Spring Training

Grapefruit League Preview: Phillies vs. Dominican Republic

Cole Hamels gets the start for the Phillies when they play the Dominican Republic at 1:05 p.m. Tuesday at Bright House Field.

Cole Hamels gets a tune up against the Dominican Republic Tuesday at Bright House Field. Jonathan Papelbon, Ethan Martin and Jonathan Pettibone are also expected to pitch, according to mlb.com. The Dominican Republic team starts World Baseball Classic play with a game against Venezuela Thursday. Tampa Bay Rays closer Fernando Rodney, Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano and Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz are on the Dominican Republic team.  Phillies vs. Dominican Republican Starters: Cole Hamels, tba When: 1:05 p.m. Tuesday, March 5 Where: Bright House Field, 601 N Old Coachman Road Sign up for the free Clearwater Patch email newsletter to stay connected to your community. Here is a list of the spring training games planned for Bright …

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Spring Training

Philadelphia Phillies Spring Training Tickets On Sale Today

Phillies spring training three-game ticket packs go on sale Dec. 12. Single game ticket sales start Jan. 10. The team plays 17 games in Clearwater this spring.

The Philadelphia Phillies don't squeeze into another Grapefruit League season until February, but fans can get their baseball fix as spring training tickets go on sale Wednesday, Dec. 12. The Phillies play 17 games at Bright House Field in Clearwater, starting the exhibition season with a game against the Houston Astros on Feb. 23. The schedule also features two homes games against the Tampa Bay Rays, the New York Yankees and the Atlanta Braves. The Phillies also play the Boston Red Sox, Washington Nationals and Toronto Blue Jays. Pitchers and catchers report to Clearwater on Feb. 12. The full squad starts to practice Feb. 15. Spring training three-game ticket packs go on sale Dec. 12. Single game ticket sales start Jan. 10. Tickets are …

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Deaf Man Seeks 12th Presidential Autograph on Baseball

President Herbert Hoover was the first to sign Tom Cooney's baseball. The Clearwater resident is hoping President Barack Obama will be next.

If you've ever doubted your ability to accomplish something, just spend a few minutes with Tom Cooney, 77, and you'll be inspired. Cooney, who lived for more than 30 years in Palm Harbor before moving to Clearwater, has been deaf since he was an infant. But his disability has not stopped him from making his dreams become a reality.  Cooney has performed the National Anthem in sign language at the Super Bowl. He's met seven presidents. He's been the recipient of the national Thousand Points of Light award and Florida's Points of Light award for his service to the community. And along the way, he's volunteered his time to help more than one million kids learn sign language. Cooney also owns a baseball that his family members hope might …

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Five Questions With Former CCC Baseball Star Jeff Campbell

Clearwater Central Catholic grad Jeffrey Campbell won numerous awards and accolades following his first year at the University of North Dakota.

Jeffrey Campbell, a Clearwater Central Catholic product who earned an athletic scholarship to the University of North Dakota following his senior season with the Marauders, recently completed a spectacular freshman season with the Fighting Sioux.  Campbell, a 6-foot-4, 230-pound. first baseman/pitcher, was named to Collegiate Baseball’s Freshman All American team following a season in which he hit .326 with a team-leading 12 home runs and 47 RBIs. He also hit 14 doubles and two triples, won four games as a pitcher, and was the only Fighting Sioux player to start all 56 of the team's games.  In addition to becoming the first North Dakota baseball player to be named to a Division I All American team, Campbell was named the Great West …

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Letter to the Editor: Broadcaster Issues Plea to Save Baseball

"We allow some of the most talented baseball players in the world to play in empty stadiums night, after night, after night. Let’s do something to change that."

The City of Dunedin has a problem. The city of Tampa has a problem. The cities of Clearwater, and St. Petersburg, have a problem.  Pinellas County, Hillsborough County and counties across and the state of Florida have a problem so grave and, yet, so easy to fix it ought to be addressed here and now. We, as a group, are not doing our jobs, and supporting the great game of baseball.  After the buzz of Spring Training dies down, and the hot summer months descend upon us, we allow some of the most talented baseball players in the world to play in empty stadiums night, after night, after night.  Let’s do something to change that. Tickets to Florida State League games can be had across the league for $5 to $10 on a nightly basis, and you can …

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Spring Training

Clearwater Spring Training Guide

It’s that time of year again! Clearwater Patch tells you everything you need to know about spring training for the Philadelphia Phillies and the Grapefruit League.

For hardcore baseball fans and lovers of gorgeous weather, there’s no sweeter phrase than “pitchers and catchers report.”  The Philadelphia Phillies officially kicked off their 2012 spring campaign on Saturday, when pitchers and catchers reported to Bright House Field. The rest of the position players have until Thursday to check in.  As we count the days until the first game, Patch presents a fan’s guide to Phillies spring training.  What do I need to know about Bright House Field?  The Phillies home ballpark is located at 601 Old Coachman Road.  Bright House Field is located near U.S. 19 and Gulf to Bay Boulevard (State Road 60), making it easy to get anywhere in the Tampa Bay area, including Clearwater Beach and Tampa International …

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Hitting Academy Helps Kids Excel in Baseball and Life

The Clearwater baseball instructional facility has seen more than 1,400 students pass through its doors since opening in 2007.

Rob Ciaravino knew from the moment he graduated from Seminole High School that he wanted to be a baseball instructor. The owner of the Hitting Academy, a 12,400 sq. ft. facility located just north of the corner of US 19 North and Sunset Point Road, was giving batting lessons to area kids in his parent’s garage at the age of 19. He even told his college coach that he was “there to learn how to be a coach” and not necessarily to excel as a player. “I knew I wanted to coach baseball for the rest of my life,” Ciaravino said. After being the head baseball coach at Countryside High for four years and conducting private lessons, Ciaravino, a Clearwater resident and married father of four, opened the Hitting Academy in 2007, and he’s been …

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Clearwater All Star Little Leaguers Win District Championship, 5-4, Over Palm Harbor

It took extra innings, but Clearwater prevailed thanks to another come from behind win.

The Clearwater 10/11-year-old All Stars had won five games in the last three weeks en route to the District 12 championship game, and three of those victories were of the come-from-behind variety. Monday night against Palm Harbor, things were no different. Clearwater rallied to score the tying run in the top of the sixth inning on a three base error, then plated the winning run after loading the bases in the top of the seventh to earn an emotional 5-4 victory. “Our motto is never say die. These kids lived it tonight,” Clearwater manager Sean Cordner-James said after the game.  “They keep fighting till the bitter end.” Early on, it didn’t appear as if a comeback would be necessary. Clearwater took a 3-0 lead in the first inning, and …

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Threshers Florida State League Season Home Opener is Today

The Phillies’ Class A affiliate looks to be improved on the field and just as exciting in the stands.

The good news for fans of the Threshers is that a slew of promising young players who led the South Atlantic League Lakewood BlueClaws to a division title in 2010 are moving up to Clearwater this season. The better news could be the promotions and specials the team will run this year, which include giving away a car and hosting “the best happy hour in Tampa Bay." It all depends on priorities, but it all comes under the heading of having a good time at the ballpark. And when attending a Threshers game, most people are going to have a good time, one way or another. For those who prefer the action on the field, the team looks to improve from last season in which they went 67-72 and posted winning months in April, May and August before …

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Athlete of the Week: Kasey Coffin

Clearwater High's two sport athlete adapts quickly to changing sports

Many high schoolers are satisfied playing one sport at the varsity level.  Juggling schoolwork, homework, and studying with practice and ballgames can be tough on even the most dedicated student athlete. So imagine how difficult it must be to play two varsity sports? That’s exactly the situation Clearwater High's Kasey Coffin faces as the senior transitions from being a guard on the Tornadoes basketball team to an infielder/pitcher on the baseball team. With the basketball season ending a few weeks ago and the baseball season already in full swing, the two sport star has had little time to adjust to the change. “It’s a little difficult, but if you’re prepared and you’re mentally set, you’re fine,” Coffin admitted recently after a victory …

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