Basics for the MLB London Series

Saturday, 1:00 PM New York time, on Fox. Actually, first pitch is set for 1:10, but they need a few minutes for a preview. That's 6:10 PM, London time. Announcers: Joe Buck and John Smoltz.

Sunday, 10:00 AM New York time, on ESPN. Announcers: Matt Vasgersian, Jessica Mendoza, and "Yankee Legend" Alex Rodriguez.

The games will be played at the London Stadium, the main venue for the 2012 Olympics, and now the home of East End soccer team West Ham United. (I know, it confused me at first, too, but West Ham is part of East London.)

Not Wembley, the Home of Football. Not Twickenham, the Home of Rugby. And certainly not Wimbledon, the Home of Tennis.

You'd think it would be Lord's, the Home of Cricket, which has enough space. But it only seats 28,000. Add the capacity of the other major cricket venue in the London area, 25,500, and it still wouldn't be enough.

But the London Stadium has the capacity, 60,000 seats, and almost enough space. Center field will be a little short, about 385 feet from home plate, so there will be a higher fence there, about 17 feet. The foul poles will be a reasonable 330 feet.

Unfortunately, the games will be on artificial turf. But the Red Sox will be the official home team, so that's 2 fewer games we have to play at Fenway Park this season. Despite being the visiting team, the Yankees will wear their home Pinstriped uniforms.

Each team has been allowed to bring 28 players, with 26 being eligible, 1 more than usual, in case of emergency. Hey, you never know: A player could get jet-lagged, or, if they stay at the Canary Wharf Marriott, food poisoning. (Oh shit, he went there!) Damn right I did. I'm not only a Yankee Fan, but an Arsenal fan.

The Yankees have brought Reggie Jackson, Hideki Matsui, Andy Pettitte, Alex Rodriguez and Nick Swisher on the trip. I can't find a list of "honored" guests for the Red Sox.

Somebody asked if Neville Chamberlain was going to throw out the ceremonial first ball. I said no, because Bud Selig has already appeased the Red Sox for many years. Prince Harry will be on hand, as the member of the royal family who has spent the most time in America, and I suspect he will throw out the first ball.

Major League Baseball is so confident, they're doing it again next year. Same venue. On June 13 and 14, 2020, it will be 1 of the 2 big National league rivalries, the Chicago Cubs and the St. Louis Cardinals. I was sure they were going to select the other big NL rivalry: The Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants. Maybe that will be for 2021.