How a sewage disaster in a dugout forced a $150 million stadium upgrade
In short: When raw sewage flooded the dugouts at Cashman Field in 2015, it became the final indignity for a team playing in a facility long past its prime. The resulting $150 million Las Vegas Ballpark was designed to transform the city from an affiliate of last resort into a premier baseball destination.
For decades, the Las Vegas 51s—formerly the Stars—struggled with Cashman Field, a stadium that had become a national embarrassment. By the mid-2010s, the facility was plagued by inadequate weight rooms, inconvenient batting cages, and failing infrastructure. The breaking point arrived in August 2015, when a sewage backup forced players to abandon the dugout entirely. Team president Don Logan lamented that the facility was entirely unbecoming of a city known for its world-class hospitality and luxury.
The solution was the Las Vegas Ballpark in Summerlin, which opened in 2019. Owned by Seaport Entertainment Group, the stadium was built to modern Triple-A standards, featuring a 3,930-square-foot video board—the largest in minor league baseball—and a recessed field design that allows fans to view the action from the concourse. To combat the intense Nevada summer heat, the venue became the first in sports history to utilize breathable mesh seating for its 8,196-seat capacity, though the fiberglass frames have since caused some spectators to experience skin irritation.
While the ballpark was built with the flexibility to host Major League Baseball on a temporary basis, it was ultimately bypassed by the Oakland Athletics during their relocation process. Athletics president Dave Kaval cited concerns regarding the open-air summer heat and the desire for a more significant market introduction as reasons for choosing a different temporary home. Despite this, the venue remains a centerpiece of the Summerlin community, hosting high-profile events and serving as a testament to the city's shift away from its reputation as a baseball afterthought.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Las Vegas Ballpark
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/culture-las-vegas-ballpark.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in US culture · More in Cultures · Latest · A–Z · All topics
