Saladino Tournament 2016 Finals: What To Know Before You Go

For most Hillsborough County students, spring break is a time for rest and relaxation. For baseball fans, spring break means one thing: the Saladino Tournament.

In its 36th year, the Saladino Tournament brings together 28 of Hillsborough County’s high school baseball teams to crown a champion. This year’s tournament, which began March 12 with round-robin play at Brandon High School, Sickles High School, Jefferson High School, and the University of Tampa, will start its quarterfinal round March 16.

Hours and Location

The championship rounds of the Saladino Tournament will take place at Brandon High School, 1101 Victoria St., Brandon. Quarterfinal match-ups take place March 16 starting at 10 a.m. Semifinal action begins at 4 p.m. March 17 and the championship game is scheduled for March 18 at 7 p.m.

Ticket and Souvenir Prices

• Adults and children ages 6 and older, $5 per person per game
• Children younger than 6 and military personnel in uniform or with proper ID, free.
• Only Saladino Tournament Passes will be accepted.
• Souvenir Tournament Program, $3.

All proceeds go to the Saladino Tournament’s Hillsborough Education Foundation.

Quarterfinal Match-ups

Barring weather delays, all quarterfinal games are scheduled to take place March 16.

• 10 a.m.: Alonso High School (Pool A winner) vs. Robinson High School (Wild Card winner)
• 1 p.m.: Freedom High School (Pool E winner) vs. Plant High School (Pool D winner)
• 4 p.m.: Riverview High School (Pool G winner) vs. Strawberry Crest High School (Pool B winner)
• 7 p.m.: Brandon High School vs. Steinbrenner High school (Pool C winner)

Remaining Schedule

Semifinals are scheduled for March 17:

• 4 p.m.: Quarterfinal 1 Winner vs. Quarterfinal 2 Winner
• 7 p.m.: Quarterfinal 3 Winner vs. Quarterfinal 4 Winner

The winners of the semifinal matchups will meet in the championship game at 7 p.m. on March 18.

Remembering Bertha

The Hillsborough baseball community is still reeling from the death of tournament co-founder Bertha Saladino. Saladino, 84, envisioned the high school baseball tournament as a way to honor the father of her husband, Tony Saladino. While the show must go on, it’s not without a few tears and plenty of reminders of the effervescent Saladino, who never met a person she wouldn’t hug. Bertha’s Kitchen – as her tent was called – fed the masses with her delicious Cuban fare and chicken patty sandwiches. The family have asked those who wish to honor Bertha Saladino to make a donation to the Saladino Tournament through the Hillsborough Education Foundation.

Image via Shutterstock

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