Marlins, Braves to play on military base July 3

NEW YORK - The Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins will play on the U.S. military base at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on July 3 in a 12,500-capacity ballpark to be built with funding by Major League Baseball and the players' association.

The ballpark will be converted to a softball field after the game, which MLB claims is the "first regular season game of a professional sport ever played on an active military base."

"Major League Baseball's boundless gratitude to our military has led us to a unique event that will benefit the men and women of Fort Bragg and their families for many years," commissioner Rob Manfred said.

"I thank the Braves and the Marlins for their participation and all of our Clubs and Players for contributing to this gesture, which will stand as a fitting new chapter in the National Pastime's proud and distinguished military history."

The game was originally scheduled to be played at Atlanta's Turner Field, and the Braves will remain the home team. The game will be televised by ESPN as part of its Sunday night baseball schedule.