SYDNEY Blue Sox treated the Filipino community with a heart-pumping baseball scoring spree, to trounce Melbourne Aces, 10-8, in the Sox’s final game of the season at Blacktown International Sportspark on Sunday, January 24.
It was billed as the ‘Filipino Day At The Baseball’, a special celebration by the Blue Sox of the Filipino’s love of baseball, recognised as the third most popular team sport in the Philippines.
On invitation of Blue Sox management, the game was preceded by Filipino musical and hip hop dancing entertainment, food and other display stalls, and a ceremonial first pitch by the day’s special guest, the Philippine consul general in Sydney, Anne Jalando-On Louis.
Filipino Day At The Baseball was also a prelude to a bigger event to be staged at the same venue on February 11-14: the World Baseball Qualifier Classic, where the Philippines’ national baseball team will compete.
Four national teams will take part in the World Qualifier: Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the Philippines.
“It was a good introduction and re-introduction of the game of baseball for many Filipino-Australians,” said the event’s community coordinator Josie Musa.
“A enjoyable way of preparing for the big event which, so lucky for us, will be held in our backyard.”
Although the Filipino community turnout was modest, mainly due to little time for preparations, the event delivered a colourful touch to the Blue Sox’s end-of-season game.
It was also an opportunity for mainstream spectators who experience a little Filipino fare, including food and entertainment.
