“Wait ’til year” took on a new meaning this past spring after the tight construction schedule of the new Las Vegas Ballpark at Summerlin resulted in the loss of the traditional Big League Weekend featuring the Chicago Cubs.
Well, Cubs fans — along with Oakland Athletics, Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians fans — can rejoice as the Las Vegas Aviators announced today the official schedule for the 2020 Big League Weekend at Las Vegas Ballpark. The popular Spring Training event returns after a one-year hiatus, much to the delight of local baseball fans, as former National League MVP Kris Bryant returns to play for his hometown fans.
“We are excited to welcome back Big League Weekend to Las Vegas Ballpark,” Aviators President/COO Don Logan said. “This year will feature four great teams over two weekends of Major League Baseball for a total of four games. We welcome our major league affiliate, the Oakland Athletics, who will face Cleveland and the Cubs will be making their 18th all-time appearance in Las Vegas against the Reds. Las Vegas Ballpark will provide an outstanding atmosphere and environment for Big League Weekend.
“The fans, both locally and the tourists that visit during this event, will have a memorable time. The Cubs continue to have such a tremendous nationwide fan-base and Las Vegas has become a ‘second’ Spring Training home for them.”
The Cubs will face the Reds in a two-game series on Saturday-Sunday, March 7-8, preceding the Indians matchup with the Athletics on Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 29 – March 1. All four games begin at 1:05 p.m.
Cleveland will make their third all-time appearance (1998, 2018) in Las Vegas for Big League Weekend. The 2018 Big League Weekend featured a rematch of the 2016 World Serie when the Cubs captured the World Series championship for the first time since 1908 in a thrilling seven-game series against the Indians. The Cubs defeated the Indians, 11-4, on March 17, 2018 before a sellout crowd of 10,651 at Cashman Field. The Indians then defeated the Cubs, 11-4, on March 18, 2018 before a sellout crowd of 10,774.
Oakland will make its sixth all-time appearance to Las Vegas (1994, 1997, 2000, 2015). The Athletics also played the first six games of the 1996 Major League Baseball season (April 1, 3-7) at Cashman Field due to construction delays in their home stadium. The games marked the first time ever that an MLB season opener was held at a minor league park.
No word on whether the cast of Sports Mockery’s Pinwheels and Ivy Podcast will broadcasting from outside the ballpark, but rumor has it they’ll be making their first trip to Sin City for the weekend. Sports Mockery contributor Adam Nissan may return for his third Big League Weekend again as well.
Times are subject to change due to TV but Big League Weekend ticket packages are available now by calling the Aviators office at (702) 939-7200.
