sfoggi posted on October 11, 2011 09:02
The storybook 2011 season for the Sanford River Rats has come to a close, but on October 10, 2011, the team received one of the highest honors the Mayor of Sanford can present. The 2011 League Champion River Rats were honored by Sanford Mayor Jeff Triplett as he issued a proclamation and declared October 10, 2011 as “Sanford River Rats Day” and presented the team with a key to the city. In attendance to receive the award was League President Rob Sitz, Vice-President Stefano Foggi, Rats GM John Welton and Rats Head Coach Stephen Piercefield.
In a presentation that Triplett said was “close to his heart”, the Mayor recognized the team for their accomplishments on and off the field. Mayor Triplett, who is a regular at Historic Sanford Memorial Stadium for Rats games, shared personal experiences as his family has volunteered to host an out of town player for four straight seasons. He mentioned that to this day he maintains contact with those players and explained how his kids have benefited from having a role model in their home each summer.
Mayor Triplett read the following Proclamation:
WHEREAS, the Sanford River Rats Baseball Team performed with precision against strong competition during the 2011 Florida Collegiate Summer League in taking the Championship for the season; and
WHEREAS, the Sanford River Rats fell into last place after a loss to the Winter Haven Loggerheads before fighting their way to the top; in just 72 hours, the Rats went from being one strike away from the end of their season to League Champions; and
WHEREAS, the Sanford River Rats defeated the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs by a score of 7-5 at Tropicana Field on Sunday August 7 , 2011; and
WHEREAS, these fine athletes put tremendous effort into the development of their offensive and defensive skills and their precision and coordination as a team; and
WHEREAS, by their performance the players and coaches have brought recognition to the City of Sanford and the Florida Collegiate Summer League for not only their athletic abilities, but their exceptional team play, dedication, and most important their sportsmanship; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Collegiate Summer League was founded in November 2003 by Mike and Sara Whiting who saw a need for quality wood bat baseball in Florida; The Florida Collegiate Summer League which is partially funded by Major League Baseball has been named one of the top leagues in the country by Baseball America with four players currently playing in Major League Baseball; and
WHEREAS, the support and coordination from the Head Coach Stephen Piercefield, Florida Collegiate Summer League Staff, Founders Mike and Sara Whiting and fans made a huge contribution to the success of this 2011 season.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JEFF TRIPLETT, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Mayor of the City of Sanford, Florida, do hereby officially proclaim October 10, 2011 as “Sanford River Rats’ Day” in the City of Sanford, and further extend our appreciation to all the players, coaches, volunteers, parents, and fans for the dedication and support to the Florida Collegiate Summer League and Sanford River Rats for a successful season.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the City of Sanford, Florida to be affixed this 10th day of October in the year of the Lord two thousand and eleven.
Signed Jeff Triplett.
The Florida League and Sanford River Rats would like to thank Mayor Triplett for all of his support. We would also like to thank Mike Kirby, Lisa Jones, the Sanford Recreation Department, the River Rats Board, the countless volunteers, all of the businesses who have sponsored the team, and especially the fans. The Sanford River Rats would not function without the generous support of all these people.
The Florida Collegiate Summer League (Florida League) is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that operates six teams in Central Florida. Founded in November, 2003, the Florida League provides a place in the Sunshine State for top college players to play pure wood bat baseball against top-level competition in a festive community atmosphere. The Florida League is one of ten leagues supported and partially funded by Major League Baseball and is one of ten leagues affiliated with the NACSB - an alliance of college summer wooden bat leagues that follow NCAA rules. The Florida League has been named one of the top leagues in the country by Baseball America.