Florida BaseballBiz

Mark Corbett sits down with Genelle Garverick to explore the rich sports history of Tampa's West Tampa, Ybor City, and DeSoto Park communities, with a special focus on Genelle's legendary mother, Mochine Mercedes Fernandez. Growing Up in Palmetto Beach, DeSoto Park & Ybor City Genelle attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH), a K-12 Catholic school in Ybor City Began playing city/p...

Episode: The Tampa Baseball Museum with Josh Weaver Hosts: Mark Corbett & Mat Germain Guest: Josh Weaver, Curator of the Tampa Baseball Museum Episode Overview Mark and Mat sit down with returning guest Josh Weaver, curator of the Tampa Baseball Museum, to discuss the museum's history, community outreach, future modernization ideas, and the incredible depth of major league baseball talent...

Interview with Arminda Mata, CEO & President, Tampa Baseball Museum / Ybor Museum Society Host: Mark Corbett Episode Summary Mark sits down with Arminda Mata to explore the deep roots of baseball in Tampa's Ybor City — from the cigar factories of the 1880s to the formation of the first Cigar City League in 1913, and how that history shaped generations of Major League talent. Key Topics Bu...

Wes Singletary talks about growing up in Tampa, Al Lopez, neighborhood ballfields, American Legion Baseball, The Negro Leagues, Red Barber &  Meeting Red Barber Wes shares a memorable story of meeting legendary broadcaster Red Barber while at Florida State Barber’s weekly Friday show with Bob Edwards  on NPR Morning Edition Florida’s First Big League Baseball Players Al Lopez sparked Wes’ rese...

🏙️ Deep Tampa Roots: Jamie shares his family’s history coming from Sicily and Cuba in the early 1900s and their place in Tampa’s rich cultural and baseball heritage. ⚾ A Grandfather’s Impact: Stories of his grandfather Emilio Almeida — a true baseball guru — who taught generations of kids the finer points of the game and inspired a lifelong passion for baseball. 🧢 Little League Champion: How Emi...

Brooke Mrozek, Team Manager of the Florida Bolts Baseball Champions joins Mat Germain & Mark Corbett on Florida BaseballBiz Florida Bolts Organization All-girls baseball organization serving ages 7–18 across Florida Teams compete in national tournaments, including Sparks, Nevada where: 12U team won 1st place (minor division) 16U team finished 2nd place (minor division) Brooke’s daughter served...

Mark welcomes guest Mike Baluja , who Mark calls, Mr. West Tampa” Baluja businessman, songwriter, and baseball historian. Conversation centers on the Little League World Series and the rich baseball history of West Tampa . The Alessi Bakers baseball team & Joe Magadan The rise and changes of West Tampa Little League since the 1960s. Community roots in immigrant cigar families and neighborhood...

Rick Vaughn’s book "Tampa Spring Training Tales," brings the past to life  & opens up a wealth of enjoyable stories including the Chicago Cubs, Tampa Smokers, Reds, White Sox & Red Sox @ historic Plant & Al Lopez Fields Ted Williams, Wade Boggs, Pete Rose and Al Lopez are just a few of the people we discuss this week on Florida BaseballBiz with Rick. “Chubby” Cubs owner is en...

Tony Ciccarello, a West Tampa native with deep baseball roots, talks about the role of baseball in the West Tampa community, where it’s woven into the local culture and heritage. Excitement of Baseball in Tampa with the Rays Growing Up with Baseball : baseball was integral to his upbringing, with influences from his father and community leaders "Baseball Was My Life" Book Discussion : Ma...

Mark introduces Tony Saladino Jr an educator, historian, baseball enthusiast, and advocate of the game Tony is highly respected in Tampa's baseball community and known for his contributions, including the Tony Saladino Senior Tournament. Tony's Baseball Beginnings: Tony fell in love with baseball in Ybor City, inspired by Al Lopez.  He played in a recreational league before Little League...

Buddy Baseball, Executive Director, Russ Oberbroeckling, shares the history & joyful stories of the Buddy Baseball League, a league for children with special needs Dave Wills' contributions to Buddy Baseball A non-competitive, recreational sport experience Players age range: 8-22, Buddies age range: 10-22 Establishment of Buddy Baseball  16 years of Buddy Baseball in Temple Terrace Curren...

Florida Baseball State Champs Tampa Jesuit Coach Miguel Menendez Grew up in Key West. First introduction to baseball through his grandfather and father. Grandfather coached Little League and had the first batting cage and pitching machine on the island. Playing and Coaching Career in Key West Played on successful high school teams, winning a state championship in his senior year.  Attended Univers...

Florida Bolts 5 teams give young girls from 8 to 18 the opportunity to play in all girl baseball tournaments. Brooke & Lily Greene share their stories about their team and more possibilities for women in the game like the BFA Nationals.    Brooke and Lily Greene, who are involved with the Florida Bolts girls' baseball organization, discussing their passion for women and girls' baseba...

Author, Rick Vaughn, " 100 years of Baseball on St. Petersburg's Waterfront. How the Game Helped Shape a City " discusses Al Lang & the evolution of MLB Spring Training in St. Pete. Rick’s front office career spans the Orioles, Redskins & Vice President of Communications with the Tampa Bay Rays. #RaysUp Baltimore, rolling out Camden Yards  Rick's book of baseball storie...

Josh Weaver, Managing Coordinator for the Tampa Bay Museum & Fan Host with the Tampa Bay Rays shares his Opening Day at the Trop and a visit to the Tampa Baseball Museum Opening Day with the Tampa Bay Rays  Start with dropping the banner for the 2022 AL Wild Card  “Big Game” James Shields – throwing out the opening pitch  Shields, Carl Crawford & Joe Maddon were pivotal to the franchise tu...