Sydney is set to be the first city in Australia to host the Major League Baseball’s opening season games at the Sydney Cricket Ground, on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 March 2014. Supported by Destination NSW, the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency, sporting icons the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks will descend on Sydney for the first time to play their first two games of the season, only the sixth time it’s been held and broadcast outside of the United States.

 

Two additional games on Thursday 20 and Friday 21 March will see Team Australia take on the Diamondbacks and Dodgers for the first time, giving Australia’s best baseball players the opportunity to play against some of America’s best stars.

 

To host the first games ever played in Australia, the Sydney Cricket Ground will be transformed into a Major Baseball League field. This will include the construction of an infield clay area, pitcher’s mound, dugouts and additional grandstand.  

 

Baseball on the big screen

For any sports fans that miss out on the opportunity to watch the games live at the SCG, they won’t miss out entirely, with many of Sydney’s bars and pubs getting into the baseball action.

 

Darling Harbour will come alive all week with the MLB Roadshow set to get fans of all ages in the mood for the Opening Series.  Throw a curve ball, meet some of the stars of the Australian Baseball League and join in the celebration as Sydney gets ready for the biggest sporting event of the year.

 

The Sports Bar at The Star will be televising the games, with the bar set up like a baseball pitch and bar staff decked out in baseball kits. While Cargo Bar and the Sugarmill will be showing the games live in both venues.

 

Parlour Burger, the New York style burger bar in Sydney’s CBD, will be screening all the baseball games live across four plasmas and will offer a cheese and bacon burger plus a Budweiser for $15.

 

Hot dogs, sliders and all things American

What better way to get into the baseball spirit than by enjoying a slider or hotdog at one of Sydney’s many American-inspired restaurants and bars. Soda Factory brings a slice of New York City to Surry Hills. Enter via Bobby’s Boss Dogs shop front, once inside order one of the huge hot dogs and try an apple pie-flavoured Levenstein cocktail, named after the American Pie movie.

 

Marly Kitchen at Newtown’s Marlborough Hotel combines Australian pub food with American classics. The signature dish is waffles, including US favourites Fried Chicken and Waffles and the Philly Cheese Experiment. Down the road, Hartsyard features a menu straight from the American Deep South. The US-style diner serves up golden fried chicken served with American-style scones and for dessert there is the pretzel ice cream sundae.

 

Jazz City Milk Bar in Darlinghurst is a classic, American milk bar. The diner serves authentic American burgers, hotdogs, chicken and waffles with all the trimmings, as well as milkshakes and freshly baked cherry and banana cream pies.
 

While in Darlinghurst, stop for a drink at 1950’s cocktail club inspired bar, Hinky Dinks. A mix of Mad Men meets Happy Days, the drinks list includes retro tipples such as the Banana Nuclear Daiquiri or the Hinky Fizz. The bar also serves American-style nibbles, including pulled pork sliders, pineapple fritters and New Orleans chicken skewers.

 

Across the bridge, Blue Plate in Neutral Bay features American favourites including authentic Buffalo hot wings, ribs, Jambalaya, standard of American sandwiches, plus pumpkin, pecan, or apple pie just to name a few.

 

Where to stay to be amongst the baseball action

When the baseball hits town, fans will want to be close to all the action taking place around Sydney. The QT Hotel, situated in the restored Gowings and State Theatre buildings in Sydney’s CBD, features 200 guest suites with quirky design, luxurious bedding and an indulgent oversized soaking tub.

 

The QT’s spaQ Barber Shop will get into the spirit of Major League Baseball, offering custom-created ‘Chin Music Shave’ for sluggers and guests on game day and throughout the month of March. The treatment will include the Barber Shop’s straight-edged blade shave by steam room experience and a traditional Baseball game day meal, a hot dog and beer in Parlour Lane Roasters.

 

Located in the historic Rocks district, the luxury Four Seasons Hotel Sydney overlooks Sydney Harbour with views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Offering stylish guest rooms and suites, the Hotel has recently launched a new street-front bar, Grain, and restaurant, The Woods.

 

Closer to the SCG, the Pullman Sydney Hyde Park, offers 241 spacious guestrooms. Overlooking Hyde Park, the hotel is a five minute drive from the Sydney Cricket Ground and just minutes from the shops, restaurants and nightlife of Oxford, Stanley and Crown Streets.

 

Where to play like a pro

For any baseball aficionados caught up in the buzz following the Major League games, New South Wales has 176 baseball clubs and numerous playing fields where you can pick up a bat and have a swing.

 

Blue Sox Stadium, at Blacktown International Sportspark, is the home of Sydney's professional baseball team.  The stadium was one of the two venues used for baseball at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and is highly regarded across the world as a first class venue.

 

Team Australia player, Mitch Denning’s favourite place to play is Tonkin Oval in Cronulla because the field is overlooking the water at Gunnamatta Bay. The Aquatic Reserve in Manly and Col Sutton Reserve in Baulkham Hills are also top fields for any budding baseball players.

 

To search for local baseball clubs, visit http://baseball.com.au/Find-A-Club

 

For more information on the Major League Baseball in Sydney, visit http://mlbsydney2014.com/  

 

For more information on Sydney and New South Wales, visit www.sydney.com or www.visitnsw.com

MEDIA CONTACT: 
Kate Young
kathryn.young@dnsw.com.au
02 9931 1164