From shoe repairers, science fiction aficionados and fashionistas to porn stars, real estate agents and Hula-Hoop lovers, conventioneers of all types come to Las Vegas. America's baseball and softball players can now be added to that list. Since Big League Dreams Sports Park opened Jan. 25, hundreds of teenage players, recreational whiffers and serious competitors have come to town to lace up the cleats and compete.
Spread across 35 acres, the park's six fields replicate famous Major League Baseball stadiums: Boston's Fenway Park; Yankee Stadium in New York; Southern California's Dodger and Angels stadiums; Chicago's Wrigley Field; and Crosley Field, the former home of the Cincinnati Reds, which closed in 1970. Scaled to three-fourths the size of the originals, the replicas include each field's nuances, from Fenway's Green Monster left-field wall to the scoreboard placement at Wrigley.
Located inside Freedom Park on the city's east side, the Las Vegas park is the 10th facility run by Cathedral City, Calif.-based Big League Dreams. Judging by early interest, officials think it could soon be one of the best-performing parks in the company. Jeff Odekirk, whose family co-owns the facility with the Giambi family of pro baseball fame, said the company has had its eye on a Las Vegas location for more than 14 years.
"We knew this would be a good location because Las Vegas meets all the criteria: good year-round weather, large population and it's a tourist destination," he said. "We've already filled the 2010 tournament schedule."
According to Big League Dreams, millions of adult softball and youth baseball players have used Big League Dreams since the original facility opened in 1997. The parks have won awards, including best sports complex in America (Sports Complex Owners and Developers Association), best public/private partnership (League of California Cities) and business of the year in Cathedral City.
Rather than being yet another leisure option for visiting conventioneers, Ed Farmer, general manager of Big League Dreams Las Vegas, said the facility actually drives tourism.
He estimates that more than 300,000 people will use the facility this year. Usage and attendance at all the parks topped 3 million last year.
"We're actually bringing people in from out of state," Farmer said. "We have clientele who may not have come to Vegas if not for these tournaments. But being here helps. None of the other locations has the type of things Las Vegas has. All of the city's entertainment options are a bonus. We also have the ability to host qualifying tournaments for world championship or NCAA events. What better place to qualify than in Vegas?"
Park officials also hope to lure companies holding conventions to use Big Dreams for special events, team-building activities and recreational outings and to convince visitors (and locals) to consider holding birthday parties, weddings and other activities on campus. There are two sports-theme restaurants, a field house for indoor soccer and other activities, batting cages and volleyball courts on the property.
"We can do so many things for business travelers -- softball, Wiffle Ball, kickball -- and they can play in a quality facility," Farmer said. "It's so exciting to come into this place. We have a very aggressive tournament schedule on the weekends and three-day holiday weekends, but we've also seen husbands and wives who don't have great skill come and have fun. We try to give customers a feel of playing in the regular ballpark."
"Big League Dreams is a beautiful, state-of-the-art facility that raises the bar for baseball and softball in the city of Las Vegas," Mayor Oscar Goodman said in a press statement. "Las Vegas is known for having the best entertainment, hotels, restaurants and shopping. Now we also have the best ballfields."
City Councilman Gary Reese, whose district contains the $28.5 million sports park, said: "I can't wait to see kids shagging flies and hitting home runs in our very own versions of Fenway Park, Dodger Stadium and these other historic replica fields."
Big League Dreams is on the east side of Las Vegas at Freedom Park, 3151 E. Washington Ave., near Mojave Road. Seating capacity varies; the facility has 200 bleacher-style seats, a 400-seat stadium club (restaurant and sports bar) and seating areas alongside each of the six fields. Those interested in operating hours, admission prices and more information can call (702) 642-4448 or log on to www.bigleaguedreams.com.
