2024 Big League Weekend will feature two Major League Baseball Spring Training Games: Milwaukee Brewers vs. Oakland Athletics on Friday-Saturday, March 8-9 at Las Vegas Ballpark®
(Las Vegas, NV) – (November 27, 2023) – The Las Vegas Aviators® professional baseball team of the Pacific Coast League, Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, announced today in conjunction with the A’s and Milwaukee Communications/Media Relations Departments, two games for the 2024 Big League Weekend at Las Vegas Ballpark®.
(Las Vegas, NV) – (November 27, 2023) – The Las Vegas Aviators® professional baseball team of the Pacific Coast League, Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, announced today in conjunction with the A’s and Milwaukee Communications/Media Relations Departments, two games for the 2024 Big League Weekend at Las Vegas Ballpark®.
The Milwaukee Brewers will face the Oakland Athletics on Friday-Saturday, March 8-9. Game times for the Spring Training series are Friday at 6:05 p.m. PT and Saturday at 1:05 p.m. PT (subject to change per television).
Big League Weekend ticket packages are available NOW by calling the Aviators office at (702) 943-7200 or emailing [email protected]. Tickets start at $30 per seat.
Individual game tickets: Presale through Ticketmaster (via aviatorslv.com) is Friday, December 1 at noon and public on-sale on Monday, December 4 at noon (via aviatorslv.com).
“We are excited to welcome back Big League Weekend to Las Vegas Ballpark,” Aviators President/COO Don Logan said. “We welcome our major league affiliate, the Oakland Athletics, back for a third visit to Las Vegas Ballpark for Spring Training games. The A’s will face the Milwaukee Brewers for a two-games Series. This will mark Milwaukee’s first visit back to Las Vegas since 1999. Las Vegas Ballpark will once again provide an outstanding atmosphere and environment for Major League Baseball. Fans, both locals and tourists that visit during this event, will have a memorable time.”
Milwaukee will be making its fourth all-time appearance for Big League Weekend (1993, 1998, 1999). The Brewers’ last appearance was two games at Cashman Field: Milwaukee defeated San Diego, 8-3, on April 2, 1999 (7,901) and Milwaukee defeated Seattle, 12-0, on April 3, 1999 (sellout crowd of 11,616).
Oakland will make its eighth all-time appearance in Las Vegas (six previous BLW visits: 1994, 1997, 2000, 2015, 2020, 2023). 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.
The Athletics will be making their third appearance at Las Vegas Ballpark for BLW. Oakland appeared in the inaugural Las Vegas Ballpark BLW in 2020. The A’s defeated Cleveland twice: 8-6 on February 29 before a crowd of 8,159 and 8-5 on March 1 (7,521). In 2023, the Cincinnati Reds defeated Oakland twice: 10-9, on March 4 before a sellout crowd of 8,805 and, 12-4, on March 5 before a crowd of 8,024.
The Athletics, under manager Mark Kotsay, compiled an overall record of 50-112 (.309) in 2023 in the American League West Division.
The Aviators welcome their Major League affiliate to the Silver State for Big League Weekend. The 2023 Aviators, under PCL manager of the Year Fran Riordan, compiled an overall record of 75-74 (.503) and finished in third place in the West Division.
In 2023, 24 players from Triple-A Las Vegas were promoted to the Athletics, who began the season in the minor leagues and 11 of those players made their major league debuts. Most notable players included: JJ Bleday (OF), Joe Boyle (RHP), Lawrence Butler (OF), Zack Gelof (INF), Luis Medina (RHP), Mason Miller (RHP), Tyler Soderstrom (C/INF).
Catcher Shea Langeliers appeared in 135 games for Oakland in 2023 and batted .205 (92-for-448) with 45 extra-base hits (19 doubles, 4 triples, 22 home runs) and 63 RBI.
Outfielder Brent Rooker, 2023 American League All-Star, appeared in 137 games for Oakland and batted .246 (114-for-463) with 51 extra-base hits (20 doubles, one triple, 30 home runs) and 69 RBI. He led the Athletics in games played, at-bats, home runs, RBI, extra-base hits and total bases (226).
Outfielder Esteury Ruiz appeared in 132 games for Oakland in 2023 and batted .254 (114-for-449) with 30 extra-base hits (24 doubles, one triple, five home runs), 47 RBI and 67 stolen bases (led American League) in 80 attempts. Ruiz set an A.L. rookie record for most stolen bases in a single season. Cleveland outfielder Kenny Lofton recorded 66 stolen bases in 1992. Atlanta outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. led Major League Baseball in 2023 with 73 stolen bases.
Right-hander Paul Blackburn appeared in 21 games (started 20) and posted a 4-7 record with a 4.43 ERA. He allowed 117 hits and struck out 104 batters in 103.2 innings pitched.
Left-hander JP Sears appeared in 32 games (all starts) for Oakland in 2023 and posted a 5-14 record with a 4.54 ERA. He allowed 165 hits and struck out 161 batters in 172.1 innings pitched. He led the Athletics in starts, innings pitched and strikeouts.
The Brewers compiled an overall record of 92-70 (.568) in 2023 and finished in first place in the National League Central Division. Arizona defeated Milwaukee, 2-games-to-0, in the Wild Card Series.
Pat Murphy was officially named the new manager of the Brewers on November 15, 2023 and introduced on November 16.
Infielder Willy Adames appeared in 149 games for Milwaukee in 2023 and batted .217 (120-for-553) with 55 extra-base hits (29 doubles, two triples, 24 home runs) and 80 RBI. He led the Brewers in games played, at-bats, home runs and RBI.
Catcher William Contreras appeared in 141 games for Milwaukee in 2023 and batted. 289 (156-for-540) with 56 extra-base hits (38 doubles, triple, 17 home runs) and 78 RBI. He led the Brewers in hits, doubles (4th in National League), extra-base hits and total bases (247).
Outfielder Christian Yelich appeared in 144 games for Milwaukee in 2023 and batted .278 (153-for-550) with 54 extra-base hits (34 doubles, triple, 19 home runs), 76 RBI and 28 stolen bases in 31 attempts. He led the Brewers in runs scored (106), walks (78) and stolen bases.
Right-hander Corbin Burnes, 2023 National League All-Star, appeared in 32 games (all starts) for Milwaukee and posted a 10-8 record with a 3.39 ERA (6th in N.L.). He allowed 141 hits and struck out 200 batters in 193.2 innings pitched (T-5th in N.L.). He led the Brewers in starts and innings pitched.
Right-hander Freddy Peralta appeared in 30 games (all starts) for Milwaukee in 2023 and posted a 12-10 record with a 3.86 ERA. He allowed 131 hits and struck out 210 batters in 165.2 innings pitched. He led the Brewers in victories and strikeouts (T-5th in N.L.).
Right-hander Devin Williams, 2023 National League All-Star, appeared in 61 games for Milwaukee and posted an 8-3 record with 36 saves (ranked 4th in N.L.) in 40 opportunities and a 1.53 ERA. He allowed 26 hits and struck out 87 batters in 58.2 innings pitched.
The Aviators will open their 41st season (1983-2023) in the Silver State against intrastate rival, the Reno Aces, Triple-A affiliate of the 2023 National League Champions Arizona Diamondbacks, on Friday, March 29 at Las Vegas Ballpark.
The Aviators recorded back-to-back seasons of 500,000+ in home attendance in 2023. In 74 dates, Las Vegas total was 506,047 for an average of 6,838 with 17 sellouts. In four seasons at Las Vegas Ballpark (2019, 2021-23), the Aviators have recorded 81 sellouts.
2024 Las Vegas Aviators season ticket and group hospitality packages are available by calling the Aviators administrative offices at (702) 943-7200 or emailing [email protected].
Official licensed Aviators team merchandise is available on the “Team Shop” section of the website at www.aviatorslv.com.
About Las Vegas Aviators®
The Las Vegas Aviators® have the proud distinction of being Nevada’s longest enduring professional sports franchise.
The 2023 campaign marked the 41st calendar season in the Silver State as a proud member of Triple-A professional baseball of the Pacific Coast League and the fourth season in Las Vegas Ballpark (8,196).
The Aviators led all minor league baseball in 2019 attendance with a total of 650,934 for an average of 9,299. Las Vegas recorded 47 sellouts and 23 crowds of 10,000+.
In 2021, Las Vegas led Triple-A West in home attendance with a total of 428,369 for an average of 6,590.
The Aviators were the recipient of the 2021 Baseball America Triple-A Freitas Award, given to the organization of the year at each level of the Minor Leagues.
In 2022, Las Vegas led the PCL in home attendance with a total of 518,221 for an average of 6,910. It marked the second-highest attendance total for a single season in franchise history.
In 2023, Las Vegas recorded back-to-back seasons with 500,000+ home attendance (506,047 for an average of 6,838). In four seasons at Las Vegas Ballpark, the Aviators have recorded 81 sellouts.
The Stars (1983-2000)/51s (2001-18)/Aviators (2019 - present) have reached 300,000+ in “home” attendance in all 40 seasons (36 seasons at Cashman Field, 1983-2018; Las Vegas Ballpark, 2019, 2021-23). The Aviators have played four seasons as the Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics and the franchise won the PCL championship in 1986 and 1988.
About Las Vegas Ballpark®
Las Vegas Ballpark®, located on eight acres in Downtown Summerlin® just south of City National Arena – practice facility for the Vegas Golden Knights, is the home of the Las Vegas Aviators®, the city's professional Triple-A baseball team of the Pacific Coast League and affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. The team is wholly owned by Howard Hughes®, developer of the award-winning master-planned community of Summerlin® and developer of Las Vegas Ballpark. With a wide range of seating options including 22 suites, club seats, berm seating, party zones and decks, picnic tables, kids' zone, bars and a pool beyond the outfield wall, Las Vegas Ballpark boasts a capacity of 8,196. Designed to host a variety of events in addition to baseball, the site is landscaped to complement the surrounding master-planned community. The site is easily accessed from all regions of the valley via the 215 Beltway. For more on Las Vegas Ballpark, visit www.thelvballpark.com.
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Contact:
Jim Gemma
Media Relations Director
Las Vegas Aviators, Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics
(702) 493-4510