57° SUNNY, -
Thursday, January 08, 2009, 8:33 pm
Rays sell out two spring training games in Charlotte
Two days before Rays spring training tickets go on sale to the public, Tampa Bay already has sold out two home spring training games at Charlotte Sports Park: March 7 against Boston and March 22 vs. the New York Yankees.
In addition, only a limited number of reserve tickets are available for the remaining games on the Rays home spring schedule. -
Tuesday, January 06, 2009, 5:41 pm
Rays add 6 to spring training roster
The Rays agreed to minor league contracts with catcher Michel Hernandez, outfielder Jon Weber, left-handed pitcher Randy Choate, right-handed pitcher Julio DePaula, infielder Ray Olmedo and outfielder Ray Sadler.
All have been invited to major league spring training as non-roster players.
Hernandez, 30, was a member of the Rays postseason roster throughout the playoffs. The Rays acquired the 11-year minor league veteran from Pittsburgh for cash considerations Aug. 31. Hernandez hit .266 in 76 games with Triple A Indianapolis in 2008. The native of Cuba was called up to the majors Sept. 9, when catcher Shawn Riggans underwent knee surgery. He played in five games for the Rays, his first big league action since 2003 with the New York Yankees.
Weber, who turns 31 in January, was invited to major league camp by the Rays in 2008 and spent the entire season with Triple A Durham. The left-handed hitter batted .265 for the Bulls with 13 homers, 51 RBI, 24 doubles and 11 stolen bases.
Choate, 33, pitched for Milwaukee’s Triple A affiliate at Nashville last season. He has spent parts of eight seasons in the majors with the Yankees (2000-03) and Arizona (2004-07). He pitched in two postseasons (2000-01) for New York. During 196 career major league outings he is 5-7 with a 4.64 ERA. A Tampa resident, Choate was selected by the Yankees out of Florida State in the fifth round of the 1997 June Draft.
DePaula, 26, joins the Rays after nine years in Minnesota organization. He appeared in 51 games, including five starts, for Triple A Rochester last season. DePaula reached the majors in 2007 and made 16 appearances in the Twins bullpen. In the minors, he owns a 48-35 career record with a 3.16 ERA.
Olmedo, 27, has played parts of five years in the majors with Cincinnati (2003-06) and Toronto (2007). In 2008 he was the starting shortstop for Triple A Columbus, a Washington affiliate, where he hit .252 with four homers and 10 stolen bases.
Sadler, 28, split the 2008 campaign between Triple A Round Rock and Double A Corpus Christi in the Houston system. The right-handed hitter combined to bat .272 with 25 homers, 78 RBI and a .527 slugging percentage. Sadler played three games with Pittsburgh in 2005, his only action in the majors. During nine minor league seasons, he has tallied 131 homers and 128 steals. -
Monday, January 05, 2009, 4:40 pm
Rays sign power-hitting Burrell
The Rays found their right-handed power bat, signing outfielder Pat Burrell to a two-year, $16 million contract.
Burrell played his entire career with the Philadelphia Phillies, who defeated Tampa Bay in the World Series. -
Wednesday, December 24, 2008, 11:16 pm
Rays to sign reliever Nelson
According to several reports, the Rays will sign right-handed relief pitcher Joe Nelson to a one-year contract.
The 34-year-old Nelson pitched for the Florida Marlins last year, going 3-1 with a 2.00 earned run average in 54 innings. He struck out 60 and walked 22 in 59 games.
A resident of Palm Beach County, he wanted to stay in the state, after he was non-tendered by the Marlins after the season. -
Tuesday, December 23, 2008, 6:41 pm
City of Palms Classic looks good on ESPNU
The City of Palms Classic received some national recognition, when ESPNU not only televised the championship game, but also the consolation game Tuesday in Fort Myers.
The standing-room only crowd at Bishop Verot High School gave the showcase a nice background.
Mater Dei of California captured its second title in the past three seasons, defeating St. Patrick of Elizabeth, N.J., 52-45.
University of North Carolina coach Roy Williams was in attendance to watch five of his recruits who played in the tournament.
The consolation game was the more entertaining of the two contests.
Winter Park received a huge game from Austin Rivers in a 91-87 victory over Wheeler of Georgia.
Son of Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers, Austin scored 46 points, 30 in the second half for Winter Park, which played in the Wally Keller Classic last year at Charlotte High. A sophomore, Rivers already verbally committed to attend the University of Florida.
The only drawback with the telecast is hearing where the players are ranked by ESPN and all the self-promotion of the station. -
Saturday, December 20, 2008, 5:17 pm
Former Tarpon on Memphis coaching staff
On the Memphis staff is Darin Hinshaw, who was a standout quarterback at Charlotte High.
In addition to playing football, Hinshaw played basketball and tennis for the Tarpons.
After playing for the Tarpons, Hinshaw went on to the University of Central Florida, where he played, setting several passing records during his senior season, and coached for a couple of seasons.
Hinshaw’s coaching career took him to Middle Tennessee for five years and Georgia Southern for a year. He has spent the past two seasons on the Tigers’ staff under Tommy West. Hinshaw is the wide receivers coach. -
Saturday, December 20, 2008, 5:00 pm
Seeing football at the Trop is different
It’s weird.
The most recent time Tropicana Field was open for business for a sporting event was Oct. 23.
There were a heckuva a lot more people here.
It was Game 2 of the World Series during the Tampa Bay Rays improbable season.
It was the Rays’ final victory of the season, a 4-2 decision over the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Rays went to Philadelphia and lost three straight.
Saturday, the Trop was open for the inaugural magicJack St. Petersburg Bowl, pitting Memphis and the University of South Florida Bulls.
Just seeing a football field where a baseball diamond in a baseball stadium was different. It probably was the same when they played hockey and basketball here, but a portion of the facility was draped off, cutting out some of the dead area.
The field ran from the visiting dugout on the third base side to right field, just as it did for the baseball court and the hockey rink, when those sports were played here.
All the dirt spots on the infield were filled in with artificial turf that was a different color green than the rest of the FieldTurf.
The lower bowl behind the Rays’ dugout, behind the Bulls’ bench, filled up rather nicely, as did the seats beyond the far goalpost, which is the right field stands. There were plenty of seats behind the plate, which was the corner of the end zone and on the press level and in the upper deck.
The biggest gap was down the left field line, in left field and in the tbt* Party Area. No one sat there.
ESPN strategically placed the cameras in spots where many of the empty seats were not visible to the viewing audience on ESPN2.
Otherwise, the bands provided a college atmosphere.
It didn’t take long for controversy. Sixty-two seconds into the game, Bulls QB Matt Grothe lofted a pass for Taurus Johnson to the left pylon. Johnson appeared to have crossed the goal line, but possession was in question.
The official first ruled a touchback.
After a review, Johnson was awarded a touchdown.
Bulls 7, Tigers 0, early. -
Friday, December 19, 2008, 5:04 pm
Port Charlotte football 2008 awards banquet winners
The Pirate Football program hosted its annual Awards Banquet and enjoyed dinner compliments of Brian Chapman from State Farm Insurance.
The following awards were given:
Outstanding Offensive Lineman - Marcus Amick
Outstanding Defensive Lineman - Desmond Bowman
Outstanding Offensive Player - Sam Thurston
Outstanding Defensive Player - Jeremy Brown
Outstanding Special Teams Player - Sam Costa
The Commitment Award - Tristan Gibbs
The Watson Award - Nic Huether (Exhibits the true spirit of volunteerism, sacrifice, and willingness to go above and beyond for their brothers, school, and team.)
Most Improved Player - Pat Paul
Coaches Award - Josh Serrano
The PRIDE Award - Richard Morgan (the heart and soul of the team. His actions are uplifting and are devoted to encouragement and support of their team and teammates.)
Coach Hoffer also was presented a Pirate letterman jacket by Valerie and Chuck Gibbs for his commitment to the players, program, and school. -
Friday, December 19, 2008, 4:29 pm
Stone Crabs, Rays GCL team fill on-field staffs
Two days after unveiling their logo and color scheme, the Charlotte County Stone Crabs have an on-field staff.
The Tampa Bay Rays appointed Bradenton resident Jim Morrison as the manager of the Class A team in the Florida State League.
It will be Morrison’s second year of managing in the Florida State League. He was the manager a year ago, when the team was based in Vero Beach.
On Morrison’s staff are pitching coach Bill Moloney and coach Joe Szekely. Chris Tomashoff is the trainer.
The Stone Crabs will play at Charlotte Sports Park, the Rays’ refurbished spring training complex in Port Charlotte. They will begin playing in April.
Also at the complex, the Rays will operate a Gulf Coast League team. Joe Alvarez is the manager with pitching coach Darwin Peguero and coaches Ben Oglivie and Reinaldo Ruiz on his staff. Jorge Vargas is the team trainer. The Gulf Coast Rays will begin playing in June. -
Thursday, December 18, 2008, 8:47 pm
City of Palms a basketball junkie's delight
Area basketball fans looking to see some of the top talent in the nation should head down to Bishop Verot High School in Fort Myers for the Bank of America/City of Palms Classic.
There were two highly-competitive games to open the event Thursday.
Roman Catholic of Philadelphia nipped Jacksonville Arlington Country Day, 56-55, in the lidlifter of the event. A few years ago Arlington Country Day made a visit to Charlotte.
The second game was another nail-biter, as Word of God from Raleigh, N.C., slipped past Plantation American Heritage with University of Florida signee Kenny Boynton.
North Port played the middle of the five games, losing to Jacksonville Andrew Jackson, 76-58.
Locals, Fort Myers Dunbar and Fort Myers High played in the fourth and fifth games, respectively.
Six games are on tap Friday, seven more Saturday, when the 3-point shootout will take place, eight on Monday, when the slam dunk contest will be held and seven Tuesday, including the third-place game and championship at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., respectively. For fans who can’t make it down, both the consolation and championship will be telecast on ESPNU. -
Thursday, December 18, 2008, 11:43 am
Murphy gets major league invite with Royals
Tommy Murphy will try to reach the major leagues with the Kansas City Royals.
The Royals signed the former Charlotte High and Florida Atlantic University standout to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training in Surprise, Ariz..
Last year, the switch-hitting outfielder opened the season with Washington’s Triple A team at Columbus. In 70 games, he batted .286 with two home runs and 15 runs batted in. He finished the season with Florida’s Triple A team at Albuquerque, where he hit .321 with four homers and 22 RBI in 45 games. Combined, he stole 42 bases in 52 attempts.
In the minors, Murphy has a career .265 average and 199 steals.
The 29-year-old has a .213 average in 108 major league at-bats in the major leagues, all with the Los Angeles Angels in 2006 and 2007. -
Wednesday, December 17, 2008, 11:35 pm
Lakewood Ranch overcomes obstacles to defeat Charlotte
It would have been easy for the Lakewood Ranch High boys basketball team to pack it in and return North with another loss.
Missing four players at the outset due to various reasons, the Mustangs lost another late in the third quarter of Wednesday night’s game against Charlotte.
Andrew McNett went down with a severe injury to his left leg. Action was stopped for 15 minutes as McNett was stabilized and taken away via ambulance.
The delay was so long, the officials permitted the players to warm up before action resumed.
Lakewood Ranch trailed by a point at the time.
In addition to the now five players sidelined, Cole Zigich already had fouled out, picking up his fourth and fifth fouls within a 10-second span midway through the third quarter.
It looked bleak for the Mustangs, especially after they threw the ball away with 10 seconds remaining in a tie game.
Danny Zarella came up with a steal and converted it into a layup to snap the deadlock, and Lakewood Ranch pulled out an improbable 57-55 victory in a Class 5A-District 12 contest.
The win was only the second of the year in nine games for the Mustangs, but could go a long way in determining the team’s future.
“It’s good for the boys,” Lakewood Ranch coach Chris Kawcak said.
The fact it came in a hostile environment was even more rewarding.
“Tonight is probably the first night from beginning to end they competed and played hard the whole game,” Kawcak said. “They needed this. They needed some confidence.”
Jake Carlton scored 20 points and grabbed seven rebounds and played the way Kawcak expected. Zarella had plenty of big plays before his game-winner. Joe Scro didn’t score, but came off the bench to contribute with his hustle and defense. Nick Diaz battled inside before fouling out.
When Kawcak said it was a team effort, it wasn’t just a clitche.
“They needed confidence and to believe in themselves, and this is a big step for them,” Kawcak said.
Kawcak immediately was going to foul when Charlotte inbounded in front of the Lakewood Ranch bench. But when Zarella converted the steal, it was retreat and play defense.
The Tarpons had three chances to tie. But like many of their shots on this night, they failed to convert.
“We got beat at every facet tonight,” Charlotte coach Tom Massolio said. “They did a great job.”
Lakewood Ranch fell behind by 12 in the second quarter, before battling back to gain the lead late in the third quarter.
“When all the pieces come together, it makes it work a little better,” Kawcak said.
Massolio still is looking for the right mixture.
Off for more than a week, the Tarpons came out strongly. Charlotte lost continuity when it went to the bench, enabling the Mustangs to battle back.
“We let one go tonight,” Massolio said.
Jonathan Ocasio came off the bench to hit 6-of-9 shots and finish with 17 points and a game-high nine rebounds for the Tarpons. Alex Mut contributed 10 for Charlotte, which missed 14-of-24 free throws.
“Nobody wants to see anybody get hurt like that, but teams do respond in those situations,” Massolio said. “I hope the kid is going to be OK. Give them all the credit in the world. They did exactly what they were supposed to do.” -
Wednesday, December 17, 2008, 3:02 pm
North Port boys play in City of Palms basketball tournament Thursday
The North Port High boys basketball team will make its debut in the City of Palms Classic at 6 p.m. Thursday against Jacksonville Andrew Jackson in a Sunshine Series game at Bishop Verot High School in Fort Myers.
The Bobcats are 7-1 following Tuesday night’s 78-65 to Manatee in a Class 5A-District 12 contest.
North Port is led by high-scoring senior swingman Shaun Noriega, who has committed to the University of South Florida, and sophomore center Kasey Wilson.
Andrew Jackson, which finished 23-8 last year, has 6-foot-6 Milton Geddes and 6-4 transfer Stanley Poole Jr.
Playing in the Sunshine Series means the Bobcats will play one game in the five-day event.
In one of the finest fields assembled in the 36-year history of the event, here is a complete schedule:
All games at Bishop Verot HS
THURSDAY, December 18 (5 games)
2:30 p.m. (Game 1): Jacksonville Arlington Country Day (Fla.) vs. Philadelphia Roman Catholic (Pa.)
4:15 p.m. (Game 2): Raleigh Word of God (N.C.) vs. Plantation American Heritage (Fla.)
6:00 p.m. (Game 3-Sunshine Series): North Port (Fla.) vs. Jacksonville Andrew Jackson (Fla.)
7:45 p.m. (Game 4): Fort Myers Dunbar (Fla.) vs. Duncanville (Texas)
9:30 p.m. (Game 5): Fort Myers (Fla.) vs. Los Angeles Westchester (Calif.)
FRIDAY, December 19 (6 games)
1:00 p.m. (Game 6): Consolation: Gm 2 loser (Word of God-Am.Heritage) vs. Gm 4 loser (Dunbar-Duncanville)
2:45 p.m. (Game 7): Consolation: Gm 1 loser (ACD-Roman) vs. Gm 5 loser (Fort Myers-Westchester)
4:30 p.m. (Game 8): Gm 4 winner (Dunbar-Duncanville) vs. Winter Park (Fla.)
6:15 p.m. (Game 9): Gm 5 winner (Fort Myers-Westchester) vs. Orlando Olympia (Fla.)
7:40 p.m.: Team Flight Brothers Dunk Show (15 minutes) www.teamflightbros.org
8:15 p.m. (Game 10): Brooklyn Lincoln (N.Y.) vs. Memphis Briarcrest (Tenn.)
10:00 p.m. (Game 11): Santa Ana Mater Dei (Calif.) vs. Fayetteville Fayette County (Ga.)
SATURDAY, December 20 (7 games)
10:15 a.m. (Game 12): Consolation: Gm 8 loser (Dunbar-Duncanv-WPark) vs. Gm 10 loser (Lincoln-Briarcrest)
12 noon (Game 13): Consolation game: Gm 9 loser (FM-Westch-Olympia) vs. Gm 11 loser (Mater Dei-Fayette)
1:45 p.m. (Game 14): Quarterfinal: Gm 8 winner (Dunbar-Duncanv-WPk) vs. Gm 9 winner (FM-West-Olympia)
3:30 p.m. (Game 15): Quarterfinal: Elizabeth St. Patrick (N.J.) vs. Gm 2 winner (Word of God-Am.Heritage)
5:15 p.m. (Game 16-Sunshine Series): Montverde Academy (Fla.) vs. Deerfield Beach Zion Lutheran (Fla.)
6:25 p.m.: State Farm Insurance City of Palms 3-point Shootout
7:30 p.m. (Game 17): Quarterfinal: Marietta Wheeler (Ga.) vs. Gm 10 winner (Lincoln-Briarcrest)
9:15 p.m. (Game 18): Quarterfinal: Gm 1 winner (ACD-Roman) vs. Gm 11 winner (Mater Dei-Fayette)
MONDAY, December 22 (8 games)
8:30 a.m. (Game 19): Challenge-round game: Game 7 loser vs. Game 13 loser
10:15 a.m. (Game 20): Challenge-round game: Game 6 loser vs. Game 12 loser
12 noon (Game 21): Consolation semifinal: Game 13 winner vs. Game 7 winner
1:45 p.m. (Game 22): Consolation semifinal: Game 12 winner vs. Game 6 winner
3:30 p.m. (Game 23): Fifth-place semifinal: Game 17 loser vs. Game 18 loser
5:15 p.m. (Game 24): Fifth-place semifinal: Game 15 loser vs. Game 14 loser
7:00 p.m. (Game 25): Semifinal: Game 18 winner vs. Game 17 winner
8:25 p.m.: Fowler White Boggs Slam Dunk Championship
9:30 p.m. (Game 26): Semifinal: Game 14 winner vs. Game 15 winner
TUESDAY, December 23 (7 games)
9:00 a.m. (Game 27): Challenge-round (pairing of 1-win teams to be announced at 5 p.m. Monday)
10:40 a.m. (Game 28): Challenge-round (pairing of 1-win teams to be announced at 5 p.m. Monday)
12:20 p.m. (Game 29): Fifth-place final: Game 24 winner vs. Game 23 winner
3:00 p.m. (Game 30): THIRD PLACE FINAL Game 25 loser vs. Game 26 loser / ESPNU (live)
5:00 p.m.: CITY OF PALMS CHAMPIONSHIP Game 25 winner vs. Game 26 winner / ESPNU (live)
7:15 p.m. (Game 32-Sunshine Series): Fort Myers Bishop Verot (Fla.) vs. Tampa Sickles (Fla.)
9:00 p.m. (Game 33): Consolation championship: Game 22 winner vs. Game 21 winner -
Thursday, December 11, 2008, 8:54 pm
Everblades return home after long trip
For the first time in nearly a month, the Florida Everblades of the ECHL will return to Germain Arena in Estero.
After a 17-day trip that spanned 3,617 miles, the Everblades will be home 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday to play the South Carolina Stingrays.
Saturday, the team will hold its annual “Teddy Bear Toss.” The team is asking fans to bring an unwrapped stuffed toy to throw onto the ice after the Everblades score their first goal. The toys will be distributed to Southwest Florida youth charities, including Toys for Tots and the Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida.
The Everblades went 7-1-1 on the trip to improve to 15-3-2 overall. -
Thursday, December 11, 2008, 12:17 pm
Stone Crabs to unveil logo Dec. 17
The Charlotte Stone Crabs are taking it to the streets again.
The advanced Class A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays will unveil their logo and jersey designs at 5 p.m. Dec. 17 in front of the Regal Cinema at the Port Charlotte Town Center mall in Murdock.
Teaming with the Charlotte County Boys and Girls Club, the first 50 fans to register at the event will receive a Stone Crabs T-shirt. All in attendance can register to win door prices, including the grand price of four 10-game mini plans, a $240 value, plus $100 in Crab Cash.
The Stone Crabs will play 70 games in the Florida State League beginning in April.
Dennis Maffezzoli
