Dodgers and D’Backs Reportedly Will Start 2014 Season in Australia

Well, this should be interesting.

Reportedly, the two teams involved in last night’s intense benches clearing brawl will open up the 2014 MLB season in Australia. The story broke from Andrew Clennell of the Daily Telegraph, who said “US Major League Baseball is coming to Sydney, with the opening series of next season – between the LA Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks – to be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground next March.” He continued on with “In a $13 million coup for the state government, the opening series of theMLB will be held at the SCG on Saturday March 22 and Sunday March 23 – the first time a competitive US baseball fixture will be held in Australia and only the sixth time one has been staged outside America.” 

This matchup should be interesting for a number of reasons. It will be interesting to see how the Sydney Cricket Ground will play as a baseball stadium. It should also be interesting to see just how many people come out for the match, as Australia, unlike Japan (where the 2012 season kicked off) does not have a marked interest in baseball.

It’s important to note that this event has not been officially confirmed by Major League Baseball. However, Australian sports minister Graham Annesley spoke of the event, which gives it some weight. He said “Sydney has a history of hosting significant baseball games at the SCG, with the Chicago White Sox playing against a combined NSW team in 1914,” he said.”The SCG will be transformed into an MLB field, with the construction of an infield clay area, pitcher’s mound, dugouts and additional grandstand.”

With the newly sparked Dodgers-B’Backs rivalry, this should be a very interesting opener for the 2014 season.

UPDATE : The MLB Player’s Association has just confirmed this news: