New name, affiliation boosts ticket sales for 51s

Steve Guiremand

Friday, Feb. 9, 2001 | 10:57 a.m.

Remember that supposed controversy over the Las Vegas Stars changing their name to the 51s?

It certainly hasn't hurt the triple-A team's season ticket sales.

Amy Venuto, director of corporate marketing for the Stars -- er, 51s -- said Thursday that the team has already surpassed new season ticket sales from a year ago and is hoping to hit the 85 percent mark in season ticket renewals.

"And our top two selling months are still ahead of us," Venuto said on the eve of Big League Challenge, the home run hitting contest at Cashman Field that signals the start of baseball season for Las Vegas residents.

Venuto said the Stars sold out 18 games last year at Cashman Field.

"We anticipate selling out 33 games this year," she said. "This is going to be our best year for season tickets in at least 10 years."

And that's despite an increase in cost from a year ago.

Part of the reason is the name change. A bigger reason undoubtedly is the team's affiliation switch from the San Diego Padres to the more storied Los Angeles Dodgers.

"It's a little of both," Venuto said. "The name change has been met with a mostly positive response. And the switch to the Dodgers has been a big plus."

This weekend's Big League Challenge as well as next month's exhibition game between the Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks have also played roles in the hot ticket sales.

"We give our season-ticket holders priority at buying tickets for Big League Challenge and also the Dodger-Arizona game," Venuto said. "This is the first time the Dodgers have played a game here and there's a lot of excitement. That game could sell out with the tickets our season-ticket holders and preferred groups buy. We may not even have a walk-up sale for that one."