Following the success of trips to Tokyo, Japan, to kick-off the 2011 and 2012 seasons, Major League Baseball may be exploring moving Opening Day to Australia in 2014. Per Dylan Hernandez and Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times, MLB is “in discussions” with promoters down under to play the season’s opening series in Sydney:
MLB “in discussions” to hold Opening Day 2014 in Australia
MLB might move Opening Day down under in 2014.
Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE
A report in the Sydney Morning Herald made clear that the Dodgers are at the top of the wish list of the Australian parties involved. According to the report, the Arizona Diamondbacks would be the Dodgers’ "likely opponents" in a three-game series at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
While the Dodgers and Diamondbacks have been floated as the preferred teams, a spokesperson for MLB said that no specifics teams have been contacted in that regard. Those in Australia believe that an MLB series there could help raise the profile of the country’s professional circuit, the Australian Baseball League.
Besides the scheduling logistics of planning a series abroad, one potential obstacle in the proposed plan is players or teams expressing their concern about the 14-hour flight from Los Angeles to Sydney.
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