Former Dodger shortstop and manager Bill Russell was there for the christening of Big League Dreams, a collection of softball and youth baseball sports parks based on major league ballparks, that was unveiled this week in Las Vegas:
In addition to the six ball fields, Big League Dreams includes two baseball-themed restaurants, an indoor soccer field, batting cages, playgrounds and areas for picnics and private parties. Everything, as they say in news releases and at NASA headquarters, is state of the art or cutting edge. The project is a partnership between Odekirk's people and the City of Las Vegas, with Big League Dreams maintaining the facility and the city sharing in the profits. The park cost $28.5 million to build.The Las Vegas Big League Dreams is the 10th such facility opened by [Jeff] Odekirk and his partners, who include Russell and baseball's Giambi brothers. Built on 35 acres, it comprises softball-diamond-sized, FieldTurf-covered replicas of Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park, Angel Stadium, Dodger Stadium, Wrigley Field and old Crosley Field in Cincinnati -- a curious choice, considering those who have played there said "classic" would not be in the starting lineup of adjectives one would normally use in describing old Crosley Field. Even if it was the first big league ballpark to add lights in 1935. And even if it did feature a quirky sloping terrace in front of the outfield walls. [...]
No word as to if these fields will be serving Mini Sirloin Burgers at the concession stands. But a man can always dream.
photo: Jerry Henkel / Las Vegas Review-Journal
1 comments:
This is where they should stage the Eddie Gaedel Classic every year.
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