PCL1 Las Vegas Aviators

51s Season Opener This Thursday; Chad Billingsley Opening Night Starter

Published on April 3, 2006 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Las Vegas Aviators News Release


LAS VEGAS: The Las Vegas 51s professional baseball team of the Pacific Coast League (PCL), Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, will open their 24th season on Thursday, April 6 against the Fresno Grizzlies, Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, at 7:05 p.m. at Cashman Field. The 51s open the 2006 campaign with an eight-game home stand. Jerry Royster returns to the 51s for his second season as manager and fifth overall in Las Vegas.

The Dodgers announced that Chad Billingsley will be the opening night starter for Las Vegas. The right-hander, tabbed as the Dodger's top prospect by Baseball America, tossed five shutout innings against the Angels in the Freeway Series last Saturday night at Angel Stadium. Billingsley appeared in 28 games last season for Double-A Southern League champion Jacksonville. He compiled a 13-6 record with a 3.51 ERA. He struck out 162 batters in 146 innings.

Opening night will also feature Budweiser Dollar Beer Night. Every Thursday home game throughout the 2006 season will feature Dollar Beer Night.

Friday's game against the Grizzlies will begin at 7:05 p.m. and the traditional fireworks shows return to the ballpark. The fireworks will be presented after the final out. The 51s will also present Nevada Donor Network Night. The Nevada Donor Network will have information available about organ and tissue donation at the main entrance. All attendees who can prove they are a donor with their driver's license or signed donor card will receive a raffle ticket to win a mini batting helmet and Cosmo doll with picture, all signed by the 51s. The Nevada Donor Network website address is www.nvdonor.org/

Saturday's 7:05 p.m. (April 8) contest will feature 51s Seat Cushion Night, given out to the first 2,500 fans in attendance. The 2006 magnetic schedules will also be given out free to fans during Friday and Saturday's games while supplies last. Author Steve Sullivan of Talking Baseball Amongst Friends will be at Cashman Field for a book signing on Friday-Saturday, April 7-8. The book is a collection of interviews, short stories and memories from current and former Major League baseball players, coaches and executives. The cover price is $16.95 and some of the proceeds will be donated to charity.

The finale of the four-game series will be a matinee game on Sunday, April 9 at 12:05 p.m.

The 51s will then host the Salt Lake Bees (formerly Stingers), Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, in a four-game series from Monday-Thursday, April 10-13. All games will begin at 7:05 p.m. The finale of the home stand on Thursday will feature Budweiser Dollar Beer Night.

The Angels possess one of the top minor league systems in Major League Baseball. Right-hander Jered Weaver, rated as the Angels fifth-best prospect by Baseball America, is expected to be a member of the Bees.

The 51s will embark of the first road trip of the season from April 14-21. Las Vegas will travel to Sacramento and Fresno for a total of eight games.

Tickets for all 51s home games can be purchased at the Cashman Field box office. The box office is open Monday-Friday from Noon to 4:30 p.m. Tickets can also be purchased through TicketMaster (474-4000, www.ticketmaster.com). TicketMaster outlets are located at Smith's Food & Drug, Tower Records and Robinsons-May, located at The Fashion Show & The Galleria Mall.

The individual game tickets for the 72-game home season are priced at $7.00 (general admission), $9.00 (reserved), $10.00 (plaza) and $12 (field). The traditional $2.00 discount for Military personnel is offered on plaza, reserved and G.A. seats throughout the season except for the Holiday Fireworks shows on July 1 & 3. The Dugout Seats for the entire home schedule are sold out.

The 51s have an exciting list of promotions for the 2006 season. A total of 35 promotion dates will be featured during the home season.

Season tickets and mini-plan packages (10, 20, 33-game plans) are available by calling the 51s office at (702) 798-7825 or log on to the team's website.

Official licensed 51s team merchandise is available by calling (702) 386-8884 or visit the team's website.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from April 3, 2006


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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