BY JAIME PIMENTEL – A FILIPINO DAY at the baseball takes place at Blacktown’s Blue Sox Stadium on Sunday 24 January 2016.
The Blue Sox play a four-day series against Melbourne Aces from Thursday, January 21 to Sunday, January 24, 2016.
Filipino community sports fans, especially those in Sydney’s west, have all but adopted the Blue Sox as their own.
Sox executive director Bob Turner has set aside one home game this season in recognition of the Filipino community’s support.
Plans are underway to have Filipino food stalls, displays, and world-class hip-hop showcased by MAS Presents for the celebration.
Baseball and soccer football have ranked second only to basketball as the most popular spectator and participants’ sporting codes in the Philippines.
The Filipino Baseball Day will also be a prelude to the Philippines’ participation in the 2015 World Baseball Qualifier Classic scheduled for February 11-14, 2016 in Blacktown, at Blue Sox Stadium.
A newly formed local Filipino support group is planning a reception for the Philippine national baseball team’s arrival in Sydney, followed by some community activities for the players, and a fitting farewell – win or lose.
The group is calling on the Filipino community to throw its support behind the Blue Sox initiative to stage the Filipino Baseball Day.
In a message to the Filipino community, Turner said:
“I know all too well the passion of the Filipino community when it comes to basketball. A game with the Sydney Kings at Mt Druitt or my team the Singapore Slingers playing the likes of PBA Champions like San Miguel were inspirational.
“We now have another American sport , baseball, paving the way in Australia through the ownership and influence of Major League Baseball (MLB).
“MLB has organised an official leg of the World Baseball Classic qualifying tournament from the 11th to the 14th of February (2016) and the Philippines are one of the four national teams to be invited to play at Blue Sox Stadium in Blacktown.
“To introduce the Filipino community to the game we are hosting a “Filipino Day” on Sunday, the 24th of January when the Sydney Blue Sox host the Melbourne Aces.
“Game time is 1pm, and we hope you can bring the entire family to experience baseball at its best.”