Oregon's Baseball Rivalry Takes a New Swing in Portland

The Oregon Ducks baseball team is stepping up their game after a standout season. They just won their first-ever Big Ten Championship and are now ranked No. 23 in the USA Today Coaches Poll. This puts them in a strong position as they head into the new season. The Ducks are set to face their in-state rivals, the Oregon State Beavers, in a unique location. On April 14, they will play at the brand-new Hops Ballpark in Hillsboro, just outside Portland. This is the first time since 2010 that these two teams will compete in the Portland area. Back in 2010, the Ducks and Beavers drew a massive crowd of 29, 249 fans to Providence Park. This broke a baseball attendance record for the venue. The upcoming game is part of the inaugural Northwest Elite Baseball Classic. It's a big deal for both teams and their fans. Oregon baseball coach Mark Wazikowski sees this as a chance to connect with fans and showcase top-level college baseball. He believes it will help grow the program. But why isn't Portland a regular spot for these games? It's a question worth asking.Looking back, the Ducks and Beavers have played in Portland in other sports too. Football has had six games there, and men's basketball has had two. Baseball has had three games in the area since 2009. Women's basketball and softball have yet to play there. The Oregon men's basketball team recently played Gonzaga at the Moda Center in Portland. This venue, home to the Portland Trail Blazers, has hosted other big games too. It's a suitable spot for neutral-site matchups. The Ducks and Beavers football rivalry hasn't been scheduled for the next two seasons. Athletic director Rob Mullens says they are still working things out. He believes the game will continue in the future. With conference realignment causing gaps in scheduling, playing in Portland could be a solution. It would eliminate the debate over home-field advantage. For some fans, this might not be ideal. But for the future of the rivalry, it could be a way to keep the tradition alive.