Athletics Shine in Las Vegas with Promising Trial Run

LAS VEGAS, NV -- The return of Major League Baseball to Las Vegas after a three-decade hiatus proved to be an enchanting experience for the Oakland Athletics. As they gear up for a permanent relocation to the city in 2028, the A’s took part in a six-game trial at the Las Vegas Ballpark, home to their Triple-A affiliate, the Las Vegas Aviators. The venue showcased its hitter-friendly dimensions, highlighted by an impressive 483-foot home run from catcher Shea Langeliers on the very first swing of the series.

During this trial run, the Athletics participated in high-scoring matchups, including two of the season's most explosive games. In the opener on June 8, the Milwaukee Brewers narrowly defeated the A’s 15-14 in a thrilling 12-inning contest that saw 11 home runs. In contrast, the series finale on June 14 ended with the Colorado Rockies amassing a staggering 23 runs, setting a franchise record as they triumphed 23-9 over Oakland. Despite these setbacks, the A’s claimed victory in four out of six games, showcasing their offensive prowess with 20 home runs and a total of 47 runs scored.

The success of the A’s trial was not solely measured by wins and losses, but also by the enthusiastic reception from fans. The series boasted six sellouts, with attendance averaging 8,452, surpassing the ballpark's 8,200 fixed seats. In addition, the introduction of Las Vegas Athletics merchandise allowed fans to officially support their future team.

Players expressed their excitement about playing in Las Vegas, with third baseman Max Muncy stating, “I love our fans in Sacramento, they’re great, but it is good and very nice to see these fans in Vegas and the support they have for us, it’s felt like home so far.” Outfielder Tyler Soderstrom echoed these sentiments, saying, “It’s been a blast, Vegas has been great so far, we’re loving playing here in front of these great fans.”

Beyond the diamond, the Athletics made strides to connect with the local community. First baseman Nick Kurtz organized a youth baseball camp, while other players volunteered at a food bank and participated in a story time event at a local library. Additionally, the team toured their upcoming $2 billion stadium, familiarizing themselves with their future home.

This initial foray into Las Vegas was a resounding success for the Athletics, setting the stage for an exciting new chapter. Currently, they sit just one game behind the Seattle Mariners in a competitive AL West, playing with the potential to disrupt the league as the season progresses.