Snowbird Baseball Classic provides baseball fans with some relief

Reporter: Zach Oliveri Writer: Drew Hill
Published: Updated:
baseball fans at snowbird classic
baseball fans Credit: WINK News

With some spring training games already canceled in Southwest Florida, fans are itching to see some baseball to fill the void. So that’s where the snowbirds come in.

Sunday was the first day of a five-week baseball tournament. And this is one of the largest tournaments in the country.

The Snowbird Classic is helping to bring fans to Southwest Florida while keeping the game of baseball alive in our community. The tournament features teams like Pittsburg, BYU and Ohio State.

It was canceled last year due to the pandemic. But this return to the diamond couldn’t have come at a better time.

Baseball is back in Charlotte County but not Major League Baseball – college baseball. This is the Snowbird Baseball Classic. Dick Fenstermaker lives in Venice. “This is baseball in Florida right now so we’ll enjoy it,” said Fenstermaker said.

For Dick and his wife, Sue, their attendance is understood especially if it involves their beloved Ohio State Buckeyes.

“We don’t get that many chances to see any of the sports teams in person down here,” Dick said.

“I just wish they scored a little more,” said Sue.

Ohio State fans showed up on Sunday afternoon to catch the Buckeyes as they took on Indiana State.

Steve Partington helps with the Snowbird Baseball Classic. “They can play a ping pong game, and Ohio State people are going to come to watch them,” Partington said.

Snowbird Baseball Classic
Snowbird Baseball Classic Credit: WINK News

“We always try to see them,” Sue said.

“It’s more like a true sport,” Dick said. “Once you get past the college level, it becomes a business.”

Baseball fans have seen more of that business side than actual games this year. The MLB lockout has already canceled some spring training games, and so far, there’s no end in sight.

“This year, they could actually have fans, and they’re not going to let it happen. It’s just kind of heartbreaking for people,” said Sue.

Despite the cancellation of the first few spring training games, the Snowbird Baseball Classic is still bringing baseball fans to Southwest Florida.

Partington, who runs the classic, says more teams at the tournament means more money. “We fill up 20-25,000 the whole time we’re playing,” he said. “You get a lot of teams staying all over the area Fort Myers up. It’s a big moneymaker for all of us.”

The Snowbird Baseball Classic runs until Mar. 19 and features dozens of teams over the five weeks. Check here for a full schedule.

Ohio State beat Indiana State 9-8.

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