Marlins, Braves To Play Game At Fort Bragg In New Stadium

Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association on Tuesday announced the Marlins and Braves will play a game at a newly constructed field in Fort Bragg, N.C., on July 3 to honor the U.S. military.

The 12,500-capacity ballpark will be built through the financial support of MLB and the players union and, after the July 3 game, will be converted to a softball field and multi-purpose facility for personnel at Fort Bragg, the nation’s most-populated military installation with more than 250,000 people.

Architecture firm Populous, formerly known as HOK—builders of dozens of pro sports arenas and stadiums—is involved with construction and ground was broken this week, an MLB spokesman said, with less than four months to construct the facility.

Dimensions for the park will be standard major league distances—331 feet down the lines, 387 feet to the power alleys and 405 feet to center.

The land the stadium will be built on is the site of a now-closed golf course that was part of the installation. Attendance to the game will be limited to those with a Department of Defense I.D.

The game will be broadcast by ESPN as part of its Sunday Night Baseball package.

“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,” commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. “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.”

In a statement, Col. Brett Funck, the Fort Bragg Garrison Commander, said, “This historic event and the converted multipurpose facility will have enduring benefits for our entire Fort Bragg community for years to come.”

Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said, “This is a unique and exciting chance to play in front of some of our military troops and their families. We have tremendous respect for what they do and it is an honor for us to have this opportunity,” while first-year Marlins manager Don Mattingly said, “The opportunity to participate in this game is truly humbling.”