Not only are the Detroit Tigers preparing to start their 75th Spring Training here in Lakeland, but college baseball spring training will be returning to Polk County starting next week.
Central Florida’s Polk County is proud to host the 2011 Russ Matt Baseball Central Florida Collegiate and High School Invitational. There will be 215 college baseball teams playing more than 800 games giving Polk County residents a unique opportunity to see the future stars of baseball from top schools around the country. The games begin on February 21 and run through April 1 and will be played at locations throughout Polk County including the Lake Myrtle Sports Park in Auburndale, the Chain of Lakes Baseball Complex in Winter Haven and schools in Bartow, Winter Haven, Lake Wales and Lakeland. Offering day, night and evening games, the Central Florida Collegiate and High School Invitational has ticket prices set at $5 for adults, $3 for youth (14 and under) and $30 for a tournament pass that will get spectators into every game. Also, another ticket option for 2011 gives spectators the opportunity to purchase a weekly pass for $20. Some of the major Division I teams that are participating include Big Ten powers Indiana, Michigan State and Ohio State and Pitt from the Big East.
Many players participating in the invitational are being scouted by Major League teams so the event is a great opportunity to see players who could be playing on a Major League team in the future, so bring your friends and family to a game and enjoy a day of baseball at the ballpark. For more information about the Central Florida Collegiate Baseball Invitational visit www.russmattbaseball.com or the new Lake Myrtle Sports Park website at www.lakemyrtlesportspark.org .
