The Rays have the best record in baseball, and they have been rewarded with more than one All-Star for only the second time in their history. ...more

July 6, 2008

OKEECHOBEE — It took a little longer for the Sebring All-Stars' offense to show up against Avon Park in Sunday's third round of the Dixie 13-year-old boys District 8 tournament at Okeechobee Sports Complex. But it was better late then never, as Mark Greenauer's homer and Justin Long's two-run single gave Sebring a come-from-behind 5-3 win over Avon Park. "We're really struggling with the bats right now," said Sebring coach Cesar Martinez. "But we hung in there and got just enough offense to pull out the win. ...more

June 30, 2008

OKEECHOBEE — It's never easy against Okeechobee. The first-round game between Sebring and Okeechobee in the Dixie 14-year-old boys District 8 tournament was dominated by outstanding pitching and stellar defensive plays by both teams. But in the end, it came down to Okeechobee's Noah Wilcox and his shirt. Wilcox –– or, more correctly –– his shirt was brushed by a pitch from Sebring reliever Zach Osha with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning to force in Justin Morgan for a 2-1 Okeechobee victory. The close call brought an uproar from the Sebring fans and coaches, but the run counted to end the game. ...more

June 30, 2008

OKEECHOBEE — Clewiston's bats were as hot as the weather in Saturday's game against Avon Park in the opening-round of the Dixie 14-year-old boys District 8 tournament at the Okeechobee Sports Complex. Clewiston, which banged out eight hits, was led by third baseman Tyler Yebba, who went 3 for 4 with three RBI and Trey Pruitt, who scored two runs in an 11-3 victory. The win moved Clewiston into a winners' bracket game against Okeechobee on Sunday night, which beat Sebring 2-1 on Saturday night. The loss dropped Avon Park into an elimination game against Sebring on Sunday afternoon. See highlandstoday.com/sports and Tuesday's Highlands Today for complete coverage. Clewiston got rolling early against Avon Park by putting up five runs in the top of the first inning. ...more

June 30, 2008

SEBRING — Cesar Martinez didn't let an error in the outfield linger over his team very long during Monday's practice — as quickly as the play was made, Martinez employed the youngster to run off his mistake. ...more

June 26, 2008

BOSTON A slumping Jason Varitek capped a four-run eighth inning with a go-ahead single, and the Boston Red Sox resumed hitting just in time to beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-4 Tuesday night. ...more

June 25, 2008

Rocco Baldelli's potential journey back to the bigs began with a solid performance in a Florida State League game Monday night at Holman Stadium. ...more

June 17, 2008

When the Rays' 2008 schedule was released last fall, the series that begins tonight was the one that jumped off the page for just about everyone. ...more

June 17, 2008

Ryan Howard homered twice and Jimmy Rollins also connected to back another strong outing by Cole Hamels, helping the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Boston Red Sox 8-2 Monday night in an interleague matchup of division leaders. ...more

June 17, 2008

SEBRING –– Trailing by three runs and down to its last three outs, Sebring showed a lot of heart by exploding for 11 runs en route to a stunning 12-4 win over Lake Placid in Saturday's third round of the Dixie AAA (ages 9-10) District 8 tournament at Max Long Recreational Complex. The win kept Sebring unbeaten in the six-team, double-elimination tournament, and set up a game against once-beaten Avon Park on Sunday afternoon. "That was an unbelievable comeback," said Sebring head coach Bobby Cannon. "To be able to battle back in our last at-bat says a lot about the desire and character of the kids on this team. "We were too aggressive at the plate most of the game, but our pitchers kept us close and we finally got the bats working before it was too late." The disappointing loss knocked Lake Placid into the loser's bracket and set up an elimination game against Okeechobee American on Sunday afternoon. "We played well except for one bad inning," said Lake Placid head coach Mike Warner. "We had Sebring rattled and on the ropes, but we couldn't put them away. ...more

June 15, 2008