Friday, April 25, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Dodgers want upgrades to Cashman -- or else

By KEVIN IOLE
REVIEW-JOURNAL

The Los Angeles Dodgers' future in Las Vegas will hinge on improvements to Cashman Field, a top Dodgers official said Thursday.

Dan Evans, the team's general manager, said he loves the proximity between Los Angeles and Las Vegas but that Cashman Field must be upgraded for the working relationship to continue. The 51s are the Triple-A farm club of the Dodgers.

The Player Development Contract between the Dodgers and the 51s expires after the 2004 season. Evans refused to speculate what would happen if no improvements were made by then, but he left little doubt that the Dodgers expect major improvements.

"There have been a lot of new facilities built, and we're just asking for things that will enable us to get our daily work in," said Evans, who watched Las Vegas' 8-2 victory over the Sacramento River Cats. "It's what we do. We develop players. And we need to have certain things to help us do that."

Don Logan, the 51s president and general manager, has had a new stadium on his wish list for years.

In the last four years, he has seen new Pacific Coast League stadiums opened in Oklahoma City, Memphis, Tenn., Albuquerque, N.M., Fresno, Calif., and Sacramento, Calif. All have player development amenities that Cashman Field lacks, including indoor batting and pitching cages and a weight room.

Before the 2002 season, the Dodgers played an exhibition game in Las Vegas. The weather forecast called for rain, but it was Dodgers pitcher Kevin Brown's day to throw on the side. If Cashman, which opened in 1983, had an indoor area for pitchers to throw, Brown would have made the trip.

But the Dodgers were concerned that Brown wouldn't get his work completed if it rained, so they left him at their spring training complex in Vero Beach., Fla.

"Ideally, I would not have done that," Evans said. "Our hand was forced. We compromised, but we had to compromise in favor of what was in our best interests. That's the way we had to go. And that's the type of thing I'd rather not have to go through again."

Logan said an architect was in Las Vegas before the season to determine the feasibility of renovating Cashman Field. Mayor Oscar Goodman has been lukewarm to the idea of public funds to either build a new facility or renovate Cashman.

Evans said he has made the Dodgers' stance known to the 51s and city and county officials.

"The important thing is that these are things that have already been discussed and that it's no surprise to the people who are affiliated with the ballpark," Evans said. "They know we've been stating this fact for an extended period. It's not only going to affect the relationship with the Dodgers but any club that would be affiliated with this franchise in the future.

"We're not being selfish, but we're looking out for the development of our guys. Don Logan probably runs the best operation in minor-league baseball, and I love the proximity, but there are aspects of this park that are lacking."