LV bids for MLB games

Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2001 | 10:01 a.m.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority has allocated $300,000 in a bid to draw Major League Baseball teams to play exhibition games in Cashman Field in March.

But next year's proposed "Big League Weekend" games -- a Las Vegas spring training phenomenon for nine years -- won't occur on a weekend.

Don Logan, general manager of the Las Vegas 51s minor league team, the AAA farm club of the Los Angeles Dodgers, told members of the LVCVA's board of directors that he has proposed March 27-29 as the dates for next year's games. That fits with the LVCVA's strategy of producing special events that enhance midweek visitations already weakened by the sluggish economy.

Those dates are the Tuesday through Thursday during which Las Vegas schools and UNLV are off for spring break.

Logan said he plans negotiations with the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Oakland A's, the San Francisco Giants, the Seattle Mariners and the Chicago White Sox in addition to the Dodgers. The Dodgers have their spring training camp in Florida, but the other potential teams play in the Cactus League every spring and train in Arizona.

Last year, the Big League exhibition featured one game between the Diamondbacks and the Dodgers.

Logan told the LVCVA board that the Diamondbacks' success as World Series champions could result in that team seeking more money to play spring exhibition games outside Arizona.

The LVCVA sponsorship assures participating teams of hotel and airfare to Las Vegas. The 51s sell tickets and market the game.