BY ADAM MC LEAN

Following Friday's announcement in Guadalajara, Mexico, awarding Toronto and the Greater Golden Horseshoe Area rights to host the 2015 Pan American Games, it became official that the ball diamonds around Richmond Green will serve as a practice facility and game venue for some of the best young baseball players in the world.

The quad-annual games showcase the best amateur athletes across the Americas and the Caribbean, commencing at various sites throughout the Greater Toronto Area and the diamonds at Richmond Green will act as little brother to the the Game's other baseball venue, Toronto's Rogers Centre.

Richmond Green Diamond #4 will serve as the main stage where teams not only battle for Pan Am supremacy, but the tournament's top two teams also automatically qualify for a place in the 2016 Olympic Games.

While any definitive schedule is still years away, event organizers said Richmond Green is expected to host preliminary round games, while playoffs and the gold medal matches are likely to be held at Rogers Centre.

Still, what makes Diamond #4 an ideal venue to compliment the Rogers Centre is not only the close proximity to Toronto, but also the park's dimensions.

Constructed in 1993, Diamond #4 has the exact dimensions of the Rogers Centre and the surrounding available land allows for the installment of temporary bleachers that can accommodate up to 10,000 spectators and ample parking around the diamonds and the surrounding recreation area.

Councillor Arnie Warner lead Richmond Hill's bid to land Richmond Green as an event venue and he said the town will be ready to play host to the old ball game, like never before.

"We know what steps need to be taken. It is a major task but one that I am confident can be met with great success," Mr. Warner said in a previous interview.

"It is not just about hosting games or building a temporary stadium. That is the sexy stuff. The real highlight will be the lasting effect this could have on our community," he added.

The site was also a proposed venue for the failed Toronto Summer Olympic bid for the 2008 games.

Representatives from Parks, Recreation and Culture plan to be in further contact with Pan Am organizers in the coming days to further explore how Richmond Hill can be involved further and possibly act as a training venue for other events.

The 2015 Pan Am Games run for 17 days, July 10 to 26, followed by the Parapan Games running for eight days, August 7 to 14. Seventeen municipalities around the Greater Golden Horseshoe from Minden to Welland will host events.

The next Pan American Games will be hosted by Guadalajara, Mexico in 2011.

For more information about the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games, visit www.toronto2015.org.

Pan Am Baseball Bits

- Canada's best baseball finish was a bronze medal at the 1999 Pan-Am Games held in Winnipeg; defeating Mexico 9-2. It was also the last time a Canadian Baseball team competed in the tournament.

- Cuba has won the last 10 baseball gold medals at the Pan Am Games, 12 all-together, including gold at the first Pan Am Games in 1951.

- The United States (1967), Venezuela (1959) and the Dominican Republic (1955) have each won baseball gold once.

- The United States has won the last three baseball silver medals.

[source: USABaseball.com, Pan Am Games, Sports123.com]

Some notable players from passed Pan Am Games include:

Mark Mulder (USA)

Brad Penny (USA)

JC Romero (USA)

Milton Bradley (USA)

Stubby Clapp (Canada)

Jose Contreras (Cuba)

Huston Streeet (USA)

Jared Weaver (USA)