LAS VEGAS AVIATORS® HOST OKLAHOMA CITY DODGERS IN FIVE-GAME HOMESTAND FROM THURSDAY-MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 23-27 AT LAS VEGAS BALLPARK®; FINAL HOMESTAND FEATURES $2.00 BEER NIGHT
(THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23); FIREWORKS (FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24);
AVIATORS FLEECE BLANKETS (SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25)
The Las Vegas Aviators® professional baseball team of Triple-A West (formerly the Pacific Coast League, PCL), Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, will host the Oklahoma City Dodgers, Triple-A affiliate of the 2020 World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers, in the opener of a five-game series on Thursday, September 23 at 7:05 p.m. at Las Vegas Ballpark®. The ninth and final homestand of the 2021 season will feature five games against the Dodgers from Thursday-Monday, September 23-27 and all games will begin at 7:05 p.m. except for the matinee contest on Sunday, September 26 at 12:05 p.m.
The Aviators, under manager Fran Riordan, are concluding a six-game Northern California road trip against the Sacramento River Cats, Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, on Tuesday, September 21.
The 2021 regular season concludes (120 games) on Tuesday, September 21. The Triple-A Final Stretch, consisting of an additional 10 games (5-home; 5 away) will then be featured from September 23 – October 3.
For each the Triple-A East and Triple-A West, a 2021 Regular Season Champion will be named based on the best overall winning percentage through the originally scheduled championship season consisting of 120 total games. Tacoma (Seattle Mariners, 73-46, .613) was named regular season champion in Triple-A West and Durham (Tampa Bay Rays, 77-43, .642) was named regular season champion in Triple-A East.
Among the 30 clubs, a single 2021 Triple-A Final Stretch Winner will also be crowned based on the highest overall winning percentage during this 10-game stretch.
The Aviators are in their 39th season of professional baseball in the Silver State and have the proud distinction of being the longest enduring franchise in the history of professional sports in the state of Nevada.
TRIPLE-A WEST: Formerly the Pacific Coast League (118 years, 1903-2020), Triple-A West consists of two divisions for a total of 10 teams. Western Division: Las Vegas Aviators, Reno Aces, Sacramento River Cats, Salt Lake Bees, Tacoma Rainiers; Eastern Division: Albuquerque Isotopes, El Paso Chihuahuas, Oklahoma City Dodgers, Round Rock Express, Sugar Land Skeeters.
HOMESTAND PROMOTIONS:
Thursday, September 23: $2.00 Beer Night
Friday, September 24: Fireworks
Saturday, September 25: +Aviators Fleece Blanket Night
Monday, September 27: Mutt Mondays, presented by Subaru of Las Vegas (final home game)
+first 2,000 fans
2021 LAS VEGAS BALLPARK ATTENDANCE: In 60 dates, Las Vegas total is 389,274 (leads Triple-A West) for an average of 6,488 (50% capacity from May 6-11; May 20-25; 100% capacity began on June 10) with four sellouts. The Aviators season-high crowd was 10,190 (sellout) vs. Sacramento on July 3 and the Las Vegas franchise has reached the 300,000 plateau in “home” attendance in all 38 seasons (1983-2019, 2021). The all-time attendance total now stands at 13,041,219.
In 36 seasons at Cashman Field (1983-2018), the attendance total was 12,001,011.
NOTE: The Las Vegas Ballpark regular season attendance total over two seasons (2019, 2021) is 1,040,208.
LARGEST SINGLE SEASON HOME ATTENDANCE:
2019 650,934 70 dates 9,299 average
2021 389,274 60 dates 6,488 average
1992 387,815 72 dates 5,386 average
1993 386,310 71 dates 5,441 average
2008 374,780 71 dates 5,279 average
2007 371,676 72 dates 5,162 average
*1983 365,848 75 dates 4,878 average *inaugural season
Oklahoma City’s roster features one of the top 10 prospects in the Dodgers organization, according to Baseball America: right-handed pitcher Ryan Pepiot (No. 8). Infielder Sheldon Neuse is also a member of the Dodgers roster. Neuse was a member of the Las Vegas Aviators in 2019.
Los Angeles Dodgers / Las Vegas 51s (2001-08): Las Vegas was the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers for eight seasons from 2001-08. The 51s compiled an overall record of 561-586 (.489), 1 playoff appearance in 2002. Brad Mills was named 2002 Pacific Coast League Manager of the Year with a franchise-best record of 85-59 (.590).
Most notable players over the affiliation included: RHP Chad Billingsley (2006), RHP Jonathan Broxton (2006), OF Andre Ethier (2006), INF Phil Hiatt (2001 PCL MVP, franchise-record 44 HR, 99 RBI), OF Matt Kemp (2006-07), 1B James Loney (2006-07; ’06 PCL Batting Champion, franchise record .380), catcher Russell Martin (2006), INF Terry Tiffee (2008, PCL Batting Champion, .378).
Following an off-day on Tuesday, September 28, the Aviators will embark to Northern Nevada for the final five games of the 2021 season against intrastate rival, the Reno Aces, Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. The series at Greater Nevada Field will run from Wednesday-Sunday, September 29 – October 3.
The Aviators will broadcast all games on Lotus Broadcasting on Raider Nation Radio AM 920, which will carry live all 130 regular season games. Also, all games will be available on the Aviators website (Major League Baseball Advanced Media, MLBAM) at www.aviatorslv.com. Russ Langer, the 10-time Nevada Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association (NSSA), is in his 21st season behind the microphone calling Aviators baseball.
NOTE: The Aviators game on Sunday, September 26 will be broadcast on 98.9FM/1340 AM Fox Sports Radio (KKGK).
All Aviators games (home & away) will also be broadcast on MiLB.TV via aviatorslv.com.
2022 Las Vegas Aviators season tickets, including suites and party decks are available by calling the Aviators administrative offices at (702) 943-7200.
Official licensed Aviators team merchandise is available on the “Team Shop” section of the website at www.aviatorslv.com.