Jaunted

The Best Minor League Ballparks

Best Minor League Ballparks: Cashman Field

April 5, 2007 at 1:45 PM | 0 Comments

What's not to love about Minor League Baseball? It's got easier parking, cheaper food, wackier traditions, contests and great deals on last-minute seats. Seats that are close enough to the action that the visiting team can hear your heckling loud and clear. This week, we'll be guiding you around the country to play ball with the stars of tomorrow and the washed up heroes of yesterday on a Bull Durham-style road trip. We've even got the whole thing all mapped out for you.

Best Minor League Ballparks ::: Map

The Las Vegas 51s

Until today, we've been covering International League teams. But the Pacific Coast League has its share of parks worth visiting. Cashman Field seats fewer than 10,000 fans, which means there's not a bad seat in the house. (You also won't have to battle an ocean of traffic after the game.)

But what about the 51s? A farm team for the Dodgers, 2007 will be the franchise's 25th anniversary year. True, they haven't won a league title since 1988, but maybe the team's silver year will bring back some of that old time juju. Besides, the 51s are also the only minor league team named after a secret government aeronautical proving ground, and that's got to count for something, right?

Getting There:
The park is just off North Las Vegas Blvd., a quick jaunt from The Strip. Since it's in Vegas, there's a plethora of parking around the field--it shouldn't cost more than a few bucks.

Insider's Tip:
First off, can we just say that "Cashman" is the ultimate name for a Vegas ballpark? Don't miss the mascot, Cosmo, who looks almost as dopey as Jar Jar Binks. You'll also want to be on the lookout for guest batboys--we dug up a video of one unlucky soul. Find it after the jump.