Major League Baseball is undoubtedly America’s favorite pastime, but that doesn’t mean that the league is simply resting on its laurels and not looking for ways to improve the sport. One way is to bring the action of the MLB to fans abroad, but fans shouldn’t worry: the World Series isn’t moving overseas. Spring Training, though, may be another story. ESPN has recently reported that the MLB is contemplating having a few spring training games in Italy. The games could happen as soon as 2011 or in 2012, and various locations around Italy are part of the discussion. Italian baseball fans would inevitably be excited to see their favorite players play locally.
Puerto Rican baseball fans won’t have to wait as long to see baseball locally. The Florida Marlins and New York Mets are set to play three games in Puerto Rico this summer from June 28-30. The games will be held at the Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The games will be considered home games for the Marlins. The teams have both played in Puerto Rico before, when the Montreal Expos played there years ago. The Mets have also played in Mexico and Japan. The Hiram Bithorn Stadium has hosted many MLB games over the years, like World Baseball Classic tournament games and the Opening Day game in 2001.
The excitement will be all about the United States on Monday, April 5, when the Washington Nationals kick off their season against the Philadelphia Phillies. President Barack Obama will be on hand to throw out the ceremonial first pitch, and the occasion will be a historic one. When Obama takes the mound, it will be the 100th anniversary of when President William Howard Taft threw the first pitch on April 14, 1910, the first president to throw the first pitch on Opening Day. Taft threw the first pitch in a game between the Washington Senators and the Philadelphia Athletics.
The game between the Nationals and Phillies would have already been popular, but having the president there will surely lead to an increased interest in <a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:_gaq.push([‘_trackPageview’, ‘/outgoing/article_exit_link’]);” href=”http://www.stubhub.com/mlb-tickets/”>MLB tickets</a>, which are available at <a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:_gaq.push([‘_trackPageview’, ‘/outgoing/article_exit_link’]);” href=”http://www.stubhub.com/”>StubHub.com</a>. According to MLB.com, Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig said, “Opening Day of the baseball season is a special event for our country and its importance has been reinforced by the 100-year history of presidential participation. I am proud that President Obama will continue the long presidential tradition of throwing out the first pitch of Opening Day in Washington, D.C.”
The players have their own reason to celebrate, as they have pledged to donate a record million to the Baseball Assistance Team. The donations come from players spanning 30 different clubs. According to the MLB, the B.A.T. is a charitable organization that uses charitable contributions to support those in the baseball family with “financial, psychological or physical burdens.” Along with players, donations also come from corporations, foundations and other individuals. The B.A.T. has given out over million in grants throughout its past.
This article was written by Julie Cudney and is sponsored by <a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:_gaq.push([‘_trackPageview’, ‘/outgoing/article_exit_link’]);” href=”http://www.stubhub.com/”>StubHub.com</a>. StubHub sells tickets to sporting events, concerts and theater productions. Go to StubHub.com for <a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:_gaq.push([‘_trackPageview’, ‘/outgoing/article_exit_link’]);” href=”http://www.stubhub.com/mlb-tickets/”>MLB tickets</a>.
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