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  History While Florida boasts some of the finest baseball talent in the nation and plays host to twenty professional teams for the spring Grapefruit League, we did not have a summer wood bat league following NCAA guidelines, until Summer 2004. After two years of conceptualizing, in November of 2003 Sal Lombardo, Mike Whiting, and Sara Whiting organized the Florida Collegiate Summer League as a single-entity administrative model – four teams operated by one League. For the inaugural season of Summer 2004, FCSL created four teams: Orlando, Sanford, Daytona Beach, and Winter Park. Funds were raised from individuals and businesses in each team’s community who shared their vision of a player-focused college wood bat baseball league in Central Florida. Coaches, assistants, game day staffing were hired locally. The Daytona Beach Barracudas played at Daytona Beach Community College’s field, and were coached and managed by Pat Leach, head assistant at Daytona Beach Community College. The Sanford River Rats played in Sanford’s Memorial Stadium, and were coached and managed by Ricky Plante, head assistant at Seminole Community College. The Orlando Shockers played in Tinker Field, and were coached and managed by Chad Sommers, head assistant at St. Leo University. The Winter Park Diamond Dawgs played at Lake Brantley High School’s field, and were coached and managed by Rob Sitz, head assistant at Rollins College. As word spread, volunteers came forth. FCSL’s first gave ever was on June 7, 2003 in Historic Sanford Memorial Stadium, playing to an opening night crowd of 500 fans. The players’ talent level was excellent. The media and communities caught on. For example, in the eight weeks of the first season, the Sanford River Rats grew a loyal and enthusiastic fan base. Crowds of up to 1,000 came to July weekend games. Our players enthusiastically do community service in their hometowns, as a show of thanks to the people who make it possible for them to play summer wood bat baseball. FCSL Players Each team recruits their own players. Our players have all completed at least one year of college and have at least one year of NCAA eligibility remaining. As part of the National Alliance of College Summer Baseball, we use the NACSB clearinghouse and require all players to submit a letter of commitment signed by an official representative of their college. Our players come from strong college baseball programs all around the country. To add to the already strong resident talent in Florida, we will house 30% of our players in 2006. After only two seasons of play, FCSL is one of the top summer leagues, as recognized by Baseball America. We exist to advance college players towards their futures in professional baseball. Fourteen of our 2005 players were recently drafted and five of our alumni have signed this summer with professional organizations, numbers we expect to rise as our league strengthens. FCSL 2006 Season For our third summer, 2006, FCSL will again have 6 teams in Central Florida. To reduce distances, the Winter Haven Wart Hogs will move to Winter Pines, and the Zephyrhills Snappers will move to Altamonte Springs. We are very excited to welcome our new team, the Orlando Hammers. The Hammers are one of 5 Athletes-in-Action teams, part of the sports ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ. Their home field will be Hershiser Field, at The First Academy in southwest Orlando. The Winter Park Diamond Dawgs, Orlando Shockers and Sanford River Rats are remaining in their hometowns. FCSL Board of Directors Sara Whiting - President Mike Whiting - Treasurer Sal Lombardo – Altamonte Springs Snappers President Joe Russell – Orlando Shockers President Dan Ping – Sanford River Rats President Ian Nathanson –Winter Park Diamond Dawgs President Sean Connolly – Winter Pines Warthogs President Honorary League Advisors Jay Bergman Dante Bichette Sal Butera David Eckstein Rick Eckstein Chipper Jones George Martin Tim Raines Sr. Mike Stanley Frank Viola Vic Zollo FCSL Administration Rob Sitz, Vice President Mack Whiting, Public Relations Dennis McComb, Umpire-in-Chief Brian Smith, League Statistician Mike Reese, Webmaster |
| ©2008 Athletes in Action Baseball. All Rights Reserved |
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