Padres to play Dodgers in Major League baseball exhibitions in China
LOS ANGELES (AFP) — China will host its first professional baseball games in March, when the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres meet in two exhibition contests, Major League Baseball said.
MLB and the players' union jointly announced the plans for the MLB China Series 2008, which will take place March 15-16 at the 12,000-seat Wukesong Baseball Field, which is the venue for baseball at the 2008 Olympic Games.
"Major League Baseball's international growth has been nothing short of remarkable, and we are thrilled that the Padres and the Dodgers will showcase our sport to the people of China by playing in MLB China Series 2008," commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement.
"I would like to thank the Dodgers and the Padres, the Major League Baseball Players Association, the China Baseball Association, Wukesong Group and all the parties who have made this momentous trip possible. We are greatly anticipating this wonderful opportunity."
The Dodgers already have links with China. In 1980 the club helped build the first practice field in Beijing and funded construction of a baseball stadium - named Dodger Stadium - 75 miles southeast of the capital in Tianjin.
"The Dodgers' ties to Asia date back more than half a century," said Dodgers owner and chairman Frank McCourt. "So it's only fitting that as we celebrate 50 years in Los Angeles, we are fortunate enough to take part in this historic series."
Players' union chief Donald Fehr said the event was an exciting milestone for baseball.
"We are honored that the China Baseball Association has invited us to share Major League Baseball with the people of China, and look forward with great anticipation to being in Beijing for these historic games," the union chief said in a statement.
