May 2009 — Vol. 1, Issue 5 Game On! The Monthly Newsletter of the Palm Beach County Sports Commission In this Issue Sports Commission Co-Sponsors • Sports Commission Co-Spon- NFL Emerging Business Workshop sors NFL Emerging Business Joining forces with the South Florida Super Bowl The workshop explained in detail both certifica- Workshop Host Committee 2010, and the Palm Beach tion and application procedures. Representatives • World Croquet Championships County Office of Small Business Assistance, the from the Super Bowl Host Committee, the NFL being held this month PBCSC co-sponsored the third Emerging Busi- and prime contractors were in attendance, along • Big Shots Palm Beach ness Workshop on April 22, at the Palm Beach with representatives from Palm Beach County • NCCAA National Softball County Convention Center. Over 450 interested certifying agencies, County Commission Chair, parties attended. Jeff Koons, WPB Mayor Lois Frankel and other Championships government represen- • Summer is baseball season in The workshop, part of the tatives. Palm Beach County Super Bowl’s Community • AYSO: Planning for 2010 Outreach program, was de- Palm Beach County signed to assist local Palm is an active partici- • 2008 Groza Winner signs with Beach County businesses, pant in supporting the Ravens especially minority and Super Bowl 2010. women-owned businesses, Countywide activities Sponsors understand and qualify for are being coordinated procurement opportuni- through the Palm ties with the Super Bowl’s Beach County Sports prime contractors. Commission. World Croquet Championships being held this month in PBC What takes the skill of billiards, the strategy of Beach, and is expexted to attract over 80 teams chess, and requires the players to wear all white? from around the world. Preliminary rounds will It’s the international game of croquet; and the be played at the PGA National Resort & Spa Cro- 2009 World Croquet Championships begin this quet Club in Palm Beach Gardens. The event ro- month at the National Croquet Center in Palm tates annually among the major croquet-playing Beach County. countries of the world and was last held in the US in 1992, in Newport, Rhode Island. Played on a 104’x84’ perfectly manicured and level lawn, points The event is supported by a grant are won by shooting the balls from the Palm Beach County Sports through heavy rectangular wickets Commission, and is expected to with a mere 1/32” clearance for the generate over $250,000 in economic ball. impact and generate over 600 room nights for Palm Beach The international event kicks off County hotels. Saturday, May 9th in West Palm 1555 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., Suite 1410 •West Palm Beach, FL 33401 • 561.233.3180 • 561.233.3125 Upcoming Events Big Shots Palm Beach For a complete listing of all upcoming events check our website at Showcasing high school basketball athletes to college coaches www.PalmBeachSports.com. One of 16 Big Shots high school tournaments taking place around the Florida State League country this summer, Big Shots Palm Beach will give area and regional April 9 - September 6, 2009 at Roger Dean Stadium players the opportunity to showcase their team and individual skills to a The Florida State League is a Class A Advanced Minor League Baseball league. variety of NCAA coaches. All Big Shots tournaments are NCAA exposure The twelve member teams play a 140 game schedule with 70 games at home and 70 games on the road. events. This is the first year Big Shots has come to Palm Beach Cup Palm Beach County. The tournament, in- May 2 - 3, 2009 at Mirasol Park volving high school age basketball players, is The Palm Beach Cup is an inaugural boys and girls youth soccer tournament (9 & under to 14 & under). The 56 team tournament is sanctioned by the Florida scheduled for May 15 - 17, 2009, at various Youth Soccer Association (FYSA). locations around Palm Beach County. NCCAA National Softball Championships In addition to the All Star High School Com- May 7 - 9, 2009 at Lake Catherine Sports Complex petition, Big Shots will partner with USSSA The National Softball Championships will be hosted by Palm Beach Atlantic to conduct a youth tournament in the 12 & University. under to 8 & under divisions. Including youth teams, Big Shots will bring in over 80 teams. World Croquet Championships Event organizers estimate that the tourna- May 9 - 17, 2009 at the National Croquet Center ment will generate 1,100 room nights and have an estimated $350,000 in The 12th WCF World Croquet Championships will take place at the National economic impact. Croquet Center and at PGA National Resort & Spa. The World Championships includes the top ranked 80 players in the world. This is only the second time the event has taken place in the USA, and the first time it has been hosted by Palm Beach County or the State of Florida. Palm Beach Atlantic to Host NCCAA Softball Championships Florida All Star Chess Championship After a runner-up finish in last year’s National Christian College Athletic May 15 - 17, 2009 at the Embassey Suites, Palm Beach Gardens Association (NCCAA) Softball Championship, the Palm Beach Atlantic Junior chess players from across the state of Florida will come to Palm Beach University softball team has an obvious goal in 2009—to take home the Gardens to compete in this highly skilled tournament. These are the top youth championship trophy. As host for the second year of the prestigious tour- competitors in Florida. nament, set for May 7–9, 2009 at the Lake Catherine Sports Complex, the Big Shots Palm Beach Sailfish will once again play in front of their home crowd. May 15 - 17, 2009 Matching up the best softball teams throughout the nation, the NCCAA Big Shots Palm Beach is an All Star High School aged basketball tournament that will take place at several basketball facilities in Palm Beach County. National Championship is a chance for the top teams in the country to show what they’re made of as they vie for the championship. Gardens LAX Splash May 22 - 24, 2009 at PGA National Park The opportunity to host this cham- Palm Beach Gardens Youth Athletic Association is hosting “Gardens Lax Splash” pionship is something the Palm - Memorial Day Weekend - May 22nd-24th, 2009. The event is for Boys and Beach Atlantic athletic department Girls grades 3 - 8. Guaranteed four game minimum for all teams!!!! Every player has been looking forward to all year, will receive a ComLax/LAX Splash t-shirt and goody bag. according to Athletic Director Bob White. Lady Gator Elite Invitational May 22 - 24, 2009 at Florida Atlantic University “Our staff is making all the prepara- The Lady Gator Elite Invitational is our premier showcase event that promises tions to ensure that this year’s tour- quality competition on exceptional playing fields with tremendous exposure. nament is another great success. We Sanctioned by the American Softball Association (ASA) the tournament is are thrilled that Pepsi and Akadema expected to bring approximately 20 to 24 elite 18 & U teams to Palm Beach have generously stepped up once County. again to help make this not only a Triple Crown Memorial Day Tournament fun event for our visiting teams but May 22 - May 25, 2009 also a memorable event for all of This tournament will feature 100 baseball teams ages 8-18. The top 2 finishers Palm Beach County,” said White. in their respective division will have earned the right to play in the World Series. 1555 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., Suite 1410 •West Palm Beach, FL 33401 • 561.233.3180 • 561.233.3125 Summer is Baseball Season in Palm Beach County Two hundred sixteen (216) teams involving an estimated 3,660 baseball from June 20-27, 2009, at Roger Dean Stadium and the Santaluces Ath- players will descend on Palm Beach County this summer to participate in letic Complex, is the most prestigious baseball tournament in the nation 7 major baseball tournaments. These players and coaches will occupy an for the 15 & 16 year old age group. estimated 5,300 hotel room nights, and contribute an estimated $2.6 mil- lion to the local economy. Overall, this event is ex- pected to bring 72 teams Baseball has long been recognized as one of the leading core sports of the and 1,200 athletes to Palm Beach County Sports Commission. Palm Beach County, making it one of the larg- Blessed with tropical summer breezes, 47 miles of breathtaking beaches est room night producing and one of the best events of the summer. playing facilities in Last year, the event gen- the nation, Palm erated 4,703 room nights Beach County’s and more than $1.5 mil- Roger Dean Stadium lion in economic impact. is a major draw for tournament activity. To help produce the event, The complex is the the Palm Beach County only baseball facil- Sports Commission en- ity east of the Rocky tered into a three-way Mountains that con- partnership with USA sists of one primary Baseball and Roger Dean baseball diamond Stadium. The Sports and 12 supplemen- Commission is actively tary fields. involved in all aspects of event management rang- The Santaluces Athletic Complex in Lake Worth, also offering excellent ing from working directly playing facilities, supplements Roger Dean Stadium for tournament play. with the venues and ser- vice providers, to managing labor and collection of admissions. The USA Baseball 16 & under Championships, scheduled to take place USA Baseball uses this tournament as an PBC Summer Baseball Tournaments At-A-Glance exclusive selection vehicle for the Youth Event Date # of Room Economic Participants National Team Trials. Approximately 20 Teams Nights Impact players will be chosen from this event and flown to the home of USA Baseball, Triple Crown Baseball Memorial Day May 28-31 40 100 $100,000 600 where they will join another 20 players Tournament - Roger Dean Stadium from the West Championships held in Under Armour South East Regional - June 4-8 24 400 $190,000 480 Arizona.