MLB is playing its first game in Tennessee, fitting a baseball field into an iconic stadium.
This year, Bristol Motor Speedway will host a new sport for the first time, adding to its iconic status on the Nascar calendar.
Major League Baseball has unveiled plans for a baseball field on the infield of Bristol Motor Speedway.
The Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds will play a special series.
The MLB is attempting to expand its reach to previously untapped venues.
In recent years, games have taken place at the Field of Dreams in Iowa, as well as in Alabama, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania.
Some teams have even traveled across the pond to play games in London.
This year’s specialty game will take place at Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee, keeping the league’s focus domestic.
MLB is excited to see how many fans turn out in Bristol on August 2.
“Big crowd, big crowd,” Manfred announced.
“We think that it’s an opportunity to have a really large audience for a major league game, and we think the setting in really a legendary speedway is going to be awesome for a baseball game.”
The game in Bristol, dubbed the Speedway Classic, has the potential to be the most attended in MLB history.
The speedway has a maximum capacity of 146,000 fans.
Dodger Stadium is the largest MLB stadium, seating 46,000 people.
MLB anticipates a large turnout of baseball and Nascar fans, with executives believing the majority will be Braves fans.
“We know that there’s a uniqueness to it that is unmatched,” Schiller told the crowd.
“Playing a baseball game at a motor speedway and being a part of it was also important because this is where some of our fans come from.
“So we think many, maybe most of those fans are going to be Atlanta Braves fans.”
MLB fans are excited to see how the game plays out and have shared their thoughts on social media.
“I like that MLB does this,” one fan remarked.
“Wow. Another fan commented, “This will be incredible.”
“So awesome,” a third fan remarked.
