Ripken Baseball® Returns to Panama City Beach from June 2-7
MORE THAN 40 YOUTH TEAMS CONVERGE ON PUBLIX SPORTS PARK FOR THE 3RD ANNUAL RIPKEN SELECT TOURNAMENT
[PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla.] May 15, 2024 – Ripken Baseball® is set to host the third annual Ripken Select Tournament in Panama City Beach, FL, June 2-7, 2024. As a six-day baseball tournament at Publix Sports Park, more than 40 talented youth baseball teams will participate in a Big-League environment featuring players ages 9u-14u.
After the event debuted in 2022, Ripken Baseball won the Economic Impact Award from Sports Destination Management for their inaugural Ripken Select Tournament in Panama City Beach. The tournament held 50 teams and over 700 participants, bringing in over $2.7 million in economic impact.
This year’s event will start with a Community Clinic on Saturday, June 1st. Youth baseball players of the ages 6 to 14 (co-ed) will be able to take part in this free clinic to improve their skills and gain knowledge from Ripken Baseball Instructors. This event is 9 am – 12 pm, with an 8 am check-in period. Register here for the Community Clinic.
Opening ceremonies will be held on Sunday, June 2nd. Athletes participating in this tournament will be able to showcase their talent during the Opening Day Skills Competitions. Former MLB player Jake Peavy will also appear during Opening Day of the Ripken Select Tournament to speak with youth baseball players, coaches, and families as teams around the country prepare for this exciting tournament. Peavy, an MLB pitcher, played professionally for 15 seasons, showcasing exceptional talent on the mound. He earned numerous accolades during his career, including the NL Cy Young Award in 2007. Peavy will act as the tournament ambassador for Panama City Beach.
The Ripken Select Tournament allows participants to experience a memorable baseball vacation. After the players complete their games each day, they will be able to visit the various attractions in Panama City Beach, FL.
Ripken Baseball selected Publix Sports Park as one of the few locations in the country to host a Ripken Select Tournament, which aim to make every ballplayer feel like a Big Leaguer with professional facilities and experiences. The week will include opening ceremonies, skills competitions, player announcements, and walk-up music to make every at-bat unforgettable. The tournament in Panama City Beach will replicate The Ripken Experience® that over 5,000 teams and 250,000 guests enjoy at Ripken Baseball’s permanent facilities.
The collaboration between Ripken Baseball and Visit Panama City Beach includes the addition of bringing The All-Ripken Futures Games to Publix Sports Park from December 19 to 22. This partnership promises an exciting return of top baseball talent showcasing their skills in a competitive setting. This reunion at a renowned sports venue is sure to draw attention and provide an unforgettable experience for players and spectators alike. Click here to learn more about obtaining an All-Ripken Futures Game invitation.
About Ripken Baseball
Ripken Baseball brings teammates, coaches, and families together through its Big League Experiences while teaching children how to play sports the right way – the Ripken Way. Ripken Baseball continues to innovate the game through tournaments, camps, clinics, and spring training at their state-of-the-art facilities – The Ripken Experience® Aberdeen Powered by Under Armour® (Maryland), The Ripken Experience® Myrtle Beach (South Carolina), The Ripken Experience® Pigeon Forge (Tennessee), The Ripken Experience® Elizabethtown (Kentucky), Sports Force Parks™ at Cedar Point Sports Center (Ohio), and Cooperstown All Star Village (New York). Ripken Baseball also develops and trains athletes through the acquisition of Baseball Factory™ and Softball Factory™. Learn more at ripkenbaseball.com.
About Publix Sports Park
The Publix Sports Complex is the premier destination for travel sports tourism in the Florida panhandle. The facility features 13 rectangular fields including 9 with artificial surfaces and two championship fields with seating for up to 1,500 spectators. The flexible design allows for soccer, lacrosse, rugby, football, and flag football, as well as baseball and softball to be played. The Publix Sports Complex is a member of the SF Network, the Nation’s largest and fastest-growing network of sports facilities, and is operated by the industry leader in outsourced operations, The Sports Facilities Companies (SFC). For more information, visit www.playpanamacitybeach.com.
About Visit Panama City Beach
Visit Panama City Beach is the official destination marketing organization for Panama City Beach, Florida. The award-winning organization has earned industry accreditation (DMAP) from Destinations International, the world’s leading authority in destination marketing, and exists to drive economic opportunity, job creation, community sustainability and quality of life for its residents through marketing, promotion, and stewardship of the destination’s REAL.FUN.BEACH. brand and attributes, tourism development, special event production, and managing beach re-nourishment and maintenance programs.
About Sports Facilities Companies
The Sports Facilities Companies (SFC) are the nation’s leading resources for managing and developing sports, recreation, wellness, and events facilities. As a turn-key solution for community leaders and developers alike, SFC services span the gamut of sports and recreation needs from sports tourism & recreation master planning, program planning, and feasibility through professional facility management services. Our 30+ managed venues and 1500+ team members, represented by the SF Network, welcome more than 25 million guest visits and produce over $250 million in economic impact each year. To learn more, please visit SportsFacilities.com and theSFNetwork.com.
Contact:
Chris O'Brien, Director of Sports, Visit Panama City Beach
cobrien@visitpanamacitybeach.com