Major League Baseball Launches 3×3 Format in India, Stars Embrace New Game

Mumbai, October 24 (Daily Kiran) : Major League Baseball (MLB) has officially introduced a new and fast-paced format of baseball to India. On October 24, Mumbai hosted its first 3×3 baseball competition, featuring prominent Indian cricketers like Suryakumar Yadav trying their hand at the game.

This innovative format, known as MLBX, combines power hitting, athletic defensive plays, and rapid gameplay. After its debut at the MLB All-Star Week in Philadelphia, this competition has been showcased in various cities, including London, Seoul, and Mexico City, over the past three years.

Suryakumar Yadav expressed his enthusiasm for the event, stating, “As a sport, I believe this is a significant game. I felt the energy when I visited Philadelphia and New York recently. We aim to bring a similar atmosphere here to Mumbai. The crowd there was incredible, and I’m confident that as people learn more about this sport, it will gain popularity.”

He emphasized the importance of strong hitting techniques, noting, “Good range hitting is crucial. I practiced in the net area before, but this game requires strength from your upper to lower body. Your core needs to be strong, and like these players, your arms should also be powerful. It requires hard work; nothing comes easy.”

Indian woman cricketer Radha Yadav shared her thoughts, saying, “People in India will love batting because baseball is all about hitting and powerful shots. They enjoy watching sixes, and I had a lot of fun, especially when hitting the ball. Fielding is intense; the ball comes at you so fast that you barely see it. It’s a thrilling experience. The biggest difference is that here, the focus is entirely on hitting home runs.”

Regarding her practice for upcoming matches, Radha added, “Practice is going well, and we have home matches coming up, so we’ll see what happens next.”

Indian cricketer Shardul Thakur noted the enthusiastic crowd, stating, “If you look at the stands today, many people came to watch. The young kids were excited when we attempted home runs. It’s challenging to keep hitting consistently, and the technique is different. We had to learn, but the baseball players taught us well.”

Deepak Chahar, another Indian cricketer, shared his first experience with the game, saying, “I loved it because the ball goes far. I think it’s accessible for Indians since it requires minimal equipment—just a bat and a ball. It feels a lot like street cricket, but with bases and runs.”

Jitesh Sharma also expressed gratitude for the opportunity, stating, “First, I want to thank everyone for making me feel comfortable. It was a great chance to learn something new. I enjoy learning new sports and experiences. They taught me how to swing the bat and other techniques. I know India is famous for cricket, but if some want to try baseball, why not? They could become greats in this sport and represent India or even play in Major League Baseball.”

This event marks a significant step in popularizing baseball in India, showcasing the potential for growth in a country where cricket has historically dominated.