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Baseball fever has gripped the Sarasota area for years, beginning around 1923 and continu- ing through the Red Sox era — which started in 1933 and went on for 25 years — and the current affiliation with the Baltimore Orioles, a Historical Society of Sarasota County news release points out. Baseball has helped to shape Sarasota's iden- tity as a Spring training tourist destination, the release continues, and it "has had a signif- icant impact" on growth, politics, real estate and the culture of both the city and county. Come and learn how and why Sarasota became linked with professional baseball when three baseball experts gather for a Conversation at The Crocker program on Tuesday, March 11, at 7 p.m. at the Crocker Memorial Church, the release adds. The church is located at 1260 12th St. in Sarasota's Pioneer Park. The title of the program will be Batter Up, featuring jour- nalist and baseball fan Charlie Huisking; Sarasota Herald-Tribune sports writer Doug Fernandes; and author and baseball historian Ray Sinibaldi, the release says. This event is free to Historical Society members and $10 for guests. "Everyone is encouraged to wear a baseball-theme shirt or team logo cap," the release adds. "Bring your own memories of baseball in Sarasota and share photos. There will be baseball snacks for all," it notes. Proceeds from the Conversations help to maintain the Bidwell-Wood House (1882, Sarasota's oldest private residence) and the Crocker Memorial Church (1901), the release points out. For additional information, contact Linda Garcia, site manager, at 364-9076 or visit the website at HSOSC.com. PROGRAM TO FOCUS ON SARASOTA AS A BASEBALL TOWN The latest Major League Baseball team to call Sarasota Home is the Baltimore Orioles. Photo by Norman Schimmel Sarasota News Leader March 7, 2014 Page 92