COOL GAMES
11/3/2009 8:57:07 AM by Jillian Lobato
It’s hard to believe that the Opening Day for the Miami Diamantes’ inaugural season is finally here, Friday night, October 30, 2009 at the Florida International University baseball stadium, where the home team will take on the Seminole County Naturals. The Miami Diamantes franchise is one of four teams in the new Florida Winter Baseball League, The Sunshine State’s newest professional sports league.
As the only true winter baseball league in the country, the Florida Winter Baseball League (FWBL) provides a high visibility showcase for rookie level and Single A-level professional baseball players. In addition, team managers and coaches are all affiliated with Major League Baseball. Not only do the players get to play a sixty-game schedule to sharpen their skills in front of baseball’s pro scouts and fans, but the Miami Diamantes get to bring thirty home games to the South Florida market. These thirty family fun-filled games are complete with pie eating contests, dizzy bat races, post game player autograph sessions for kids, fireworks and live bands. With tickets ranging from just $3 for kids, $5 for general admission, and $10 for reserve box seats, the prices are a bargain. You could take a family of five out for an entire evening and still have money in your pocket when you come home. Also, the kids can meet all the future stars up close and personal.
After sprinkling in a few famous names like Ken Griffey Sr., Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez and George Foster, and the FWBL started to really shine. Griffey, as FWBL League Commissioner, El Duque as minority owner, and Foster as the team manager of the Lake County Black Bears bring a total of nine World Series rings to the organization along with plenty of credibility. With these three wise men leading the way, the Florida Winter Baseball League will showcase tomorrow’s stars today!
Rich Lopez, the general manager of the
Miami Diamantes is the driving force behind the Magic City team. Having spent countless hours hustling for the Miami Heat in his prior career, Lopez came to the organization in February of this year, pronouncing that he was going to put his personal stamp on the team. And that he did, using his high passion and boundless energy to help shape the Miami Diamantes from a diamond in the rough to a polished gem. In the process, he has turned the FIU baseball stadium into the destination point for local sports fans all winter long. “After being in sports for the past 12 yrs, the most incredible thing that I’m doing here is giving a father and son or daughter an opportunity to create a memory of a lifetime at a very affordable price,” says Lopez. “After a game of watching baseball, they could go down and meet a player who could become a star. It’s a memory that the kid will have for the rest of their lives. I remember when my dad took me to my first baseball game, and I’ll never forget it.” With the perfect weather, snowbirds in town and the holiday season right around the corner, the Diamantes are out to prove that baseball in the Florida winter is a winning formula. So if you’re looking to be entertained without spending a fortune, spend a cool evening with the Miami Diamantes with your family and friends.
Christina Hernandez, otherwise known as the “calm before the storm,” is a Miami native who works her daily magic behind the scenes helping the League owner Mickey Filippucci make things happen. Working evenings and weekends around her day job, Christina has watched the Winter League hatch from just a wild idea to the real deal. “Her positive influence, professionalism and back office expertise make her a natural in her role as a top lieutenant in the Diamantes organization,” says Filippucci. “Although we are talking about baseball, it’s awfully nice to have that lady’s touch to smooth out the wrinkles.”
The business community has already taken
notice, as the Diamantes have recruited over one hundred business partnerships including Leon Medical Centers as their title sponsor, Newport Beachside Hotel and Resort, Boost Mobile, Diamonette Party Rental, Sedano’s Supermarkets, Actualidad 1020 AM and Yard House, to name a few. The Diamantes have also sponsored a T-Ball team for 4-5 year olds who have baseball dreams of their own. With almost 38,000 FIU commuter students, an alumni association approaching 120,000 and a vibrant South Florida fan base, there’s a great reason to see the opportunity to tap into their baseball passion at the perfect time of the year, the fourth quarter holiday season.
To purchase your tickets online, visit MiamiDiamantes.com or stop by the Miami Diamantes home office located on 10760 SW 24th Street, right across the street from Florida International University on Coral Way. To learn more about the Florida Winter Baseball League, visit FWBL.com to read all about the league whose slogan shouts, “Where tomorrow’s stars play today!”
As the only true winter baseball league in the country, the Florida Winter Baseball League (FWBL) provides a high visibility showcase for rookie level and Single A-level professional baseball players. In addition, team managers and coaches are all affiliated with Major League Baseball. Not only do the players get to play a sixty-game schedule to sharpen their skills in front of baseball’s pro scouts and fans, but the Miami Diamantes get to bring thirty home games to the South Florida market. These thirty family fun-filled games are complete with pie eating contests, dizzy bat races, post game player autograph sessions for kids, fireworks and live bands. With tickets ranging from just $3 for kids, $5 for general admission, and $10 for reserve box seats, the prices are a bargain. You could take a family of five out for an entire evening and still have money in your pocket when you come home. Also, the kids can meet all the future stars up close and personal.
After sprinkling in a few famous names like Ken Griffey Sr., Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez and George Foster, and the FWBL started to really shine. Griffey, as FWBL League Commissioner, El Duque as minority owner, and Foster as the team manager of the Lake County Black Bears bring a total of nine World Series rings to the organization along with plenty of credibility. With these three wise men leading the way, the Florida Winter Baseball League will showcase tomorrow’s stars today!
Rich Lopez, the general manager of the
Christina Hernandez, otherwise known as the “calm before the storm,” is a Miami native who works her daily magic behind the scenes helping the League owner Mickey Filippucci make things happen. Working evenings and weekends around her day job, Christina has watched the Winter League hatch from just a wild idea to the real deal. “Her positive influence, professionalism and back office expertise make her a natural in her role as a top lieutenant in the Diamantes organization,” says Filippucci. “Although we are talking about baseball, it’s awfully nice to have that lady’s touch to smooth out the wrinkles.”
The business community has already taken
To purchase your tickets online, visit MiamiDiamantes.com or stop by the Miami Diamantes home office located on 10760 SW 24th Street, right across the street from Florida International University on Coral Way. To learn more about the Florida Winter Baseball League, visit FWBL.com to read all about the league whose slogan shouts, “Where tomorrow’s stars play today!”