East Asia Cup to reopen Rizal diamond

MANILA, Philippines — PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio is aiming for the stands to crack a homerun for Philippine baseball as his campaign to transform the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex into a vibrant hub opens a new chapter in rehabilitating the revered diamond that will be the battleground for the 15th Baseball Federation of Asia (BFA) East Asia Cup on Dec. 7-13.

The renovation is expected to be completed on or before Nov. 30 with work on a 24/7 basis. The baseball stadium was inaugurated in 1934 with American legends Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig belting homeruns in an exhibition game. There are marks on the stadium walls indicating how far their balls sailed. Several refurbishments were made through the years but none as extensive as the effort initiated by Gregorio.

PABA secretary-general Mike Asuncion said once finished, the baseball stadium will deliver a Wimbledon appeal. “Eyesore elements have been removed,” he said. “Our countrymen will be proud. We’re laying out an all-weather artificial turf compliant with BFA recommendations. The centerfield homerun fence has been extended to 400 feet. There will be lights to enable night games and an electronic scoreboard, about 12 feet tall, without touching the old, iconic scoreboard which is slated for later crafting. It will be a software-operated standard ballpark electronic digital LED scoreboard and it’s already in Manila, to be mounted soon. Safety wall paddings will be added around the field. And you won’t recognize the lockers once they’re done.  The homerun markers will be replaced by a proper Hall of Fame tribute specially re-designed, a better testament to our baseball heroes. Everything will be cleaned up inside and out. Crowd seating will be 5,000.”

Gregorio said PSC isn’t just transforming facilities but also mindsets. The inauguration of the baseball stadium is set on Dec. 6 with the first game of the BFA East Asia Cup scheduled the next day. The championship contest will be on Dec. 12.