Just received an email from Gary D'Ambrisi, the coordinator for the Fall Classic that has been held the past 18 years in the Tampa area. Note the 52 Division will be wood bat. Here is Gary's message:
The MSBL is proud to announce that the 19th Annual Fall Classic tournament in 2009 will be hosted in beautiful Jupiter/Port St. Lucie,Florida. The dates are as follows:
MABL: Thursday November 12 through Monday November 16
MSBL 25+, 35+, 45+ Wood bat divisions: Thursday November 12 through Sunday November 15
MSBL 25+, 35+, 45+ aluminum divisions and 52+ Wood bat division: Monday November 16 through Saturday November 21
We are very excited to announce the tournament's new home location. Our excitement stems in part from the overwhelming welcoming we have received from the Jupiter, West Palm Beach and Port St. Lucie areas.You will discover that these destinations are amongst Florida's best treasures. The areas boast beautiful beaches, a wide variety of lodging options, a vibrant nightlife and an abundance of restaurants. Most of all however, we will be playing ball on some of Florida's most magnificent baseball facilities. The Roger Dean complex in Jupiter will provide us with (12) twelve fields and a magnificent stadium. Roger Dean is the spring training home of the St. Louis Cardinals and the Florida Marlins. In addition, we are excited to use Tradition Field in Port St. Lucie, the spring training home of the New York Mets. Tradition is a beautiful (5) five complex with an incredible stadium. Other facilities will include Ft. Lauderdale Stadium (Baltimore Orioles) and Dodgertown in Vero Beach.
After spending 18 years in Clearwater/St. Pete, the decision to relocate the Fall Classic was difficult. You should know that we had no choice. Behind the scenes for the past year, I and several senior members of the Pinellas County government have made every attempt to regain access to the Engelbert Complex (Toronto Blue Jays) in Dunedin. On March 12, 2009, the County put forth a final comprehensive proposal to the Blue Jays, only for it to be received with a final denial on March 25. The Jays refuse to permit anyone to use their facilities during November to February. This outcome, combined with the Reds leaving Sarasota, the Indians leaving Chain-O-Lakes and the Tampa Bay Rays moving to Port Charlotte necessitated the tournament's move to our new location. I leave behind many friendships and acquaintances forged over the past 18 years, as well as an area I have come to know as a second home. I will always remain grateful for all the support, hospitality and friendship from my many counterparts. Now, I look forward to the excitement of our new adventure which we will travel together.
- New for 2009, we are also announcing the creation of an 18+ Central division. Given the very high competitive level amongst MABL National and American teams, this division is designed to host MABL's more recreational teams.
- The MSBL 52+ division (Monday November 16 through Saturday November 21) will now be an all wood bat division. As a follow up to the 2008 Fall Classic, I had sent out to each 52+ manager a request of their opinion as to whether this division should remain aluminum or become wood bat. The overwhelming majority of you desired wood bat.
Further information will be forthcoming on the many lodging options and will soon be posted on our website(www.msblnational.com) under MSBL TRAVEL. Premier Travel will be our travel partner and they can be reached with any questions or requests at 516-625-6868. We will also make available information on area restaurants and nightlife, directions, etc. with future communications.
Please feel free to contact us at 631-753-6725 or email for any questions. Thank you for your continued support. We are very excited for our next Fall Classic event.
