Palm Beach Classic Looking Like a Grand Slam for Area | Sports Destination Management

Palm Beach Classic Looking Like a Grand Slam for Area

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Nov 28, 2016

Prospect Select Baseball will bring one of the largest high school baseball tournaments to The Palm Beaches during the summer of 2017.  The Palm Beach County Sports Commission is partnering with The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, Roger Dean Stadium, and Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation to host Prospect Select Baseball’s national showcase, renamed as the Palm Beach Classic.   Prospect Select Baseball is a high caliber amateur baseball organization that owns a variety of robust baseball events that takes place throughout the nation. 

The Palm Beach Classic will attract elite travel teams from across the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, and the Bahamas. These teams will compete in a wood bat only format, featuring three age groups (14U, 16U, & 18U). The partnership with Prospect Select will deliver one of the largest high school baseball tournaments in the United States to Palm Beach County.  The Palm Beach Classic, which is scheduled for June 9-14, 2017, will feature over 200 teams consisting of more than 3,000 athletes. Palm Beach County’s premier baseball venues, The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, Roger Dean Stadium, and the Santaluces Athletic Complex, will come together along with Tradition Field in Port St. Lucie, to offer over 30 diamonds to accommodate the arrival of baseball players and baseball games. 

Prospect Select Baseball will also bring its prestigious TOPPS Showcase to Palm Beach County.  The TOPPS Showcase will take place in conjunction with the Palm Beach Classic and features 80 of the most talented high school baseball players in the country.  These players will compete in a variety of skills competitions before playing in the TOPPS Showcase game. 

The Palm Beach Classic will be one of the first amateur baseball tournaments to take place at the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. Located in West Palm Beach, The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches is Florida’s newest Major League Baseball (MLB) spring training facility and will be home to the Houston Astros and Washington Nationals. The facility will open for the 2017 Grapefruit League Season and features a 7,500 seat stadium in addition to 12 supplementary diamonds built to MLB specifications. 

“The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches is thrilled to host the Prospect Select’s Palm Beach Classic in coordination with Roger Dean Stadium, the Santaluces Athletic Complex, Tradition Field, and the Palm Beach County Sports Commission”, said Brady Ballard, Ballpark of the Palm Beaches’ General Manager.  “With four premier facilities for amateur baseball, the experience these athletes and families will enjoy alongside the many great tourist elements will showcase why Palm Beach County is such a great destination”.

Located in Jupiter, Roger Dean Stadium is the MLB spring training home for the Miami Marlins and the St. Louis Cardinals.  Currently home to an impressive collection of amateur baseball tournaments, Roger Dean Stadium is comprised of 12 MLB baseball diamonds in addition to its 7,000 seat stadium field.

“We are excited to host Prospect Select at Roger Dean Stadium”, said Mike Bauer, the General Manager of Roger Dean Stadium. The Palm Beach Classic is the first of many new events that will represent a partnership between Roger Dean Stadium and The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches.  This collaborative effort will grow sports tourism in Palm Beach County.”

The Santaluces Athletic Complex, located in Lantana, was the former spring training facility for the Montreal Expos. The complex is owned and operated by Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation and maintains four (4) lighted baseball diamonds of professional dimensions. 

 “For many years, Palm Beach County has been a premier destination for baseball events and we’re excited about the opportunity to partner with our Sports Commission, Roger Dean Stadium and The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches to facilitate Prospect Select and its Palm Beach Classic”, remarked Eric Call, Director of Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation.  “We’re pleased to be able to present our award-winning park system and sports venues to visitors and I know that all of the participants will enjoy their experience.”

The Palm Beach Classic will be one of the largest amateur sports events taking place in Palm Beach County during the summer of 2017.  In addition to home runs and great catches, this event will bring tremendous economic benefits.  The influx of visitors will create an estimated $4 million in visitor spending while generating a strong boost to hotel occupancy levels.  

“We are extremely excited about the 2016 Palm Beach Classic. The nation’s best travel organizations in amateur baseball and the nation’s premier baseball players will be on display at world class venues in The Palm Beaches”, said Prospect Select Baseball Regional Director, Jeremy Plexico.  “We are proud that one of our premier events will make history taking place during the inaugural season of The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches."

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