Fans toast the evening fun during the first inning of the Aviators versus Dodgers during their small league house opener at the Las Vegas Ballpark on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, in Las Vegas. Beginning Aviators with Manager Fran Riordan, left, stand for the National Anthem before dealing with the Dodgers in their small league house opener at the Las Vegas Ballpark on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, in Las Vegas. Aviators infielder Dé& #xe 9; rmis Garcia (23 )is tangled up with Dodgers infielder Yonny Herná& #xe 1; ndez (4) at second base after being tagged out throughout the fourth inning of their minor league home opener at the Las Vegas Ballpark on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, in Las Vegas.
A new tradition began on the walkway behind the left-field fence at Las Vegas Ballpark on Tuesday.

Lewis Henderson had his boy - - just 2 ½ months old - - strapped to his chest and smothered in blankets for their very first ballgame together. Henderson and his family were there for the Aviators' home opener against the Oklahoma City Dodgers.

He stated he hopes it's the first of numerous opening days he gets to share with his son.

All those future video games might not include the Aviators. Henderson wants the Oakland Athletics to finish their relocate to Las Vegas, even if it costs the city its longtime Triple-A renters.

" Having a minor league team is nice and all," Henderson stated. "But we have more of a big league feel to the city, so we need a major league group."

Henderson isn't alone in his beliefs. Numerous of the 6,950 fans in attendance Tuesday said they wish to see the A's transfer to Las Vegas and bring Major League Baseball to the city. Any prospective move to Las Vegas by the A's, the major league affiliate of the Aviators, might suggest the Triple-A team would need to leave town.

Don Logan, president and chief operations officer of the Aviators, stated the organization is just focused on the present. He stated the group's success in Las Vegas during the previous 40 years paved the way for big league teams to consider the city as a potential home.

He also sees the Aviators as a neighborhood leader in Las Vegas, as they've outlasted 28 minors groups throughout their four-decade tenure in Nevada.

" We know how to be a good community partner," he stated. "It does not constantly translate into attempting to make the most cash for the team, however it's attempting to do what's right as a company for the neighborhood."

Logan said MLB's territorial rights do not factor in any prospective moving for the Aviators since they are connected with the A's. He likewise stated that the A's have actually been really inclusive and transparent with their Triple-A club about possible relocation.

" They're doing what they're doing really thoughtfully," Logan said.

While Henderson confessed a choice for the A's, Jeff Camara, another regional fan, has actually combined his 2 enthusiasms. He donned an A's t-shirt and coat for the video game, however likewise had an Aviators cap on to secure against the strong winds that whipped around the stadium.

Camara, who grew up an A's fan, is also a Raiders season-ticket holder and stated the football group's relocation shows major league teams can flourish in Las Vegas.

" Fans, like they provide for Raiders games, will pertain to Vegas not just to see Vegas and do Vegas things, but to see their baseball teams, too," Camara said.

Zahra Sage has been a season-ticket holder for the Aviators for years, going back to the organization's time at Cashman Field when they were referred to as the 51s. She desires the A's to transfer to Las Vegas, but hopes the groups could exercise some kind of deal to keep the Aviators in their brand-new Summerlin stadium too.

Doug Shrader likewise stated it would be a challenging choice to pick in between the A's and the Aviators. Using a cyan Reyes de Plata jersey - - the Aviators' alternate Latino heritage consistent - - Shrader said the minors environment is very pleasurable.

The group's move from Cashman Field to Las Vegas Ballpark persuaded him to purchase season tickets 2 years ago, but he confesses the possibility to bring MLB to Las Vegas is probably too excellent to miss. Camara and Sage likewise said choosing between the A's and Aviators would be an extremely difficult choice.

" I enjoy my Aviators, so it's tough to state, ‘‘ Get rid of them,'" Shrader said. "But it is what it is."

Contact reporter Andy Yamashita at ayamashita@reviewjournal.com. Follow @ANYamashita on Twitter.

Aviators fall short

Skin Garcia faced a double play while representing the connecting run in the bottom of the ninth inning, and the Aviators lost 7-6 to the Oklahoma City Dodgers in their home opener Tuesday at Las Vegas Ballpark.

Catcher Tyler Soderstrom, the No. 1 possibility in the Athletics' company, according to MLB.com, went 1-for-4 with a walk and 2 RBIs. Shortstop Kevin Smith went 2-for-4 and scored a run for the Aviators (1-3), who outhit the Dodgers 9-5 but stranded nine runners.

Garcia's one-out RBI double in the ninth pulled the Aviators within one run, however he was captured in no guy's land in between 2nd and third on a soft line drive that Dodgers 3rd baseman Luke Williams turned into an unassisted double play to end the video game.

Aviators starter Hogan Harris (0-1) quit 4 runs, 3 earned, and stopped working to get away the second inning to take the loss.

Oklahoma City 2nd baseman Jahmai Jones went 3-for-4 with two crowning achievement and a double to drive in five runs for the Dodgers (3-1). Beginner Dylan Covey pitched 4⅔ ⅔ innings and quit 3 runs. Reliever Justin Bruihl (1-0) picked up the win, and Wander Suero made the save.

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