On heels of Caribbean Series success, Marlins want to host World Baseball Classic again
To say that the Caribbean Series has been a success so far is an understatement.
With an attendance that has exceeded 30,000 spectators and a massive response from the Miami fan base, the organizers of the event are rubbing their hands and congratulating themselves on the decision to come to the Sun Capital.
Caroline O’Connor, President of Business Operations for the Marlins, has been one of the forces behind the idea of bringing the Caribbean Series to loanDepot park and even she has been surprised by the reception from the fans, even though the event has not yet entered its main phase.
The Marlins, without a doubt, have become experts when it comes to organizing this type of massive competition because the last World Baseball Classic - with all its phases from the first to the final - exceeded all expectations, but this thing about the Caribbean Series is becoming a grand slam.
And the best is yet to come. Here’s an interview conducted earlier this week with O’Connor:
▪ How do you rate what has happened so far in the tournament?
“It has been spectacular. The energy. The fans coming to the stadium, the games on the field. They really have been spectacular days and let’s wait to see what the rest of the week brings us.”
▪ What do you say to the rest of the baseball world about this happening in Miami?
“It tells the world that we are the home of baseball, that we have a lot of local fans who come to watch the games, but also a lot of people who love to travel to Miami and who feel in the right place for these games. The energy, the music, the dancing, you know, this is the ideal place for these games to be held.”
▪ Have you talked to the people of the Caribbean Confederation?
“Yes, and I think they are delighted. They love bringing the game to their local fans, but this is showing them that people also want to travel and support their teams on the road, that they really support Caribbean baseball. They know it should be on the biggest stage and we are the biggest, the loanDepot park in downtown Miami.”
▪ Do you have any updated information on the World Classic bid?
“We continue working with the MLB. They are experts in organizing a tournament like this. We have learned a lot from Jim Small and the entire MLB international team and have contacted them to organize this tournament. But yes, we hope to hear from them at the beginning of April.”
▪ How is the organization of this tournament different from a Classic?
“We take care of a lot of the work that the MLB usually does. They handle a lot of the travels and sponsorships. They helped us a lot by giving us recommendations on how to do it. We worked very closely with the Confederation. It was a great effort, and our team has worked very hard in the preparation. Three games a day for the first seven days is a big challenge. They are doing a great job and they do it with a smile.”
▪ Do you think this opens the door for more winter league games in Miami?
“Yes, I think so. I think we’ve proven we have the fan bases here. People want to come; they want to have fun and support these teams. So we would love to have additional games during the year.”
▪ How to turn this type of attendance into a benefit for the Marlins?
“We want to exceed their expectations and make them have fun while they are here. But the best of all is that we see people coming from the streets to attend the games. We know that a big part of this fan base is here all the time. And we really want them to come back to Marlins games. Meanwhile, we are promoting the Opening Day. We hope they come back and join us because there will be many Caribbean players on March 28.”
▪ Is there an option to host the Caribbean Series again in 2028?
“At some point in the future we would love to host a tournament again. I think it’s already been announced that it won’t be until 2028. So I think that would be the first opportunity. But yes, we would love to organize it again and we have told the Confederation.”
