Visit Sarasota County: Sports Info

Sports

Networking for New Events

Shelby Connect and Sarah Thomas will be traveling to the National Association of Sports Commission’s Annual Symposium May 6 to May 10. The show will be attended by over a hundred events rights holders. As we prepare to meet potential event organizers, we ask any of our hotel partners to let us know if their peak season (February- April) availability for groups has changed. Contact Sarah Thomas at [email protected] with any comments or questions.

Event	Start Date	End Date	Location	Sport	Estimated Room Nights
643 Travel Ball Tournaments	April 12, 2019	June 2, 2019	Cal Ripken, Babe Ruth, 17th Street, Miss Sarasota	Baseball	1000
FSRA Sculling	April 13, 2019	April 14, 2019	Nathan Benderson Park	Rowing	400
Sunshine State Conference Rowing Championship	April 25, 2019	April 26, 2019	Nathan Benderson Park	Rowing	50
2019 Pro-Am Racquetball Tournament	April 26, 2019	April 29, 2019	Sarasota Bath and Racquet Club	Racquetball	450
Sarasota Cup	April 26, 2019	April 28, 2019	Premiere Sports Campus	Soccer	2500
FSRA Sweeps	April 27, 2019	April 28, 2019	Nathan Benderson Park	Rowing	1300

ARCHIVE

March 2019 Sports Team News

Sarasota Picked to Host International Youth Championship

After 26 years abroad, Visit Sarasota County is excited to announce the U-18 World Baseball Cup will return to the U.S. right here in Southwest Florida! In March, the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) announced VSC will co-host the tournament in collaboration with the Baltimore Orioles, Bradenton Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, and the Pittsburgh Pirates. The sports team has worked diligently to bring this event to Sarasota County since early 2017. The event itself will be in September 2021 and bring 12 international teams to the destination, including Team USA which will automatically qualify as the host country. As planning continues for the event, we will notify our partners on any opportunities to be involved.

Upcoming Events

Event	Start Date	End Date	Location	Sport	Estimated Room Nights
Sarasota Lanes Spring Bowling Tournaments	March 15, 2019	April 20, 2019	Sarasota Lanes	Bowling	1200
Mendota Rowing Club Juniors	March 22, 2019	March 30, 2019	Nathan Benderson Park	Rowing	48
NFA 7v7 Southeast Regional	March 23, 2019	March 24, 2019	IMG Academy	7v7 Football	160
Champions Spring Break Camp	March 29, 2019	April 6, 2019	Sarasota Babe Ruth Complex	Baseball	210
Holland Christian High School	March 30, 2019	April 6, 2019	Twin Lakes Park	Baseball	77
The Bradenton Cup	April 5, 2019	April 7, 2019	Lakewood Ranch High School	Soccer	1200
Florida State Soccer Association State Cup	April 5, 2019	April 7, 2019	Premier Sports Campus	Soccer	70
643 Travel Ball Tournaments	April 12, 2019	June 2, 2019	Cal Ripken, Babe Ruth, 17th Street, Miss Sarasota	Baseball	1000
FSRA Sculling	April 13, 2019	April 14, 2019	Nathan Benderson Park	Rowing	400

February 2019 Sports Team News

VSC Meets the Fans

Spring Training is here, and for the first time, Sarasota County will host two Major League ballclubs in March! Before spring ball, the Visitor Information Vehicle (VIV) crossed state lines for the first time ever to meet thousands of Braves fans at “Chopfest” in Atlanta.

Just days later, more VSC staff joined our President Virginia Haley greeting thousands more baseball fans in Baltimore for their annual “Fanfest.” Visitor guides and destination information was distributed to fans at both events, before many of them pack their bags for Grapefruit League baseball in March. Thank you partners like La Quinta Sarasota, Sleep Inn/Mainstay Suites Sarasota and SRQ Airport for joining us on these trips!

 

VSC visits Atlanta Braves Chopfest!

 

VSC visits Baltimore Orioles Fanfest!

February-March Events

Web.com Golf Tournament	February 14, 2019	February 17, 2019	Lakewood National Golf Club	Golf	500
Snowbird Baseball Classic	February 15, 2019	March 24, 2019	North Port High School	Baseball	3071
Sarasota Invitational Regatta	February 22, 2019	February 24, 2019	Nathan Benderson Park	Rowing	384
IMG College Showcase	March 1, 2019	March 3, 2019	IMG Academy	Soccer	2850
Spring Fling Lacrosse	March 9, 2019	March 22, 2019	Wellfield Complex	Lacrosse	1260

January 2019 Sports Team News

December was another busy month for sports in Sarasota County. Get involved by checking out our new Sports Incentive Program.

Sarah Thomas attended the “American Baseball Coaches Association Conference” in Dallas TX. Along with the Atlanta Braves, Hotel Venezia and Buffalo Lodging hotel properties were able to participate and spread the word about Sarasota County baseball opportunities. The group met with over 7,000 attendees and fellow exhibitors, which included coaches and tournament organizers. We look forward to attending the show again next year!

Event	Start Date	End Date	Venue	Sport
Venice Equestrian Tour	January 15, 2019	March 2, 2019	Fox Lea Farms	Equestrian
2019 MLS Training Camp Montreal Impact Soccer	January 21, 2019	January 29, 2019	Nathan Benderson Park/Premier	Soccer
643 Travel Ball Tournaments	January 25, 2019	March 10, 2019	Cal Ripken	Baseball
Englewood Pickleball Series- Chill Blast	February 1, 2019	February 3, 2019	Englewood Sports Complex	Pickelball
Florida Youth Soccer Association Region C Commissioners Cup	February 2, 2019	February 10, 2019	Premier	Soccer
Umpire Placement Course	February 2, 2019	February 12, 2019	Ed Smith Stadium	Baseball
Web.com Golf Tournament	February 14, 2019	February 17, 2019	Lakewood National Golf Club	Golf
Snowbird Baseball Classic	February 15, 2019	March 24, 2019	North Port High School	Baseball
Sarasota Invitational Regatta	February 22, 2019	February 24, 2019	Nathan Benderson Park	Rowing

December Sports Team News

Sports Incentive Program

This year, we will be offering a new sports incentive to assist in recruiting teams to train in Sarasota County. Incentive funds will be based on total room nights and will go directly to the team to help offset the cost of facility rentals. The program policies are posted on the extranet, feel free to contact Shelby Connett at [email protected] with any questions.

Welcome Baseball and Softball Leaders

The sports team hosted USA Baseball and the World Baseball Softball Confederation for a site visit the first week in December. We are constantly working to bring new groups and events to Sarasota County and will keep you updated as potential events turn definite!

Florida Sports Foundation

Sarasota County hosted the Florida Sports Foundation Board of Directors meeting Dec. 13, bringing sports leaders from all over the state to our destination.

Upcoming Events:

Event	Start Date	End Date	Venue	Sport	Projected Rooms
Englewood Pickleball Series- Battle of the Paddle	January 4, 2019	January 6, 2019	Englewood Sports Complex	Pickelball	100
UA SF Winter Classic National Showcase	January 12, 2019	January 13, 2019	Miss Sarasota Softball	Softball	370
643 Travel Ball Tournaments	January 25, 2019	March 10, 2019	Cal Ripken	Baseball	600
Venice Equestrian Tour	Mid January 2019	Early March 2019	Fox Lea Farms	Equestrian	7,400

SPORTS UPDATE: November

We are excited to announce that the World Flying Disc Federation has selected Sarasota County to host the 2019 Pan American Ultimate Championships! The Championships will take place from November 3-8 at the Sarasota Polo Club and we expect to welcome over 50 teams from 13 member countries from North and South America.

Busy Month

October was filled with a record number of major sports events. Sarasota County played host to the International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Cup, the USA BMX Sunshine State Nationals, the F-18 Sailing Championships, and the World Sailing Conference and eSailing Championships.

The United Soccer League is busy preparing for the Super Y League Finals that take place at IMG Academy each year. In their preparations, they have asked if there are industry partners with coupons, deals or discounts they can pass on to their attendees, encouraging them to visit your businesses! If you have anything you would like to share, please send the information to Sarah Thomas at [email protected]. 

Event	Start Date	End Date	Location	Sport	Estimated Room Nights
8th Annual Wreaking Havoc	November 17, 2018	November 18, 2018	Babe Ruth/ YAC	Baseball	150
Eddie Herr Tennis Championship	November 21, 2018	December 2, 2018	IMG Academy	Tennis	2000
Game Day USA	November 23, 2018	November 25, 2018	Orioles Complex and Miss Sarasota Softball	Baseball and Softball	800
US Soccer Boys Winter Showcase	November 29, 2018	December 3, 2018	Premier Sports Campus	Soccer	4000
USSSA Annual Toys for Tots	December 1, 2018	December 2, 2018	Babe Ruth/ YAC	Baseball	100
US Soccer Girls Winter Showcase	December 5, 2018	December 9, 2018	Premier Sports Campus	Soccer	5000
USL Super Y Finals	December 7, 2018	December 11, 2018	IMG Academy	Soccer	5000
USSSA Tournament of Champions	December 15, 2018	December 16, 2018	Babe Ruth/ YAC	Baseball	200

SPORTS UPDATE: October

This year, we will be offering a new sports incentive to assist in recruiting teams to train in Sarasota County. Incentive funds will be based on total room nights and will go directly to the team to help offset the cost of facility rentals. Click here  (Hyperlink to extranet?) for more information and contact Shelby Connett ([email protected]) with any questions. 

Sarah Thomas traveled to Louisville, Ky. for the Travel, Events and Management in Sports (TEAMS) Conference October 1-5. She met with 40 event rights holders, andrights holders and networked with multiple national governing bodies during the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) SportsLink programming.  

Upcoming Fall Events: 
 

• Ultimate Sunset Tournament | November 3, 2018 | November 4, 2018 | Premier Sports Campus | Ultimate
• Englewood Pickleball Series- Pink Paddle | November 6, 2018 | November 7, 2018 | Englewood Sports Complex | Pickelball
• USSSA Out Hit Hunger | November 11, 2018 | November 4, 2018 | Babe Ruth/ YAC | Baseball

*The master public list which includes events listed above can be found in the partner extranet.

SPORTS UPDATE: September

Sarah Thomas traveled to the USRowing Masters National Championships, August 16th-19th in Oakland, CA. She promoted registration for the FISA Masters Rowing Championships to the United States masters community. Visit Sarasota County was also featured in an interview during their live streaming coverage! (image attached)

Sarah Thomas traveled to CONNECT Sports Marketplace, August 23rd-26th in Salt Lake City Utah. She met with over 30 events rights holders and discussed the possibility of a number of new events for Sarasota County.

The World Rowing Masters Championship is taking place at Nathan Benderson Park, September 26th- 30th. There are still volunteer opportunities available! If you are interested in signing up follow the link here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f054daca928a2f49-20184

Upcoming Sporting Events:

See this PDF

SPORTS UPDATE: August

Shelby Connett attended the FISA U23 Championships in Poznan, Poland in preparation for the 2019 U23 Championships that will be hosted at Nathan Benderson Park. The Visit Sarasota County URL was proudly displayed on Team USA boats.

Shelby Connett attended the Euro Masters in Munich, Germany to continue promoting the 2018 Masters Rowing Championships.

Sarah Thomas will be attending CONNECT Sports Marketplace, August 23rd-26th in Salt Lake City, Utah.  

Upcoming Events: 

FSSA 7v7 Final Four Tournament	August 17, 2018	August 19, 2018	Premier Sports Campus	Soccer
Florida Burn College Instructional Camp	August 18, 2018	August 19, 2018	Orioles Complex	Baseball
6-4-3 Travel Ball Tournaments	August 25, 2018	September 17, 2018	Cal Ripken Baseball	Baseball
Chargers Labor Day Showcase	August 31, 2018	September 3, 2018	Premier Sports Campus	Soccer
71st Annual Labor Day Regatta	September 2, 2018	September 3, 2018	Sarasota Sailing Squadron	Sailing
USSSA 5th Annual Gold Glove Tournament	September 7, 2018	September 9, 2018	Youth Athletic Complex	Baseball
Life's a Beach Triathlon Sarasota	September 8, 2018	September 9, 2018	Lido Beach Resort	Triathlon
Battle of the Bridges	September 14, 2018	September 15, 2018	Intercoastal	Rowing
Joe Skinner Fall Championship Powered by PBr	September 14, 2018	September 16, 2018	Orioles Complex	Baseball
Florida State Premier League Showcase	September 16, 2018	September 17, 2018	Premier Sports Campus	Soccer
Four Seasons Fall Quarter Horse	September 16, 2018	September 18, 2018	Fox Lea Farms	Equestrian