A's Offering Baseball Fans Sneak Peek of Their Future in Vegas

^{Scott (left) and Jordan (right) Gartner are two Las Vegas locals who have waited most of their lives to get a Major League Baseball team in Sin City. (Photo: courtesy of Scott Gartner)}

LAS VEGAS – The Athletics baseball team isn't officially moving to Sin City until 2028, when their new stadium opens on the Strip where the Tropicana previously stood. But the A’s are giving Vegas-area fans an early preview of what to expect from them this week while playing a six-game “homestand” at Las Vegas Ballpark in Summerlin.

The A’s (33-35) just won two of three games against the National League Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers, pulling within 2.5 games of the lead in the American League West. They will close out the six-game Summerlin set this Friday through Sunday by hosting the Colorado Rockies, who reside in last place in the National League West.

Las Vegas Ballpark is a 20-minute drive from the Strip, but Red Rock Casino is within walking distance, making it a great place to stay and play before and after baseball games. The ballpark is also home to the Las Vegas Aviators, the Triple-A minor league affiliate of the A’s.

The new $2 billion domed stadium will obviously be a prime destination for home and visiting fans alike because it will be located in the heart of the Strip. However, the success of the Las Vegas Ballpark has provided even more hope that the city will outperform the team’s former home in Oakland and temporary three-year residency in Sacramento.

Athletics Battling Dodgers for Local Fandom

The Los Angeles Dodgers have won the NL West in 12 of the past 13 years, and they are the two-time defending World Series champions. Given Las Vegas's proximity to Southern California and its large population of transplants from the LA area, many Vegas baseball fans currently root for the Dodgers.

Brothers Scott and Jordan Gartner are two lifelong fans of the Dodgers who have spent the majority of their lives in Las Vegas. They have family roots in the Los Angeles area, but are extremely excited about having a Major League Baseball team of their own in Vegas. 

"I was never a hockey fan but latched on to the Golden Knights from Day One that they were established in Las Vegas," Scott Gartner said. "Now I'm a big hockey fan and love the Knights. We love baseball even more and are Dodger fans.  I like the [A's] a lot too, they have loads of young talent. Just looking forward to seeing professional baseball here in Vegas. It's the greatest thing ever." 

The Gartners are on the waitlist for A's season tickets and attended Monday’s 15-14 12-inning loss to the Brewers in the series opener. Despite bleeding blue for the Dodgers, they will still root for the home team as they have with their beloved Vegas Golden Knights.

Circa's Derek Stevens Going All In on the A's

Derek Stevens may be a die-hard fan of his hometown Detroit Tigers, but like the Gartners, he can’t wait for an MLB team to arrive. The Circa Resort & Casino Owner and CEO has welcomed the A’s with open arms and is even hosting a meet-and-greet event on Thursday.

“As a partner sponsor with the A’s, we love the opportunity to come up with ideas similar to today’s meet and greet with Jason Giambi, Dave Stewart, and Chris Townsend,” Stevens told Casinos.com. “This afternoon will be a great opportunity for Las Vegas baseball fans to visit Circa to get to know and see some A’s Legends.”

Stevens’ Circa Sports first formed professional team partnerships with the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights and the Chicago Blackhawks. He added the NHL’s St. Louis Blues and MLB’s Kansas City Royals in January, expanding Circa’s presence in the Midwest.

Regardless, one of Stevens’ main goals continues to be helping turn Vegas into a stronger sports town. And he believes adding the A’s is the next step in making that dream a reality.

“As a massive baseball fan, I’m personally excited to see how the A’s continue to grow Las Vegas as the premier sports destination in America,” said Stevens.