In a groundbreaking moment for Major League Baseball (MLB), the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds are set to compete in the first regular-season MLB game hosted in Tennessee. As the anticipation builds for this historic matchup, MLB unveiled a special timelapse video that showcases the transformation of Bristol Motor Speedway into a baseball field suitable for the occasion.

The transition from a racing circuit to a baseball diamond involved significant planning and execution. Hikari Shumsky, MLB’s senior coordinator for global event operations, elaborated on the intricate processes involved in this undertaking. Shumsky emphasized that the field's setup had to be constructed entirely from scratch, noting, '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 statement highlights the scale of the effort required to facilitate the game.

The preparations included the use of several tons of gravel to ensure a level playing surface, along with the removal of a building that previously occupied the outfield area. Beyond the playing field itself, MLB has created an engaging fan zone featuring a ferris wheel and concert stage, enhancing the pregame experience for attendees. The effort invested in staging this single game is anticipated to be worthwhile, as MLB has confirmed that this event is projected to set a new regular-season attendance record, with over 85,000 tickets sold as of the latest reports. The contest, dubbed the Speedway Classic, is scheduled to commence at 7:15 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on Fox.