All Set Down Under for Major League Baseball Opening Day

By Francisco Romero

The teams have arrived, the Sydney Cricket Ground has been transformed into a baseball stadium and all tickets have been sold, now it’s time to play ball.  The Arizona Diamondbacks and the Los Angeles Dodgers are ready to open the 2014 MLB season in Australia. 

The Dodgers and the Diamondbacks will play a double-header on Saturday to start the season. The first game is scheduled to start at 1:00 p.m. followed by a 7:00 p.m. game.

Both teams arrived Monday and visited SCG with the Diamondbacks having a light workout early in the day. 

SCG has been transformed into a baseball stadium with red clay arriving from the United States, a newly built outfield fence, a warning track and new dugouts. 45,000 fans are expected to attend the opening games.

“We want to win, that’s No. 1. We’re all taking a guest. We’re going to have some time to enjoy Australia and enjoy the culture and the people. But at the same time, we’re there for baseball,” mentioned Diamondbacks Manager Kirk Gibson before taking of to Australia.

The Diamondbacks will be the home team for both games.

The last time two major league teams faced each other at SCE was 100 years ago when the New York Giants faced the Chicago White Sox in an exhibition game.

Pitchers Zack Greinke and Dan Haren did not travel with the team (Dodgers) to Australia.

During both games in Australia, the new replay format, that Major League Baseball will be using for the first time this season will not be operating.

After the opening series in Australia the Dodgers will come back to the United States to complete their Spring Training schedule against the Los Angeles Angels in a three game series and the Diamondbacks will finish Spring Training against the Cubs, Reds and Indians.