NORTH PORT (SNN-TV) – Collegiate summer league baseball continues to grow around the country, and a fledgling league, in its first year on the Suncoast, is attracting elite level college talent, while also calling on the help of big-league veterans.
“If they’ve got a skill, if they’ve got a tool, if they have the love and the drive for the game and they desire to try and get better every single day, this is the league they need to be.” – Tim Redding, Sarasota Sawx Manager
The league that former MLB pitcher Tim Redding is speaking of is the Gulf Shores Collegiate League. Redding is the manager of the Sarasota Sawx, one of five league teams, which also includes the Sarasota Tigers, Bradenton Mafia, Florida International Baseball Academy, and Category 5.
Having broken away from the Florida Gulf Coast League, the GSCL is in its first year with games being played on the Atlanta Braves practice fields at CoolToday Park in North Port.
Not only are their stars on the field, but also stars at the helm of each team. With the likes of Redding, former MLB Manager Rick Patterson, and baseball lifer, Pete Rose Jr., the players are receiving an abundance of knowledge from the game’s best.
“Teach every day. That’s the most important thing. With all these coaches that we have here, what they have is tremendous. This is what we’re trying to relay to them.” – Rick Patterson, Category 5 Manager
“I played for 21 years and I managed for, maybe, five or six. It’s just giving back to the game, if I can help these kids that’s what the goal is here.” – Pete Rose Jr., Category 5 Assistant Coach
While there are players participating in this league from all around the country, some Suncoast stars are taking part as well. Bradenton Mafia infielder, St. Pete College freshman and Cardinal Mooney graduate Paddy Hebda is taking in this experience and soaking up the coaching for what it’s worth.
“[It’s] Definitely something you don’t want to take for granted. These [coaches] guys know what they’re talking about. Whenever they’re talking, we listen.” – Paddy Hebda, Bradenton Mafia Infielder
With top-notch facilities, elite level coaching and unmatched competition, the players can’t ask for a better opportunity.
League co-owner, Mafia manager and former big-league pitcher Damian Moss help facilitate the working relationship with the Braves, given his time spent in the organization. Moss says while they are using this opportunity to grow the players within the game, they’re also hoping to aid them beyond what the sport has to offer.
“We want them to be better. We want them to be better baseball players. We want them to be better human beings. That’s big for us. One day baseball’s going to be done. We want these guys to be leaders in their household. You get around veteran big leaguers that were taught by old school baseball players they’re going to learn something.” – Damian Moss, GSCL Co-founder & Mafia Manager
If you want to check out the action in North Port, games take place every weekday at 9am. Also, mark your calendars for the Gulf Shores Collegiate League All-Star Game on Saturday, July 1st, taking place on the main field at Cool Today Park.
