In a historic moment for Major League Baseball (MLB), the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds are set to play the first regular-season game in the state of Tennessee. To commemorate this unique occasion, the league released a timelapse video showcasing the extensive preparations at Bristol Motor Speedway, transforming the renowned racing venue into a baseball field suitable for professional play.

Hikari Shumsky, MLB's senior coordinator for global event operations, provided insights into the complexities involved in this transformation. As mentioned in an interview with Manny Randhawa of MLB.com, the process required building all necessary facilities from the ground up. Shumsky highlighted, 'Bristol Motor Speedway is a professional NASCAR facility. Anything in the baseball configuration there doesn’t exist unless we build it. If we don’t build dugouts, they don’t exist. If we don’t build bullpens, they don’t exist. Clubhouses, all of that.' This meticulous planning included several tons of gravel to ensure a level playing surface and the removal of a structure in the outfield area.

In addition to creating a playing field for the matchup, MLB established a fan zone featuring attractions such as a ferris wheel and a concert stage, designed to enhance the pregame experience for attendees. The effort invested in this single game is expected to yield significant rewards, as MLB has announced that ticket sales have already surpassed the 85,000 mark, making it a potential record-setting event for regular-season attendance. The 'Speedway Classic' featuring the Braves and Reds is scheduled to commence at 7:15 p.m. ET, with a nationwide broadcast on Fox.