Canton, NY – The Puerto Rico Department of Tourism recently announced it will pledge $40,000 to the Clemente Cup, an NCAA Division III baseball tournament that will take place in Puerto Rico during Mach of 2016.

Tournament directors also announced that due to growing interest, the tournament has expanded to include two additional weeks. Schools can now choose to attend during the weeks of March 5, 12 or 19. The SUNY Canton baseball team along with about a dozen other NCAA D3 teams have already committed to play in the tournament.

"We've had such a great response that we've decided to expand for teams whose spring breaks are later in the month," said SUNY Canton Head Baseball Coach Joe Carbone. "Those weeks are beginning to fill up nicely as well."

The backing of the tournament from the Meet Puerto Rico initiative will allow a much more affordable experience for NCAA Division III teams. The tournament will feature game fees of just $125, a $50 savings from other comparable spring break options. Hotels will range in price from $65 to $90 per night depending on room sizes. Practice times will be free of charge and transportation will be arranged to and from the hotel for games. Meanwhile, student-athletes will have the opportunity to a culturally diverse experience while playing their games in professional minor league ballparks.

Arcadia University and Oneonta State are two teams that are highly anticipating the experience of their participation in the tournament in March 2016. "We are excited to expose the student-athletes in our program to a beautiful island and different culture, while having the opportunity to compete against a group of talented D3 teams," Arcadia Head Baseball Coach Ken Spangenberg said.

"SUNY Oneonta is choosing Puerto Rico in 2016 for our spring break trip because of the incredible experience we believe it will offer our baseball players," SUNY Oneonta Head Coach Ben Grimm said. "The opportunity for our players to compete against quality programs, while also being immersed in a different culture, combined with the involvement of the Roberto Clemente Foundation, made the decision to go to Puerto Rico for our spring trip an easy one."

Luis Clemente, the son of legendary Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente, is taking the leadership role for the 2016 tournament. Mr. Clemente has hired the same sculptor that fashioned the Roberto Clemente Award, and the Clemente Statue at the Pittsburgh Pirates' PNC Park, to create the tournament's Clemente Cup.

The tournament will be dedicated to Roberto Clemente's widow, Vera Clemente, in honor of her more than forty years of service to the Clemente Foundation. SUNY Canton's baseball roster currently features three players from Puerto Rico, including Bobby Clemente, the grandson of the Pittsburgh Pirates legend.

"Through Coach (Victor) Rivera's hard work in his native country, we have been able to arrange for a fantastic week of competition," Carbone said. "The wonderful people of Puerto Rico are incredibly welcoming. They are very much looking forward to hosting our NCAA teams to play a round robin tournament format of games. We expect the games to be well attended, well organized, and highly competitive."

The ideal climate of Puerto Rico has helped to cultivate some of the most notable baseball players of the past 60 years. The best baseball weather in the world provides coaches with recruiting opportunities, while allowing teams to also be a part of an historic tournament. The tournament will be hosted in the several cities, which feature numerous world-class baseball fields, magnificent tourist attractions, and cultural opportunities.

"The Roberto Clemente Family and the Roberto Clemente Foundation are looking forward to welcoming coaches, players and fans to the island of Puerto Rico," said Luis R. Clemente. "We are committed in providing a rich and enlightening cultural and baseball experience."

Currently, the committed teams will play in nine scheduled games for the tournament. Additional games can be added as the teams' desire. Any teams with JV squads will be able to partake in the JV level games that are going to be scheduled as well. There will be no requirement for a deposit and the deadline for teams to make a decision to be included in the Clemente Cup is July 30, 2015. Interested teams are encouraged to contact SUNY Canton Head Baseball Coach Joe Carbone at carbonec@canton.edu or (315) 386-7875.