Braves, Marlins to play at Fort Bragg on Fourth of July weekend
Major League Baseball has come up with a new way to celebrate our military this Fourth of July weekend. The league has announced the first-of-its-kind Fort Bragg game, in which the Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins will play a regular season contest at the famous (and very populated) Army base. Mark this down as the first time any pro sport has played a regular-season game at an active military base.
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It’s happening Sunday, July 3 as part of Fort Bragg’s annual Fourth of July festivities. Fort Bragg, located in North Carolina, has a population of 250,000 people, including servicemen and women and their families. Tickets to the game will go exclusively to military families, but the game will also air on ESPN as part of Sunday Night Baseball.
In a joint announcement, both MLB and the players’ union applauded the development:
Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. said: “Major League Baseball’s boundless gratitude to our military has led us to a unique event that will benefit the men and women of Fort Bragg and their families for many years. I thank the Braves and the Marlins for their participation and all of our Clubs and Players for contributing to this gesture, which will stand as a fitting new chapter in the National Pastime’s proud and distinguished military history.”
MLBPA Executive Director Tony Clark said: “As the son of a Navy officer, I am extremely proud to stand with all Players and Major League Baseball as we honor our nation’s military and our country, through the playing of a regular season game in historic FortBragg on Fourth of July weekend. Many players are the grandsons, sons and brothers of men and women who have served or continue to serve our country. This one-of-a-kind ballpark construction project provides us with an opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to all who serve to protect our great nation.”
The coolest part of this news isn’t the game, however, it’s what Clark hinted at in the end of his statement — a new ballpark is being built specifically for the game. The 12,500-seat stadium that’s being created by MLB and the players’ union as a gift to Fort Bragg.
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The new stadium will host the game, then will be converted into a softball field and multi-purpose facility for those who serve at Fort Bragg. That sounds like a home run.
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Mike Oz is the editor of Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @MikeOz
