Baseball: Hoos will open 2025 season at Puerto Rico Challenge

Posted on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, 7:00 am

Follow Jerry Ratcliffe on Twitter

Advertising inquiries: Connect with us

Email Jerry Ratcliffe: jratcliffe7000@gmail.com

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

Photo: UVA Athletics

For the first time in program history, the Virginia baseball team will play regular season games outside the continental United States when it opens its 2025 season at the inaugural Puerto Rico Challenge on opening weekend (February 13-16).

UVA is one of eight teams committed to the event – UConn, Michigan, Missouri, Penn State, Rice, Stetson and Villanova. Games will take place in the cities of Ponce at Francisco “Paquito” Montaner Stadium while contests in Mayagüez will be played at Isidoro García Stadium. Game dates, times opponents and coverage information will be announced at a later date.

Each of the collegiate teams’ student-athletes and coaches involved in the event will also participate in free baseball clinics offered to the island’s grammar school-aged children.

The Puerto Rico Challenge is owned and operated by JoGi Sports and MB Sports, sports marketing partners specialized in producing premium sporting events. Special advisors to the event include MLB veterans Eduardo Perez, Edwin Rodriguez and Lou Melendez.

Perez will lead a group of former collegiate players in Q&A sessions with area youth, discussing 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 introduce local students, parents, and families to a number of schools across the United States.

For more information on the Puerto Rico Challenge, please visit www.prbaseballchallenge.com.