The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel to host teams in World Baseball Classic Championship

02/2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACTS: Nancy Hamilton, Lee Rose, Katie Meckley (239) 338-3500

LEE COUNTY, FL – The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel in southwest Florida will host the 2009 World Baseball Classic Inc. (WBCI) Puerto Rican and Dutch teams in Fort Myers to play games against the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins in March.

Visitors are invited to join the Hispanic American Business Alliance (HABA), The Dominican Republic and the Puerto Rico delegations at World Classic game on March 3 with game time at 1:05 p.m. when Puerto Rico plays the Minnesota Twins at the Lee County Sports Complex. Special guest that day will be HABA Puerto Rico President Raul Santiago, who will throw out the first pitch. The Twins will also play the team from The Netherlands on March 5 at 2:05 p.m.

Then, on March 5 at 12:05 p.m., Puerto Rico will play the Boston Red Sox at the City of Palms stadium in downtown Fort Myers. This will be followed by a kick-off celebration from 5-8 p.m. at the Lee County Administration Building with special guests Lee County Commissioner Ray Judah; Mayor Jose E. Sued, Santiago Dominican Republic; Attorney Raul Santiago; and Leonardo Garcia, president/CEO & founder, HABA/USA.

The Puerto Rican team will arrive March 2. Prior to the games, workouts will be held at 4301 Edison, Fort Myers and are open to the public. For Twins tickets, call, 800-33-TWINS and for the Red Sox, call 239-334-4700 or 877-RED-SOXX. These games are part of the WBCI tournament being held in March in five different countries and include 16 participating national teams and 480 of the world’s best baseball players.

For more information about the HABA and these activities, please contact Garcia at 239-560-2035 or e-mail him at LGarcia13@juno.com .

Special accommodations rates are available during spring training as you schedule your trip to Florida’s unspoiled island sanctuary, visit www.FortMyersSanibel.com and click on “Baseball and the Beach” on the home page.

Fort Myers
Comfort Inn & Suites Airport
239-939-5002
Spring Training package for $129. Rate includes accommodations with two queens or one king bed, deluxe hot continental breakfast, gift upon arrival, welcome letter with fun trivia baseball facts and a bag of peanuts for game day! Directions will be provided to City of Palms, home of the Boston Red Sox spring training, and Hammond Stadium, home of Minnesota Twins spring training and the Fort Myers Miracle. Hotel includes an indoor pool and spa, free airport shuttle, wireless Internet, guest laundry, free weekday USA Today newspaper and in-room microwaves and refrigerators. Visit www.choicehotels.com.

La Quinta Inn & Suites Fort Myers Airport
239-466-0012
Spring Training package for $129. Rate includes accommodations with two queens or one king bed, deluxe hot continental breakfast, gift upon arrival, welcome letter with fun trivia baseball facts and a bag of peanuts for game day! Directions will be provided to City of Palms, home of the Boston Red Sox spring training, and Hammond Stadium, home of Minnesota Twins spring training and the Fort Myers Miracle. Hotel includes an indoor pool and spa, free airport shuttle, wireless Internet, guest laundry, free weekday USA Today newspaper and in-room microwaves and refrigerators. Visit www.lq.com.

Fort Myers Beach
Abaco Beach Villas
239-463-2611
Spring training, beach and boating package: Save $1,000 when booking seven nights. Includes: seven nights in a beachfront/two-bedroom/two-bath villa (up to six people); a half day boat charter or two free tickets to Key West; and a special spring training welcome gift. Total package price is $2,175. Visit www.fortmyersbeachvillas.com.

San Carlos RV Park & Islands
239-466-3133
Red Sox spring training special: Seven nights in a one-bedroom unit directly on the waterfront, discount coupons for restaurants, deep sea fishing (within walking distance), and miniature golf, along with two tickets for spring training. The rate is $595 per person, based on double occupancy. Visit www.sancarlosrv.com.

Minnesota Twins spring training special: Seven nights in a one-bedroom unit directly on
the waterfront, discount coupons for restaurants, deep sea fishing (within walking distance), and miniature golf, along with two tickets for spring training. The rate is $595 per person, based on double occupancy. Visit www.sancarlosrv.com.

Pine Island
Inn On The Bay
239-283-7510
Feb. 1 through April 1: With a three-night stay, guests will receive a $20 voucher to be used at choice of Boston Red Sox or Minnesota Twins spring training games, restaurant, attraction or gas station. Rate is $529 based on double occupancy. Visit www.webbwiz.com/inn.

Captiva Island
'Tween Waters Inn Beach Resort
239-472-5161
A deal that is “out of the park!”
‘Tween Waters Inn Island Resort has a deal for those looking to catch a fly ball and some rays. With every Three-Night Delight Value or Five-Night Celebrate Package booked, receive a free $106 resort gift card in honor of the Red Sox's 106th season. To sweeten the deal, 'Tween
Waters is also offering 30 percent off regular three- and five-night resort stays. Make sure to mention the code "Red Sox Nation" when making reservations. Visit www.tween-waters.com/redsox.

Sanibel Island
Sanibel Arms West
239-472-1138
"Baseball, Beach and Bikes Package." Stay during Spring Training 2009 and receive: two tickets to a Minnesota Twins or Red Sox baseball game, use of two adult bikes during stay and two Sanibel Arms West coolie cups to keep beverages cold at the games! Package is available for weekly rentals only (seven nights) in a two-bedroom/ two-bath/Gulf side, condo (maximum of six adults per condo) for $2,150 plus tax. Visit www.sanibelarmswest.com.

For schedules, additional packages and special rates during spring training visit:

Boston Red Sox Spring Training
Feb. 25-March 31, 2009.
City of Palms Park, Fort Myers
For tickets and package information go to www.redsox.com or call
239-334-4700 or 877-RED-SOXX.

Minnesota Twins Spring Training
Feb. 25-April 4, 2009
Hammond Stadium, Fort Myers
Call 800-33-TWINS or go to www.twinsbaseball.com for schedule and ticket information.

For more information about this unspoiled island sanctuary, please access www.FortMyersSanibel.com .

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