Prospect Select Baseball Tournament Swinging into Palm Beaches

Prospect Select Baseball is bringing one of the largest high school baseball tournaments to The Palm Beaches this week.  The Palm Beach County Sports Commission is partnering with FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium, and Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation to host the Prospect Select Baseball - Palm Beach Classic for the second consecutive year.

Prospect Select Baseball is a high caliber amateur sports organization that owns a variety of robust baseball events taking place throughout the nation.  The Palm Beach Classic, which is scheduled for June 8-13, 2018, will feature over 250 teams consisting of more than 4,500 athletes. Palm Beach County’s premier baseball venues, FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium, and the Santaluces Athletic Complex, will join Tradition Field in Port St. Lucie, to offer over 30 diamonds to accommodate this tournament.

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). 

Located in West Palm Beach, FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches is Florida’s newest Major League Baseball (MLB) spring training facility and is home to the Houston Astros and Washington Nationals. The facility opened in 2017 and features a 7,500-seat stadium in addition to 12 supplementary diamonds built to MLB specifications. 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. 

“FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches is thrilled to host Prospect Select’s Palm Beach Classic in coordination with Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium, the Santaluces Athletic Complex, Tradition Field, and the Palm Beach County Sports Commission”, said Brady Ballard, FITTEAM 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 tourism elements will showcase why Palm Beach County is such a great destination.”

Located in Jupiter, Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium is the MLB spring training home for the Miami Marlins and the St. Louis Cardinals.  Roger Dean Chevrolet 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 Chevrolet Stadium”, said Mike Bauer, the General Manager of Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. The Palm Beach Classic represents a partnership between both of Palm Beach County’s spring training facilities. 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 Chevrolet Stadium and FITTEAM 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.