Owls to Open '25 Season in Puerto Rico
1/11/2024 2:41:00 PM | Baseball
Puerto Rico Baseball Challenge
Rice will open the 2025 baseball season in a unique setting as the Owls are one of eight college baseball teams who have been selected to play in the Puerto Rico Challenge, February 13-16, 2025 in Ponce and Mayagüez, Puerto Rico.
The Owls will be joined in the first collegiate baseball event of its kind on the island by UConn, Michigan, Missouri, Penn State, Stetson, Villanova, and Virginia.
Produced by JoGi Sports and MB Sports, the Puerto Rico Challenge will feature games in both cities as well as a day of community service featuring baseball clinics with elementary school-age children. Former collegiate players will speak to local youth to emphasize how baseball can help them get admitted to prestigious universities, which can then yield potential MLB opportunities, as well as set them up for successful careers beyond baseball. A college fair attended by US-based university representatives will be held to introduce local students, parents, and families to schools across the United States. The goal of the event is to underscore to the island's young athletes that attending a US college is a legitimate option.
"Being a part of something historical is always special, but when it is in your home country it makes it truly memorable," said Bixby Family Head Baseball Coach José Cruz Jr. who was born in Arroyo, Puerto Rico. "Creating memorable experiences for our student-athletes is something we value at Rice. Playing in front of a different type of crowd will be something we will always remember. At the same time, I take great pride in the opportunity this allows us to impact so many young kids from Puerto Rice. The fact that we have a chance to impact an entire country makes this Puerto Rico Challenge tournament all the more satisfying."
The Challenge will feature an exhibit showcasing the storied baseball culture of Puerto Rico, including the impressive roster of Puerto Rican players who not only made it to the Major Leagues but were enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Cruz played for the Leones de Ponce in the Puerto Rican Winter League in 2004 and for Puerto Rico in the 2006 World Baseball Classic.
Games will be played at Francisco "Paquito" Montaner Stadium in Ponce and Isidoro García Stadium in Mayagüez. Both stadiums serve as homes to teams in the Puerto Rican Winter League and both will be equipped with TrackMan technology for use by participating teams. Rawlings has been selected as the series' official baseball of the event.
Rice will open preseason practices for the 2024 baseball season on Friday, January 26, and hold its annual Fan Fest two days later (RSVP for the Fan Fest). The 2024 season opens on Friday, February 16 when the Owls open a three-game series with Notre Dame. Rice begins its inaugural season of AAC play with a three-game series against Tulane at Reckling Park on March 22.
Season tickets for the Owls' historic first season in The American are currently on sale.
The Owls will be joined in the first collegiate baseball event of its kind on the island by UConn, Michigan, Missouri, Penn State, Stetson, Villanova, and Virginia.
Produced by JoGi Sports and MB Sports, the Puerto Rico Challenge will feature games in both cities as well as a day of community service featuring baseball clinics with elementary school-age children. Former collegiate players will speak to local youth to emphasize how baseball can help them get admitted to prestigious universities, which can then yield potential MLB opportunities, as well as set them up for successful careers beyond baseball. A college fair attended by US-based university representatives will be held to introduce local students, parents, and families to schools across the United States. The goal of the event is to underscore to the island's young athletes that attending a US college is a legitimate option.
"Being a part of something historical is always special, but when it is in your home country it makes it truly memorable," said Bixby Family Head Baseball Coach José Cruz Jr. who was born in Arroyo, Puerto Rico. "Creating memorable experiences for our student-athletes is something we value at Rice. Playing in front of a different type of crowd will be something we will always remember. At the same time, I take great pride in the opportunity this allows us to impact so many young kids from Puerto Rice. The fact that we have a chance to impact an entire country makes this Puerto Rico Challenge tournament all the more satisfying."
The Challenge will feature an exhibit showcasing the storied baseball culture of Puerto Rico, including the impressive roster of Puerto Rican players who not only made it to the Major Leagues but were enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Cruz played for the Leones de Ponce in the Puerto Rican Winter League in 2004 and for Puerto Rico in the 2006 World Baseball Classic.
Games will be played at Francisco "Paquito" Montaner Stadium in Ponce and Isidoro García Stadium in Mayagüez. Both stadiums serve as homes to teams in the Puerto Rican Winter League and both will be equipped with TrackMan technology for use by participating teams. Rawlings has been selected as the series' official baseball of the event.
Rice will open preseason practices for the 2024 baseball season on Friday, January 26, and hold its annual Fan Fest two days later (RSVP for the Fan Fest). The 2024 season opens on Friday, February 16 when the Owls open a three-game series with Notre Dame. Rice begins its inaugural season of AAC play with a three-game series against Tulane at Reckling Park on March 22.
Season tickets for the Owls' historic first season in The American are currently on sale.
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