Las Vegas hopes to reap the benefits of World Series

Tim Graham

Friday, Aug. 21, 1998 | 10:49 a.m.

It might not be normal, but to many it seems natural.

The American Legion World Series, familiar to towns like Roseburg, Ore., Fargo, N.D., and Boyertown, Pa., is taking place in Las Vegas this year.

The prestigious eight-team tournament, featuring some of the country's top high school baseball players, starts today and runs through Tuesday at Cashman Field.

When American Legion officials selected last year's site three years ago, they refused to consider Las Vegas and opted for Rapid City, S.D. It took a second sales pitch from Fred Darling, a longtime local Legion baseball coach and contributor, to convince them.

"There are a lot of reasons this is a good place," Darling said. "In Las Vegas the rooms are cheaper, the meals are reasonable, the (airline) connections are great, the weather is good, Cashman Field is a great facility.

"Everything you look at, Las Vegas is an ideal place to have it. And why wouldn't we want something like that here? I think we do."

If advance ticket sales are any indication, the American Legion is happy to be here. According to program coordinator Jim Quinlan, more than 2,000 out-of-town tickets were sold even before the eight-team field was set.

"We usually have only 1,200 out-of-town fans for the whole tournament," Quinlan said. "We know through our research we only had 1,500 in Roseburg (in 1996).

"This year we know, before the tournament teams were even announced and the first pitch was thrown, we'll have at least 2,000."

The reason for the high number of advance tickets is the city itself.

Quinlan claimed the World Series averaged around 4,000 fans a game in recent years. He predicts Las Vegas will do even better simply because people look for an excuse to visit.

"There are Legionnaires who have never been to a World Series who are coming just because it's in Las Vegas," Quinlan said.

Also helping this year's turnout will be a local entry. Bishop Gorman's team qualified by winning the Region 8 title earlier this week.

Gorman's presence will mark only the seventh time in the World Series' 73-year history the host site featured a hometown squad.

"That always nearly doubles the attendance," Quinlan said. "In places like Fargo and Roseburg we always had a good following -- and that was without a local team involved.

"We know daytime games will be sparse, but the evening games we anticipate nice crowds."

Attendance, combined with a new playoff scheme, could make an economic impact on Las Vegas, Quinlan claimed. The World Series formerly used a double-elimination format. This year it will impart a round-robin setup, guaranteeing each team at least three games.

"We usually generate $2 million for the local economy wherever we play," Quinlan said. "This year we could double that.

"Our research indicated that with double elimination, 26 percent of parents stick around for the rest of the tournament after their teams are eliminated. With the round robin, parents get more familiar with the city, and about 70 percent decide to stay and enjoy themselves."

In regard to the players' pleasures, Quinlan is not concerned they will succumb to Las Vegas' adult-oriented glitter. The teams are staying off the Strip at Sunset Station, and staff members have been added to make sure the players honor curfews.

Quinlan noted there were no problems last year in Rapid City, where there are several casinos.

At Cashman Field, alcohol will not be sold. But the beer and casino advertisements on the outfield wall will not be covered up.

If everything runs smoothly, Darling hopes the World Series will return, possibly on a regular basis.

"What we're looking for is an endorsement or something from American Legion baseball on a national level," Darling said. "We're looking for their blessing. We want them to say 'Maybe we ought to come back here again. Maybe we ought to come back on a frequent basis.'"

American Legion officials, both nationally and locally, have entertained thoughts of making Las Vegas the permanent site for the World Series, although talks have been strictly informal.

Darling said that with the help of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, Las Vegas could be to the Legion event what Williamsport, Pa., is to the Little League World Series and Omaha, Neb., is to the College World Series.

"I could see it building into a bigger thing," Darling said. "There are millions of retired veterans around the country, and I'm not so sure a lot of them wouldn't want to come out here and enjoy baseball, enjoy Las Vegas. There are people who want to see this thing expand."