The Oakland Athletics are heading to Las Vegas! And a new ballpark is going to be built on the site of the Tropicana.
Having worked at the Trop as director of public relations (1986-1997), and as someone who appreciates the history of Las Vegas, I find myself having mixed feelings about this new change. But, since nobody asked for my input, I will be realistic and accept this change and hope it’s a home run.
One thing to consider in this new reality is whether Las Vegas can adjust to a major league baseball team? We’ve already welcomed the Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas Raiders and Las Vegas Aces, so we know it’s something the city is capable of doing. But the Oakland A’s? I will posit that the real question is: Will the Oakland A’s be able to adjust to Las Vegas?
Despite our amazing growth in the last 10 years, we are still not a typical city. The team will need to be cognizant of the fact that we are not the Oakland of the Desert. We are more like Oz, a mystical and magical oasis.
Here are some things for the team to ponder:
- When a batter hits the ball out of the ballpark, who pays for the broken window at the Excalibur?
- Will they be distracted by a showgirl walking the bases with a placard announcing the start of each inning?
- Do the A’s understand that many of our locals expect comps for food and drink?
- In addition to the expected Jumbotron, Vegas fans will want a giant keno board for the seventh inning stretch. Perhaps the keno runners can toss peanuts during the other innings?
MORE VEGAS HITS!
- Because Las Vegas is very creative, die-hard sports fans will want to connect a moving walkway between the ballpark, T-Mobile Arena and Allegiant Stadium. Now, that would be a triple play!
- Did anybody warn the team about the heat, both on and off the field?
- It’s Vegas baby, so casinos will want to add features like a craps boxman to supervise the batter’s box, or a pit boss behind every ump to make sure calls are right. And lest we forget, a cocktail server brings fresh balls to the home plate umpire.
- Parking. You have to figure out the parking. In the old days of Vegas, there was plenty of parking. Figure this one out and the A’s will be heroes.
- A high-roller seat section would feature lobster tail vendors roaming the stands and, of course, champagne instead of beer.
- Every team has a rally ritual, be it the Angels’ rally monkey or turning your ball cap inside out for a rally cap. Will the Las Vegas rally ritual include fans yelling “let it ride”?
In the end, hopefully, the Oakland A’s will adjust to Las Vegas and learn to love us.
But even if they don’t, there’s no crying in baseball.
