Fans soak up ‘Big League’ aura
Monday, April 3, 2000 | 10:24 a.m.
Of the thousands of men, women and children of all ages who descended upon Cashman Field to watch the five major league baseball games that made up Big League Weekend, hardly any seemed to mind the changing weather conditions.
On Friday, trash flew onto the infield, dirt swirled in the air and people struggled to keep their hats on, but it didn't dampen any spirits.
Groups of kids who missed school to attend Big League Weekend's opening day munched on popcorn, pretzels and other ballpark food while men and women sipped on what must have felt like Alaska-cold beer.
By Saturday, the wind had subsided. On Sunday, it was a near-perfect day for baseball, with temperatures in the low 80s.
"I've come to Big League Weekend every year they've had it," said Las Vegan Judy Ostroff. "My husband and I come to see the games. A lot of people are interested in baseball."
Would Ostroff, a Las Vegas resident since 1966, like to have spring training held in her hometown?
"Oh, God yes!" she exclaimed.
Las Vegas Stars president Don Logan is one of the key figures trying to lure as many as six teams to set up a spring training base here. Representatives from the Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas Rangers, Baltimore Orioles, Toronto Blue Jays, Houston Astros and Tampa Bay Devil Rays recently met with Logan to discuss the possibilities.
Based on the turnout over the weekend, support from fans seems to be decent. Crowds ranged from 5,000 to 8,000 for the five games.
Chicago White Sox fans Heather and Scott Coleman flew from Indiana with their 14-year-old son, Joshua, and 11-year-old daughter, Jessica, for a vacation that coincided with the weekend's festivities.
Scott Coleman said the family used to go to spring training to see the White Sox when they trained in Florida. But when the team made Tucson, Ariz., its spring training site, they stopped going.
Traveling to Las Vegas was much more appealing.
"We said, 'Tucson? Nah,' " added Heather Coleman. "Las Vegas sounded more fun."
"It's convenient," Scott Coleman said. "We're only 15 minutes from our hotel and there's lots to do in the meantime."
George Hilan, his wife Sofia and his mom Carol moved to Green Valley from Chicago about six years ago. These longtime White Sox fans did make the trip to Tucson, which did not impress them.
"If you're coming from somewhere else for spring training and it's here, the gaming and the night life are just the icing on the cake," Hilan said.
archive
- Most Read
- Discussed
- Most E-mailed
- Binion’s to close all 365 rooms, lay off 100 workers
- Ex-NBA star to pay $12,835 monthly in gambling debt case
- “Last Call!”: Two words you wouldn’t expect to hear on The Strip
- Slot makers team up at behest of CityCenter
- Report: 70 percent of homeowners underwater
- Scuffle in pub parking lot leads to attorney’s arrest
- What reactions to Palin, Stewart say about society
- Now, Rebels must build on big Louisville win
- Nevada leads nation in rate of bankruptcy filings
- Rebels enter hoops rankings at No. 24
Blogs
High School Sports Scene
Prep Football: State Championship
Elsewhere
UFC debut in Boston likely July or August (1 Comment)
The Kats Report
Planet Hollywood's Thomas McCartney headed for Tropicana (14 Comments)
Elsewhere
LV woman robs Kentucky strip club, police say (4 Comments)
Las Vegas Sands' Hong Kong IPO flops (3 Comments)
The Kats Report
Monday List: Top 13 Moments and Observations From Thanksgiving Weekend (4 Comments)
Politics: Ralston's Flash
Tarkanian: Reid is liberal, out of touch, rude, poisonously partisan and a know-it-all (21 Comments)
Calendar »
- 2 Wed
- 3 Thu
- 4 Fri
- 5 Sat
- 6 Sun
-
Nic Faniciulli at Godskitchen
Body English | 10:30 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
Mischieve Wednesdays at T&T
Tacos and Tequila
-
Ben Sherman gift bag giveaways at Wasted Space
Wasted Space | 10 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
The Sun
Locally owned and independent for more than 50 years.
Technorati





