January 24, 2015 - Spring baseball!
Here's hoping the New Year finds you well, are you ready for some spring baseball??

The registration and draft is Super Bowl Sunday morning,February 1st, for new players or those who want to try a different team, at the South Orange Baseball Complex, (directions from your location on the tab to the left), with Opening Day Sunday, February the 8th.

The cost is $185 for 16 games, plus playoffs. You can mail a check or Money Order to CFL MSBL, PO Box 4025, Apopka, FL 32704, or use credit cards on the PayPal button on the upper left of this page. Please include an extra $7.50 for Pay Pal's share if you elect that option.

Let me know if you plan on attending, send a note with age, position(s) and contact info to blevinsknows@hotmail.com

We look forward to having you in the league!

Thanks!

December 16, 2014 - Pirates and Padres are Fall Champions!!! Soto in Hall
Rookie manager and mound ace Ernesto Sosa brought his Pirates back from a 5 run deficit to beat the regular season champion Reds and regain their crown as league champions.

Danny Alejandro and the Padres completed the 2014 season sweep, winning both the spring and fall seasons, in a tough victory over the upstart Mets. League historians are poring over the archives, but suffice it to say that it has been a long while since a team won it all in both the spring and the fall.

Congratulations to both of these fine clubs, to all of their players and fans! Hopefully more details and pictures to follow soon!

Also congratulations to the Reds and Mets, both playing in the rarefied air of the finals in the Mets case for the first time, and in the Reds case in a long time. Tips of the cap to Joe Machovina and Pete Parilla and their squads for great seasons, you know they'll both be back.

Finally, the first member of the Class of '14 was honored at the end of the game, Felix Soto Toro of the Mets. Congratulations Felix, full writeups and acknowledgement will be forthcoming.

Thanks for another great season everybody, 2015 is right around the corner so rest up!

December 10, 2014 - Semi-final results, Champiosnhip games set!
In the 25+ series, the Pirates mowed down the Angels in the first game, and the Reds in the second game, putting them on the brink of regaining the crown they gave up last spring. In the 38's, two great games, the Padres edged the Criollos 10-8 and the Mets entered the championship game for the first time by tipping the DC's 1-0.

Here are some highlights from our correspondent on the ground:

The Lake County Mets will make their first ever appearance in the MSBL Championship series. The Mets propelled themselves into the championship showdown Vs the 2X Champ powerhouse Orlando Padres this coming Sunday, December 14th, 2014. In a pitching duel, the Mets defeated the DCs by a final score of 1-0 on a 9 inning gem from Mets ace and fall 2014 team Cy Young Award winner Luis Rodriguez. Luis was spectacular on the mound tossing 9 complete frames of 4 hit baseball to go along with 5 punch outs. The Mets defense was superb and committed no errors in this game.

Credit to the DCs for a great battle as the Mets did not hit well and were only able to push the game's lone run across the plate on an errant throw in the bottom of the first inning. DCs pitcher Joey Neira was awesome on the mound for the DCs only giving up 2 hits in 9 innings of work.

SO Championship Sunday looks like this: Reds@ Pirates at 9 AM, Mets @ Padres at 12:30, both game at South Orange. Come on out for some season-ending championship baseball between 4 great teams!!

December 05, 2014 - Playoff schedule, Sunday Dec. 7
10 AM Colonial High School 10 AM DC's @ Mets winner advances to championship.

9 AM South Orange 9 AM Criollos @ Padres -winner advances to championship game vs. winner of above

Noon or as soon as possible: Angels @ Pirates winner advances to meet Reds for championship of 25+

3 PM or as soon as possible Winner of Noon game @ Reds

All South Orange games are normal game length rules, no new inning after 2:40, for today only.

Trotters 9 AM A's @ Old Reds makeup game.

November 12, 2014 - Holiday Toy Drive for those less fortunate
From Pete Parilla of the Mets:

Hello MSBL family and friends. I have recently become aware of a very special act of kindness on behalf one of the Lake County Mets most prolific players.

He is not only an excellent player, teammate and friend but "unbeknownst" to us, he is also a hero to many of his countrymen's underprivileged children in the Dominican Republic. Our very own Francis Vasquez through his church's and personal networks has been delivering toys to underprivileged children in the Dominican Republic for quite some time now during the holiday seasons.

This is truly a commendable action; and I would like to invite you all to take part in bringing joy to an underprivileged child this holiday season.

The Lake County Mets will be collecting new unwrapped toys on Sunday, November 16th and November 23rd at Colonial High School from 9am until 2pm.

If you'd like to stop by and share a little bit of your good fortune it will be very much appreciated.

Hope to see all of you at the ballpark and thank you in advance for your generosity!

You may also contact Francis directly at FrancisVasquez@aol.com

October 07, 2014 - Mets Upend Padres Oct. 7th!!
The Lake County Mets played excellent defense to go along with some key knocks to defeat the Padres by a final score of 5-3 at Colonial HS yesterday, but the stars of the day were Mark Clark who started the game and only gave up 3 runs. (2 inherited runners scored on a hit after he was removed due to tightness in his leg) and a superb relief pitching performance by Luis Rodriguez who shut the door on the Padres tossing 5 1/3 scoreless innings to go along with 7 Ks, scattering 5 hits and 3 BBs for the win.

September 21, 2014 - Game recap - Reds/Angels Thanks Joe!
On a warm September day, both the Angels and Reds battled hard and the Reds squeeked by in a closely contested game. Matt Clayton got the win in an impressive seven inning complete game. The Reds took an early three run lead in top of the 1st. However, the Angels quickly responded with two runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning. The Reds managed to get runs across the board in the top of the 2nd and 3rd, increasing their lead to four.

It looked like the Reds might get out of there comfortably, going in to the bottom of the seventh with a 9-5 lead. Things got interesting when the Angels managed to put one across home and load up the bases with two outs. In the end Matt came through in the clutch, forcing a ground ball out to end the game 9-6.

Thank you to all the players on both teams for coming out and fighting hard.

July 02, 2014 - Angels and Padres Are Champions!
In a triumph of teams with religious names, the 25+ Angels swept the Pirates, and the 38+ Padres swept the Criollos to win their respective championships Sunday. The rain came late, and put a damper on the celebrations, but the results were the first championship for the Angels in over a decade, and the Padres regaining their crown most recently held by the DC's. Congratulations to Adam Bocken and his Halos, and to Danny Alejandro and the Pads.

Angels Highlights
Game 1 On a muggy June Sunday afternoon June 22, the Angels and Pirates squared off in the championship opener and in the early going, runs seemed at a premium as both pitching staffs were dueling. It wasn't until the bottom of the sixth that the Pirates chased the Angels starter and broke open a 3- 0 lead. The next few innings had the making of a defensive clinic until suddenly the Angels bats decided it was early for a hibernation and the score went into the latter innings knotted at three a piece. The Pirates tacked one on in their half of the eighth and seemed to be well on their way to putting the Angels in a hole for the series. The top of the 9th set the landscape for a theatrical closing as Jared Hess came to the plate with two out and a runner on, to send the 2-2 offering over the left field wall where some proud youngster scurried for the souvenir moon shot. The Pirates rallied in the 9th putting two runners in scoring position with two outs and their heart of their potent order dwelling. The game ended on a high bounding grounder in the 3rd and Short hole, which seemed to have eyes initially and on a photo finish type play at 1st the side was retired and the Angels had held on in a tight one to win 5-4.

Game 2 Sundays game 2 of the 25+ championship series saw the Angels unseat the defending champion Pirates. The Angels rallied for a 7-0 lead in the 2nd inning, one of two innings in which the Angels batted through their lineup. The solid hitting and persistence of the Pirates helped them to narrow the gap to an 8-7 Angels lead in the 6th, where the Angels defense held serve. In the bottom of the 7th, the Angels bats erupted once again to post 8 more runs, closing the door in a rain shortened game that sealed a 16-7 victory against a solid defending champion in the Pirates. The Angels got production from top to bottom in their lineup in this series and committed only a single error in the duel, solidifying their most impressive stretch of baseball all season against the strongest opponent in the league. Congratulations to both teams for representing the league in this series, which closes out yet another season in the 25+. (Eric Heberling reporting)

Padres Highlights
Game 1 Angel Miranda pitched 5 innings for the win with Pete Correa coming in to relieve and shut down a bases loaded Criollos rally in the 6th. A balanced Padres hitting attack with Jose Birriel going 3 for 3 with a double and rbi, Luis Melendez went 2 for 4 with 3 rbi's, Jose Lind went 3 for 4 with a double and rbi, Pete Correa went 2 for 3 with 2 rbi's and Jose Granado going 2 for 4 with a double and rbi.

Game 2 Papa Ortiz pitched 5 1/3 innings for the clinching win. The Padres lineup was led by Jose Lind who homered in going 2 for 4 with 3 rbi's and Danny Alejandro who went 3 for 4 with a double and 2 rbi's. It was a complete and total team effort. (Danny Alejandro reporting)

June 28, 2014 - Sad News - We'll miss you Rich!
Richard Finelli 9:13am Jun 28 Hello Brian. Wanted to take this opportunity to inform you that as of June 22, 2014, I am officially retired from baseball umpiring. I've been diagnosed with an incurable digestive disease. It is treatable under care of a doctor & with proper diet & medication. How ever 2 to 3 hours at a time on a baseball field is no longer possible. Please pass the word to all your teams & let them know how much I appreciated the mutual respect they afforded me on the diamond. My 35 year career has ended along with my 60 year over all participation in the greatest game ever created. Thanks for letting me be a part of your organization.

April 05, 2014 - Rule of the week - Injured players
3I. If a player is forced to leave a game due to injury or ejection or a previous commitment elsewhere, a reserve player, not previously entered into the game as a hitter, must hit in the replaced player’s place. If there are no reserves who can replace the individual, the spot is skipped and all hitters below that position move up. The first time this vacated spot comes up in the batting order, an out will be assessed, after that one time, no out will be recorded for skipping the spot vacated by the displaced player.

March 26, 2014 - Sad news
Mike Sanford. long-time umpire, good friend of the league and many of the players, passed away last night of cancer, with friends and families at his side in Cleveland, Ohio. Mike was always rated as one of the best umps this league had ever had, both with his calls and with his demeanor. He will always have a special place in the hearts of the many of us who had the honor and privilege of knowing him. He worked almost exclusively over the years with his umpiring partner Ferdie Medina, who has been a great umpire and player in the league for many years. We can only express our deepest sympathies to all who knew him, however briefly. Keep the game moving up in heaven Mikey, we will miss you!

February 22, 2014 - Rule of the Week!! Courtesy Runners
5A. Players that will need courtesy runners must have their manager notify the opposing manager prior to the start of the game. If not so notified, the opposing manager may deny the request. Each team will be allowed a maximum of 2 players per game who can be run for each team that they reach base. The individual who runs for these player(s) needing a courtesy runner is not determined ahead to time. It is always the last batted out who must run for the person needing the courtesy runner. Once the game begins and the full complement of 2 courtesy runners (2) have already been designated, a pinch runner must be used and no courtesy runner will be allowed. If a batter (designated a needing a courtesy runner) opts to run, or forgets to get a courtesy runner and subsequently runs, he will lose his courtesy runner for the remaining portion of the game. The offensive team that is replacing the courtesy runner has 30 seconds to make the runner change. If the runner is not replaced within its time period, the original runner must run and the right to use the courtesy runner for this particular batter will be forfeited for the balance of the game. The 30 second time limit will begin at the time the umpire calls for time to allow replacement for the runner.

December 10, 2013 - DC
The DC's edged the Padres 3-2 in 11 innings Sunday for the 38+ championship in Ocoee. It was a phenomenal season-ending victory, their 2nd consecutive crown after they upset the top-seeded Padres for the spring championship. This fall the DC's led wire to wire, winning all 14 of their contests.

The game was a heart- stopper for the DC's and their fans, and a heart-breaker for the Padres. Cesar Cedeno and Carmelo Morges started for their respective teams and threw up goose eggs until the 4th, when the Padres broke through. Pete Correa had a 2- run single with 2 out after an error and a walk for 2 unearned runs, but they looked to be enough, as Morges continued to mow down DC hitters.

In the 8th, the DC's finally broke through when Angel Davila led off the bottom of the frame with a long HR to left. But Morges settled down to clear the inning without further damage. Not scoring in the top half of the 9th meant they had 3 outs to get to reclaim the crown they won last fall. But Jorge Rosado led off the DC half of the 9th with a single, and in a somewhat controversial call, manager John Rios had Felix Lopez sacrifice Rosado into scoring position, which he did perfectly. After a ground out to 2nd, the DC's were down to their last out. But Robert Michel came up huge, ripping a clutch single to score Rosado with the tying run.

On to extra innings, where Ferdie Medina continued a streak of 7 consecutive scoreless innings in relief before the DC's came to bat in the bottom of the 11th. Angel Davila led off with a walk, and promptly stole second. This took the bat out of the hands of offensive juggernaut German "Deportivo" Rivera, as he was passed intentionally by Pads manager Danny Alejandro. Victor Vidal attempted to bunt the runners along, and pitcher Manny Rentana, who earlier had thrown out not one but 2 DC runners attempting to stretch singles into doubles from left, made a strong throw to third to get the lead runner, but Davila was faster and all hands were safe. Bases loaded, nobody out, the Padres had to pull everybody in to Little League depth. But Jorge Ravelo found some space with a line drive to left, and this epic battle was over, and the DC's reigned.

A true classic on an unseasonably warm December day. Fantastic competition, great sportsmanship, baseball at it's finest. Congratulations to the DC's on another crown and a magical season, and to the Padres, this was a game it was truly a shame that anyone had to lose.

November 18, 2013 - PIRATES ARE THE CHAMPS!!!
A 6 run first held up for the Bucs as they beat the resurgent Yankees 7-0 behind the pitching of Ernesto Sosa and WIll Schnagl. Congratulations to Eric Rung and the boys for a great fall, flirting with an undefeated season, and ultimately the championship!

July 18, 2013 - DC's Hang On to Win 38+ Championship!!
Going in to Sunday morning's championship series up 1-0 and needing only one more win, John Rios and the DC's had to be feeling confident. Little did they know they would have their championship alright, but it wouldn't be for another 9 hours, when they scraped across a run in the 11th inning, and held on for a classic, epic 12-11 win, and their first championship. The regular season champs had staved off elimination in the first game of the doubleheader to even the series, and oddsmakers had to like the Padres chances going in to a third and final game.

But the DC's were able to defy the odds and hung on for an amazing win, 12-11, in the July heat,after a long season, with their pitching running thin,

Congratulations to both teams on a truly classic championship series! More details and pictures are forthcoming.

January 26, 2013 - 3H Sports a Good Spot for BP!
2750 Taylor Ave Orlando, FL 32806 (407) 228-1234 near the corner of Orange and Michigan, has several tunnels for BP, and is centrally located for all of our members. Great spot! Open six nights!

November 30, 2012 - Sad News
I'm sorry to pass along the news that former Marlin and Indian Colin Brady passed away unexpectedly Wednesday. Details are still sketchy, but Colin was a great friend and teammate, and huge advocate for the league and adult baseball. He promoted the league several times on his many radio shows, and leaves behind many friends in the league who respected him as a ballplayer, but even more as a friend and teammate. He served as the announcer for several All Star games and did an awesome job, and his boys were always present for games and announcing gigs. Gone way too soon, we'll miss you Colin, from all of your Brothers in Baseball.

March 11, 2012 - Hall of Famer Frank Shaw announces retirement
In a week of sad news, here's more, one of the all-timers, Hall of Famer Frank Shaw, announced his retirement effective immediately. Frank has been a stalwart in this league for many, many years, and one of it's great ambassadors. A friendly rival, a great teammate, and that hard slider that just seemed to keep breaking, a really tough AB. Lots of good Frank Shaw stories, members are encouraged to share their favorites, we'll try to compile them and share them with everyone. Good luck, Frankie, don't be a stranger! Here's his note letting me know,

"Hey B Wow I was surprised to learn of one of our umpires passing,..sad.. Dave was a nice down to earth type of guy..he called many of my games..and although he may have missed a few calls (or strikes) i never gave him a hard time thoughts go out to his family.............that being said,....I , with heavy heart, and reluctantly, formally announce my retirement from the Orlando Msbl, "that was a tough sentence to type",...Health issues and an impending heart transplant have relagated me to the sidelines and no longer have the energy to be productive in our league,.. I will miss all the friends I have made,.and maybe a few enemies along the way,lol. but I will forever cherish the many years spent at the fields.. I thank you for all you have done for me,. and will never forget it,... I had a blast....you have my permission to post my email addr.(fstitan9975@yahoo.com) if any of the guys would like to drop me a note or get together that would be great Thanks again Brian for your tireless commitment to our league, I couldnt have played under a better president...humbly yours, Frank Shaw 99"

March 10, 2012 - The loss of a friend
Sad news, we lost a long-time umpire and a great guy, David Mellott last week, David worked our games for many years, and is most famous for being one of the last umps around to work the plate with the outside "balloon" type chest protector. But those who took the time to speak with him knew him to be a steady, friendly, no-nonsense type of guy. We will miss him, and extend sincere condolences to his family.

November 23, 2011 - Tribute to Jeff Lumbert
I received this eloquent tribute to Jeff, and thought I'd share it with everyone.

There aren't many men I've known in my life for whom I can use the word 'admiration'. I've respected many, admired very few. Jeff was one. Coaching our sons (his Mikey and my Cameron) together at Delaney Park LL will be the image of Jeff and his wonderful family I will retain until that day when I can shake his hand again. There is not a single person in my life that bore a greater personal burden more gracefully than Jeff Lumbert. His eulogy for his son Mikey was an act of fatherly love and Christian testimony that astounded me. I have preached at my own family's funerals, and probably will again, but I can tell you with certainty that I have never been more in awe of a man's faith and composure than on that morning at First Baptist when Jeff stood in the pulpit for the second time in 6 months to speak of a departed son and to call upon his listeners to seek the Lord while he may be found. You have a son. I have a son. I cannot humanly fathom what kind of strength that must have required. Jeff would be quick to remind this Christian brother that it wasn't in his own strength that he was able to do such a thing. That is a truth I fully believe, yet it was beyond amazing to see it demonstrated before my very eyes that day. And it gave me great hope that when the need is there for us the Lord will keep his promise to "give us a mouth and wisdom which none shall be able to gainsay nor resist."

I am also grateful that the final time I spoke to Jeff was last fall on a baseball field, Jones 1 to be precise. I think a few people were startled to see the shortstop turn a double play and then hug the guy coming to second. The SS was me and without my glasses I hadn't recognized Jeff playing until he got that close to me. There is something intensely moving for me in that memory. The last time I saw him I hugged him, and the next time I see him I'll hug him.

Our friendship was not as close in the world as I would have liked, we traveled in slightly different circles, but it will be eternal. It may seem a bit silly to a disinterested bystander that a boy's game keeps being mentioned as a central fact of a grown man's life, but you and I know differently, don't we? The game is the tableau, the canvas, the stage, whatever metaphor a better poet than I can summon. Like battle it enables the emotional connections that define friendship, commitment, honor, brotherhood, and the intensity of life. I am indebted to Jeff Lumbert for eternity for his part in all that. And I am indebted to you for the part you play in these things as a builder and keeper of that metaphor.

Deo Vindice,

Bob McMillin

November 14, 2011 - In memorium....we lost a great one...
Sunday morning we lost Jeff Lumbert, played on the great Juice teams of the late 90's, more recently a Blazer, a great ballplayer even better person and father. Jeff was a true believer, and nobody, and I mean nobody had more of a burden to bear, yet he never lost faith in the Lord. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. You can read more at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jefflumbert/journal

August 25, 2010 - Tony and his Pool Fanatics!!!
Blazer manager Tony Caruso hosts a live call in show on WDBO AM-580, 96.5 WHTQ - FM every Saturday at 5 PM. With 1.2 million pools in Florida, who couldn't use a little expertise?! Follow them on FaceBook and Twitter!! Please support your fellow ballplayers whenever you can!!

June 29, 2010 - SHAW IN THE HALL!!
Veteran pitcher Frank Shaw of the Titans was the sole inductee to the Central Florida Men's Senior Baseball League Hall of Fame Sunday. Frank has been an outstanding pitcher in the league for many years. He has managed, pitched and won in tournaments, and has a 2009 Championship with the Titans to his credit. He has battled a heart condition that would have sidelined lesser men. He continues to be effective as an older pitcher in the 28+ division. But most importantly, Frank is a friend to every player in the league, and if you don't know Frank, stick around, you will soon. He is a tireless advocate for our league and for amateur baseball. He engages in good-natured banter with teammates and opponents alike, in person and on GuestBooks league-wide. Many of us saw Frank Jr. grow up at the ballfield, now a college pitcher. If Frank stays healthy, maybe the Shaw boys can join the Medinas as fathers and sons sharing the field. In summation, Frank is everything the league is about, a great sport, a great pitcher and a great teammate. Congratulations Frank, we're proud to welcome you to the Hall of Fame, Class of 2010.