If there’s a down time in Las Vegas, it’s usually during the summer months, as Vegas’ searing heat – plus the fact that the colder parts of the country are actually warm – cut into the amount of tourism that hits the city. But those who are in Sin City to enjoy a lazy summer day can do what a lot of Americans do to pass the summer months – head out to a baseball game.

Las Vegas has been the home of Triple-A baseball – playing in the Pacific Coast League — for the last 31 years, as the San Diego Padres moved their Triple-A team to Sin City from Spokane, Wash., and called it the Las Vegas Stars. Las Vegas has had several different affiliates (the Padres, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Toronto Blue Jays and, currently, the New York Mets) and two nicknames, as the team became the Las Vegas 51s in 2001 upon joining the Dodgers’ organization after 18 seasons with the Padres. The Blue Jays became Las Vegas’ parent club in 2009 before the Mets took control in 2013.

The franchise plays at Cashman Field, located downtown off Washington Street. Cashman Field opened in 1983 and has hosted several major league exhibition games along with the Triple-A World Series from 1998-2000. There have been discussions about building a new, state-of-the-art stadium in Summerlin, but for now, Las Vegas baseball is a downtown affair.

The 51s name is a reference to Area 51, the rumored alien landing point located 80 miles north of the city. The franchise makes joking references to the UFO conspiracy theorists, with its logo of a gray alien and its mascot “Cosmo,” an alien traveler with eyes popping out from the top of his head and big, gray Dumbo-like ears. Cosmo is a fan favorite, especially among children, so a 51s game is a great place to go and entertain the kids for a few hours.

While there might be aliens in and around the team, seeing top-of-the-line prospects playing for the 51s is far from an alien concept. Notable players that have played in Las Vegas before they became major league stars include Hall of Famers Tony Gwynn and Roberto Alomar and contemporary stars such as Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp and Russell Martin. That doesn’t even factor in the countless standouts that have played in Las Vegas on visiting teams.

Ticket prices are reasonable as well, as they range from $10 in the reserved seats along the first- and third-base lines to $13 for plaza seats behind home plate to $14 for seats in the first couple rows behind home plate and the dugouts. Add in a hot dog, some popcorn and a beer, and a night at the ballpark is pretty reasonable entertainment for an individual or a family. It’s not a bad way to enjoy a lazy summer evening either.

Cashman Field
850 Las Vegas Blvd. North
Las Vegas, NV
702-943-7200
Las Vegas 51′s