St. Petersburg Mayor to Throw Out the First Pitch Monday for International Baseball Season

ST. PETERSBURG - Mayor Bill Foster will throw out the first pitch on Monday, Feb. 21, at noon, for the debut of the International Baseball Series at Al Lang Stadium.

The South Korean Nexen Heroes play against Penn State for the inaugural game. (See schedule below.)

City officials are lauding the 13-game series as the start of a "new tradition in a city that is the birthplace of spring training" in Florida.

Foster has said he wants to make St. Pete a year-round sports town, utilizing the waterfront stadium. "This season, we will welcome South Korea, Canada and the Netherlands to our city for the first season of International Baseball, and next season, we look forward to seeing this tradition grow in St. Pete," he said in a prepated statement.

Members of the St. Petersburg Sports Alliance worked with the city in recruiting teams from the around the world, including the Nexen Heroes from Seoul, South Korea; Baseball Canada's Junior National Team; and the Dutch National Team from the Netherlands. From Feb. 21 to March 13, the three teams will play a 13-game season, pitted against each other, the Rays, the Phillies, Blue Jays and a few college teams.

Approximately 1,000 season ticket packages have been sold at a discounted rate of $75 for all 13 games; individual game tickets (starting at $6) are also for sale at www.StPeteInternationalBaseball.com or at the Al Lang Stadium Box Office, 230 First St. S., 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

Themed Games

Organizers have planned several theme games, including a College Night on Tuesday, March 1 at 7 p.m.; a Downtown and Chamber Night on Thursday, March 3 at 7 p.m.; Canada Day on Friday, March 4 at 1 p.m. when Team Canada plays the Toronto Blue Jays; Youth Sports Night on Saturday, March 5 at 7 p.m.; Rays Day on Wednesday, March 9 at 1 p.m. when the Rays play Team Netherlands; and a Military Night on Friday, March 11 at 7 p.m.

Parking and Transportation Information

The best choice for parking is the BayWalk garage, located on Second St. between First and Second Avenues N., a seven minute walk from Al Lang Stadium. Monday's rate is $5. Other parking choices include Progress Energy Center for the Arts/Mahaffey Theater, entering from First St. S ($5). Fans may also park in The Pier lots, a 12-minute walk and $3 per car.

The Dolphin Lot has 17 disabled parking spaces, and fans can ride the St. Petersburg Trolley for just a quarter to the Al Lang (Hilton) stop. The St. Petersburg Trolley operates Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is very limited parking available at Al Lang and the South Core Parking Garages; if needed, each lot will cost $5.

Motorists should note that due to construction of the Grand Prix race circuit, Bayshore Drive is closed east of Al Lang Stadium from First Ave. S. to First St. (around the bayshore in front of the Dali Museum, with access provided to Dali parking).

Schedule