2011 Big East Big Ten Baseball Challenge Kicks Off at Beef O’ Brady’s

Thousands of visitors looking to escape frigid northern and Midwestern cities are expected to flock to St. Petersburg, Clearwater and other Pinellas cities to soak up some rays and support their favorite college baseball teams this weekend.

The Big East/Big Ten Baseball Challenge, now in its third year, kick-starts the 2011 college season with 16 teams from the two conferences playing meaningful games at five different area venues.

“When the teams come down here they have a unique experience that they can get nowhere else,” Kevin Smith, Director of the St. Pete/Clearwater Sports Commission and organizer of the event said.  “They’re playing baseball in pro-style stadiums for the beginning of their year.”

The stadiums are: Jack Russell Stadium and Bright House Field in Clearwater; Al Lang Field and the Walter Fuller Complex in St. Pete; and Florida Auto Exchange Stadium in Dunedin.

Organizers of the event threw a kick-off party at Beef O’ Brady’s on Ulmerton Road in Clearwater on Thursday, and fans of many of the schools packed the restaurant to gobble up wings and beer and show support for their ballclubs.

The Iowa Hawkeyes were well represented with a large contingent of fans.

Steve and Joanna Reno, formerly of the Des Moines area but current Pinellas County residents and Iowa alums, were waiting for relatives to arrive from out of state to join them in rooting on their beloved Hawkeyes this weekend.

“We support Iowa athletics AND academics, 100 percent,” Steve, a former Department of Justice employee, said.

“You know, you can’t go to a baseball game in Iowa right now!” Joanna added.

Not to be outdone, Ohio State Buckeyes supporters were there supporting their school as well.

Jack Long, OSU Class of ’55, was on hand with his wife Charlene, their daughter, Janet Clark, and her family. When asked how long he has been a supporter of Ohio State, Charlene replied for Jack, “Since Woody Hayes was there!”

The turnout for the party was “great” according to Beef O’ Brady’s owner John Volz, who offered special deals in conjunction with vacation packages set up by the Sports Commission. He is expecting business to be brisk throughout the weekend as a result.

“This is the only event of its kind that we know of in college baseball, of this magnitude,” Smith proudly stated. “It’s full scale, ‘go at it’ baseball. (Friday) most people will be starting their aces…this is officially the kick-off of the college baseball season.”

The games begin 10am today and run through 1pm on Sunday. A complete schedule can be seen here.