sfoggi posted on February 14, 2012 06:42
Florida League All Set to Begin Ninth Season
The Florida Collegiate Summer League will continue to bring exciting college baseball action to the Central Florida area in 2012. The Florida League set a new attendance record by having over 75,000 fans enjoy games at eight different ballparks. After a successful and entertaining season in 2011 that saw twenty-six former players drafted and a very exciting postseason that included a Cinderella story champion, the Florida League will bring back many familiar faces, and will add some new blood as well. Let’s meet the teams!
Deland Suns (Twitter - @DeLandSuns, Facebook - /DelandSuns)
The Suns will return to the city of Deland’s Conrad Park for the fourth consecutive season. Located at 555 S. Woodland Blvd., Melching Field is the home to the Stetson University Hatters baseball team. After coming off an impressive 3rd place finish last season, the Suns will look to make it to their first championship game since their inception in 2009.
Leesburg Lightning (Twitter - @FCSLLightning, Facebook - /LeesburgLightning)
Pat Thomas stadium was recently featured in Baseball America’s Great Parks 2012 calendar, and since 2007, the Leesburg Lightning have been proud to call Pat Thomas Stadium home. Featuring the loudest fans in the Florida League, the Lightning are pleased to return to 250 Ball Park Rd. After setting a Florida League record for wins last season with 29, the Lightning were upset by Sanford in the playoffs. They will look to bounce back in 2012 and return to Tropicana Field, where they last won in 2009.
Orlando Freedom (Twitter – @Orlando_Freedom, Facebook - /OrlandoFreedom)
Last year’s rookie squad struggled in their debut season, but look to bounce back in 2012. The Freedom will call the newly renovated First Academy home for the 2nd straight season. Facility improvements include new bleachers, a press box and a concession stand. The Freedom are a Christian ministry-based team whose players and coaches take part in community outreach projects when they aren’t playing ball.
Orlando Monarchs (Twitter - @orlandomonarchs, Facebook - /OrlandoMonarchs)
The Monarchs will be making their Florida League debut in 2012, playing their home games at historic Tinker Field in downtown Orlando. Founded by a group that includes team President Rickie Weeks Sr., the Monarchs will be mostly made up of players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and minority collegiate players.
Sanford River Rats (Twitter - @FCSLRiverRats, Facebook - /SanfordRiverRats)
Last season’s champions will be back to defend their title as they return for the ninth season in team history. One of two original Florida League teams remaining, the Rats play all of their home games at Historic Sanford Memorial Stadium, located at 1201 S. Mellonville Ave in Sanford. The stadium is one of the largest venues in the Florida League, and recently celebrated its 60-year anniversary.
Winter Park Diamond Dawgs (Twitter - @WPDiamondDawgs, Facebook - /WPDiamondDawgs)
The Diamond Dawgs, the other of the two original Florida League teams, will return to play their 9th season in Winter Park. The Dawgs play their home games at Alfond Stadium, home of the Rollins College Tars. After losing a very competitive championship game in 2011, the Dawgs will be looking to bring home the league trophy for the second time in three seasons.
The 2012 season will kick-off on June 7th in Sanford with a rematch of last year’s championship game as the Rats host the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs. The league’s All-Star festivities, featuring a scout showcase, home run derby, and the all-star game will take place on Tuesday July 17th. The FCSL championship game will once again be held at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. The game will be on Thursday August 9th, following the Rays vs. Blue Jays game. A full schedule of the 2012 season will be released in the next few weeks. Check floridaleague.com for more info and updates.
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