Major League Baseball (MLB) officials are optimistic next year’s groundbreaking series between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the LA Dodgers in Sydney will be more than just a one-off.
Fresh from their bitter battle for last season’s National League West title, the two teams will meet in an official two-game MLB series at the SCG on March 22 and 23 to open the new baseball season.
The MLB has previously held season-openers in Japan and Diamondbacks president and chief executive Derrick Hall said he jumped at the chance to host two of their home games in Australia in a project that has been seven years in the making.
And the Diamondbacks boss said the highly anticipated matches are unlikely to be a hit-and-run mission.
“I’m hopeful that this series will be the first of many,” Hall told AAP at the SCG on Monday.
“I don’t see why that won’t be the case. It makes sense for us to be in the rotation with Major League Baseball to be playing games here every year or every other year.
“When there was talk about the possibility of coming here we jumped at the chance and it has exceeded expectations. The Major League have been pleasantly surprised at the reaction from fans here.
“We are very excited about playing two games at such a historic venue that look like being sold out… we are looking forward to putting on a show.
“There has been a lot of focus on Asia, in Taiwan and Japan and to us Australia just made sense and hopefully we can make it a regular thing.
It was a sentiment backed by the Diamondbacks’ superstar first baseman Paul Goldschmidt.
“It’s something that could definitely happen regularly,” he said.
“It is a matter for the front office but I don’t see any reason why that couldn’t happen.
“All the players are really excited about coming down here and it’s a great opportunity for all of us.
“The Major League Baseball are always looking for ways to expand and I don’t see why a regular game here couldn’t be successful.”
Adam Smith
Guest
This is awesome, I'd love to see Baseball grow in this country. Personally I'm getting sick of Cricket. I'm tired of hearing about all the complaining and whinging about T20 cricket ruining the game. I never liked Test matches and One Dayers are dead now. T20 is the best thing they have going for them. Then it's Shane Warne constantly stirring the pot in the media even though he retired many many years ago. Sick of hearing about Australia's poor performances, sick of finger pointing, of Michael Clarke's bad back, of his apparent feud with Shane Watson. Tired of David Warner's twitter rants and news articles about his form. Tired of 'player rotation' policy and oldies like Mark Taylor chiming in and saying only India has decent batters. I think it's time for a change and after watching a few good World Series games I am really keen on this new ABL season and will be going to as many games as possible. MLB game in Australia is the best thing that could have happened, seriously. I think we'll see a sell out crowd and it should definitely get people talking about Baseball here. If Americans are looking for expansion opportunities right now is the perfect time. I think we all need a new game to dig into.
Kasey
Guest
Even I'll admit that in location, ie North America, when taking in a game of the local variety, it is hard not to roll the eyes at the constant urging of "Third Down - Make Some Noise!!!!" I'm a football fan I make noise the whole game, not just when some annoying ex-radio DJ in a booth in the stadium thinks I should. The culture is very different, but that is a big part of the appeal of travel, to experience these different cultures.
Mark Pybus
Roar Guru
The NBA needs to take notice!!!!
Ben
Guest
The last time the NFL came to Sydney they were humiliated, the crowd were bored senseless and did not hide their disdain for the turgid nature of the spectacle.
Kasey
Guest
I don’t know where it comes from, perhaps my one years of schooling in New Jersey as a 5 year old? but I’ve always been able to grab a bit of enjoyment from watching North American Sports: Gridiron, baseball and Ice Hockey, but never really got into Basketball even in the Jordan Golden Years. I read an interesting piece when I was in the USA recently discussing possible NFL expansion cities. Alpha world cities such as London and Tokyo were mentioned and discussed. I doubt a team in Australia’s Alpha world city (Sydney) would work, but Tokyo would put an NFL team in the Australian time zone which I’m sure would appeal to other people like me who enjoy the NFL!