Florida Winter League

[Hawk87]

So....a pretty interesting new indy endeavor is upon us. Opening night was had in the FWBL, and it's a cool league because it mixes indy and affiliated players.

They had some really nice websites for their teams, but I surfed them all tonight and couldn't find a peep of news about tonight's results ...(kinda defeats the purpose of a good site).

The league is lengthy...I think something around 60 games. I hope it does well. I follow the GBL, and I recognize some names on the rosters.

[GoCyclones!]

It's funny, I was wondering the same thing. No mention whatsoever, no box score. This is really interesting situation here. A winter baseball league with good talent should be successful. There was even talk of them one day playing in the Caribbean Series. It's just Floridians are so apathetic about pro sports, I wonder how well the league will do. I'm going to go down and will check out a couple games next week. I'll report any news here. I'd like to see it last.

[GoCyclones!]

Went to see the Seminole County Naturals play. Nice old ballpark. Good talent. Every player on both teams, except for two guys straight from college, played pro ball in 2009, independent and affiliated. Quite a few Can-am and Frontier guys. I counted about 65 fans in the stands for the game. It could be lack of promotion. There's little mention of the league in the Orlando area, where three of the four teams are located. I'd love to see the league succeed but they've got to spread the word! There's talent and they have the weather - game time temp was a pleasant 75. Definitely worth checking out!

[GoCyclones!]

Just wanted to post and show some love for the FWBL. I recommend all to check out this league that no one knows about. They need to promote this bad boy. No mention of it ANYWHERE in Central Florida. Nothing at all in the local papers. I saw the Lake County Black Bears play in Leesburg. With a few retirement communities close by, the summer wood bat league team in Leesburg sells out nearly every game I was told, yet not much of a crowd here. During a rain delay I even got to talk to George Foster and Ken Griffey Sr. in the stands. Good entertainment for a middle-of-nowhere town. After the game they allow fans on the field to meet the players. I hope the league lasts but they've got to spread the word!

[GoCyclones!]

Wow, man! WTF! So the FWBL didn't survive its first season and suspended operations just a quarter of the way through its first season. Seems like poor planning and definitely lack of promotion. I hope it is revived some day. It is a nice alternative to playing ball in the Caribbean in the winter.

[missycharm]

It's funny, I was wondering the same thing. No mention whatsoever, no box score. This is really interesting situation here. A winter baseball league with good talent should be successful. There was even talk of them one day playing in the Caribbean Series. It's just Floridians are so apathetic about pro sports, I wonder how well the league will do. I'm going to go down and will check out a couple games next week. I'll report any news here. I'd like to see it last.

could not have said it better my self

[Jack Straw]

[FONT="Arial Black"]The plan to play winter ball in Florida is a good concept. There are numerous facilitys to work in, the weather is good, and many baseball people make their home there. When you take it from the drawing board to the field, you have to be realistic. You can not start a season without your funding in place. The idea that you can use ticket revenue to cover the payroll and bills is absurd. But to not be able to last 2 weeks is either idiotic, or the result of some kind of less than ethical business paractices. This debacle was brought to you by the GSB, the same scholars who failed with the SCL. ALl of the players, coaches,checks bounced. The umpires payroll is almost 50% short. Its a good bet all of the team staffs did too. [/F

[Hawk87]

I recognized a handful of names from GBL rosters. Obviously, whomever jump-started this didn't actually have the money. No way the FWBL could make a 2nd attempt next year it seems. Arizona Winter League in Yuma continues to be the most stable, they'll be doing their fourth year in 2010.

[Jack Straw]

I was refering to the Global Scouting Bureau, not the Golden Lg

[GoCyclones!]

Agreed, this was definitely poor planning. How can a league fold after just two weeks? It's as if they felt they didn't have to market and people would see the lights on and just come to the park. I'd love to see it start up again, as I think they had good facilities in good markets with good talent. George Foster who started the successful NECBL I believe was behind this. But who the hell was running the show?