Baseball / High School Invitational and Spring Training

High School Invitational and Spring Training

Date:  Source: Florida Collegiate Summer League

For the 12th consecutive season, the Florida League is pleased to host the High School Invitational. There will be four weeks of play in 2019:
- March 11-15
- March 18-22
- March 25-29
- April 15-19

Over the past decade, this event has transformed into one of the premier amateur baseball competitions in the entire country. More than 140 schools from seventeen different states have participated, coming from as far north as Wisconsin and as far west as California. The talent level of these teams is extraordinary, with dozens of players being selected in the MLB draft just months after playing in the event. Fifteen of those players have been selected in the first round of the draft, and seven of them ... including Francisco Lindor, Javy Baez and Greg Bird ... are playing in the Big Leagues.

The majority of games are played at Sanford Memorial Stadium, home of the Sanford River Rats and Seminole County Scorpions. During weeks that have more than 16 teams, secondary locations, such as the Boombah Sports Complex, are used as well. Each team that participates is guaranteed to play in four games, with a built in off day so teams can enjoy the beach, theme parks and other attractions around Orlando.

"We are incredibly proud of what the FHSI has turned in to," said Florida League President Stefano Foggi. "To go from one week of eight teams (in 2009) to having more than 60 teams last year is a testament to the positive experience that our teams enjoy. We do everything we can to ensure an unforgettable tournament for every player and coach who steps through the gates at Sanford Memorial."

The High School Invitational is much more than just showing up to a field and playing baseball. The event has a dedicated website, FloridaLeagueTournaments.com, that features a recap of every game played as well as links to live stats so parents and friends who can't make the trip can stay up to date. Each hitter steps up to the plate with walk out music and their named announced over the PA. A full service concession stand offers ballpark favorites throughout the day. And then there is of course the exposure. It is not uncommon to see college recruiters, journalists, and pro scouts post up behind home plate to see the talent on the field. During the 2018 FHSI, more than 40 players were committed to play Division I baseball, and eleven players who played were taken in the MLB draft in June.

In addition to the FHSI, the Florida League also offers a Spring Training program. Last spring was the first year of the event, and saw fourteen teams from seven states participate. The Spring Training program is targeted at schools from the Northeast and Midwest who are looking to play on a field before their season begins in the colder climate, though any team is welcome play. The Spring Training program offers an open-play format, so teams choose their own schedules and how many games they want to play. The majority of games are played at the Boombah Sports Complex in Sanford.

For more information on both events, please visit www.FloridaLeagueTournaments.com