wrappers and other ballpark refuse." Logan said of the wind, "You control what you can control. I feel bad for the people. You saw it, it was packed. A lot of people showed up here tonight" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 4/10).
