Atlanta Braves Invade Ft. Bragg (Part 1): If you Build it, We Will Salute

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Jun 14, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; An American flag is dropped over the center field wall during the playing of the national anthem prior to a game between the Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

Less than one year from concept to reality

Somebody at Major League baseball had an idea late last year. We can only guess how exactly it might have progressed, but I’m hoping it went something like this:

The idea started about how to honor the military by having a major league game with only them in attendance. But somewhere in the process of fleshing out this idea, the scheme was entirely turned around.

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Let’s bring the game to the military instead.

This suddenly became a lot bigger deal.

MLB and the MLB Players Association got together and decided to be joint co-sponsors of the event. It would be their gift to the military. And that really got things rolling.

The speed at which this idea blossomed into reality is truly breath-taking. Mike Teevan, Vice President of Communications for the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball gave TomahawkTake a rundown of that timeline:

"We first had discussions about various possibilities last off-season. We conducted a site survey at Fort Bragg to gauge the feasibility. We also needed the approval of the Department of Defense (DOD). Once we had the approvals we needed, we announced the event in partnership with the MLBPA on March 8th – less than four months away from the date of the game."

The Department of Defense? Yes – that was necessary, since military property was technically being used for a non-military purpose, and though this entire enterprise is intended to be a gift, there would undouted

Christina Douglas is the Deputy Director of Public Affairs and Chief of Media Relations for Ft. Bragg. While others at the base were consulted earlier (as noted above), she first learned that this might be a “thing” sometime in February. She adds that in addition to DOD approval, a sign-off from Congress was also necessary – since that body appropriates the funds for the Department of Defense.

Additionally, it seems that even the idea that providing a “gift” to the military like this required approvals.

But everyone signed off. The game was officially on.

The Announcement

Thus, on March 8th, the first press releases were issued to announce this to the world.

"BRAVES, MARLINS TO PLAY AT FORT BRAGG JULY 3rd “Fort Bragg Game” Will Celebrate Nation’s Military on Fourth of July Weekend (March 8, 2016) FORT BRAGG N.C. — The Atlanta Braves and the Miami Marlins will play a first-of-its-kind regular season game in celebration of the nation’s Service members at Fort Bragg, NC on Sunday, July 3rd, Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) jointly announced today. The game will air nationally on ESPN’s “Sunday Night Baseball” and ESPN Radio at 8p.m.(EST). A new 12,500-capacity ballpark constructed by MLB and the MLBPA will host the “Fort Bragg Game” during the installation’s annual Fourth of July festivities. Following the game, in which the Braves will be the home team, the ballpark will be converted to a permanent softball field and multi-purpose facility for those who serve at Fort Bragg, a gift courtesy of the Major League Clubs and Players. This event will mark the first regular season game of a professional sport ever played on an active military base."

Next: Braves Ink Ian

In the next installment, we’ll start looking at the effort required to get this event off the concept phase and into reality.

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