SPORTS DEPARTMENT MAY 2009 Prepared by: Kevin Smith Director of Sports Travel Black Coaches & Administrators National Convention May 2009 Attended: Kevin Smith Sports Events Highlights Florida Challenger Little League Jamboree – May 2-3, 2009 The Sports Commission worked directly with the City of Clearwater’s Therapeutic Recreation Division to host the Florida Challenger Little League Jamboree May 2-3 at Countryside Sports Complex in Clearwater. The Florida Challenger Little League is designed for kids with special needs, giving them the opportunity to play baseball in an atmosphere that encourages a “can-do” attitude and promotes self-confidence. The event brought in a combined 1,300 players and spectators from across the state of Florida, with 900 of them spending 2 nights in Clearwater, producing 763 room nights for hotels in the Clearwater area. This was the first time this prestigious event has been held in Pinellas County and, based on the great success of the 2009 event, our client expects to host it again next year and plans to open it up to Georgia athletes as well. Florida Half Century Softball – May 1-3, 2009 Florida Half Century Softball, the premier senior softball organization in Florida, hosted its annual May tournament at Eddie C. Moore Softball Complex in Clearwater May 1-3. More than 65 teams from across the state participated in this 3 day event, resulting in 870 room nights. BIG EAST Baseball Championships – May 18-24, 2009 The BIG EAST Baseball Championships returned to Clearwater’s Bright House Field for the third time in 4 years May 18-24. Eight teams battled for the conference championship through six rain-soaked days of play. The University of Louisville was crowned conference champion for the second year in a row, earning them the BIG EAST’s automatic berth to the NCAA College World Series. 1 of 2 The event generated national attention when USF and UConn players held a dance off during an extended rain delay in their May 21st game. Bright House Field crews captured the entertaining display and posted it to YouTube immediately. As of June 16th, the video has been viewed over 800,000 times on the internet. It was even played on the May 26th broadcast of ESPN’s Pardon The Interruption. The St. Petersburg/Clearwater Sports Commission was proud to partner with The Clearwater Threshers, Philadelphia Phillies and City of Clearwater to host this great event. In total, the BIG EAST Baseball Championship produced 3,080 room nights for the destination. Room Nights Total Room Organization Dates Nights Florida Challenger LL Baseball May 2-3, 2009 763 Florida Half Century Softball May 1-3, 2009 870 Cinco De Mayo Thunder Water Polo May 1-4, 2009 264 AAU 11u & 12u State Baseball Tourn. May 8-11, 2009 486 AAU Girls’ Basketball Tournament May 15-18, 2009 762 BIG EAST Baseball Championships May 18-24, 2009 3,080 NSA Bomber Tourn. (cancelled – rain) May 22, 2009 324 ASA National Fastpitch Qualifier May 29-31, 2009 875 TOTAL 7,424 Total Room Nights YTD: 57,035 2 of 2 .