Ever since the Steve Georgiadis Memorial Tournament — named after a former Seminole baseball player who died in 1990 after complications from shoulder surgery while a sophomore at the University of Florida — started in 1993, it has competed against the longer running Dunedin Spring Tournament.
That’s true again this year, but things are a little different.
Instead of the usual eight-team field there are 10 this season. Because of the larger field the tournament will be played round-robin style with teams earning 10 points for a win as well as points for runs allowed.
After Thursday’s games, teams are reseeded and there will be five games March 28, culminating with the final at 7 p.m.
Northeast, which has hosted a tournament the past few seasons, decided to travel to South Carolina over spring break. That left some local teams who normally play in that tournament out in the cold.
“Largo and Clearwater wanted to play, and I didn’t want to say no to the local teams,’’ Seminole coach Jeff Pincus said. “Ten teams isn’t ideal, but we’ll make it work. Everyone is guaranteed four games, and I think they’ll be some good competition.’’
Of the local teams, St. Petersburg comes in with the most momentum. The Green Devils (9-5) beat Palm Harbor University and Pinellas Park this week. And they are the defending Georgiadis champions.
“We’ve got to come back and defend our title,’’ St. Petersburg coach Travis Phelps said. “We’re starting to come around. We’re playing better baseball. The hits are starting to come and I think we’re gaining some confidence.’’
Jacksonville Arlington Country Day returns to the area for a second time this season. It played in the Lee Byers Invitational at East Lake to start the season. The Apaches were a late replacement for East River.
Pembroke Pines Charter is 9-2 and may be a team to watch. Montevallo (Ala.) is the lone out-of-state team.
Host Seminole (7-8) lost nine seniors from last year’s team, but did beat Tarpon Springs 8-2 prior to the tournament.
Steve Georgiadis Memorial Tournament
Where: Seminole High
Admission: $5 per game; $15 for a tournament pass.
Monday: Clearwater vs. St. Petersburg, 4; Indian Rocks Christian vs. Seminole, 7
Tuesday: Arlington Country Day vs. Largo, 1; Heritage vs. Lincoln Park, 4; Pembroke Pines vs. Montevallo (Ala.), 7
Wednesday: Games, 1, 4 and 7
Thursday: Games, 4 and 7
Friday: Consolation games, 10, 1 and 4; final, 7