Orioles to host Snowbird Classic in Sarasota

As the Baltimore Orioles transition from the off season into Spring Training, the team will be hosting the “Snowbird Classic” this weekend at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, FL. Five Division I college baseball teams will coverge on Ed Smith Stadium to play games from Friday to Sunday. (One of the Sunday games will actually be held at Buck O’Neil Baseball Complex at Twin Lakes Park.) The Orioles are expecting over 6,000 fans to attend this event, which I feel is a great thing for the local Sarasota community given that it gets people into the ballpark and into the area a full week before Grapefruit League play begins.

Courtesy of Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

The five universities involved are: Florida Gulf Coast University, Notre Dame, Ohio State, St. Johns, and Mercer. Again, I feel that this is a great thing for the Orioles to be hosting, however on a selfish note I would call on them to perhaps invite the University of Maryland to participate if this becomes an annual event! With many Orioles fans converging on Sarasota for spring training, it would make a lot of sense. The schedule will be as follows:

Friday

• Fla Gulf Coast vs. St. Johns ~ 2 PM
• Mercer vs. Ohio State ~ 6 PM

Saturday

• St. Johns vs. Mercer ~ 11 AM
• Fla Gulf Coast vs. Notre Dame ~ 2:30 PM
• Notre Dame vs. Ohio State ~ 6 PM

Sunday

• St. Johns vs. Ohio State ~ 10 AM
• Mercer vs. Notre Dame ~ 11 AM (at Buck O’Neil Complex)
• St. Johns vs. Fla Gulf Coast ~ 1 PM

Fans can purchase passes for each day of the event for $10 each by calling 941-893-6300. Tickets may also be purchased at Ed Smith Stadium, where the box office is open Monday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Parking is available for $5 per vehicle in the East lot at Ed Smith Stadium.