FLORIDA POKERS BASEBALL will be celebrating its 11th season of operation. Under the leadership and direction of Ryan Combs, the staff looks to continue the long lasting Honesty, Loyalty, Respectability and Integrity the Pokers exemplify each and every year. This upcoming 2014 Summer will be a return to prominence on the summer baseball landscape. Committed to the long standing tradition of excellence, Pokers Baseball prides itself on the following:
- Preparing the finest 18 and under players for an opportunity to excel at the collegiate and/or professional levels
- Competing against the very best opponents from around the country
- Teaching young men good Character through baseball
- Help our young men become successful citizens both on and off the field
Two years removed from one of the best seasons in Pokers history. The Pokers 17u successfully assisted in all of its seniors moving on to the collegiate level as well as capturing a Perfect Game Florida State Championship in Ft. Myers, FL. The Pokers and several of its players have already made their collegiate commitment for the upcoming Fall 2017.
Over a period of three (3) months, the 2017 Summer will take some of the finest amateur players from across the nation and prepare them for either collegiate or professional baseball by providing an experience very much like that of a minor league baseball player. With a schedule comprised of 40+ games and tournaments, the idea of being prepared to play everyday, both mentally and physically, will be a life lesson that the players will carry with them beyond their athletic careers.
Of the hundreds of players that have competed with the Pokers, many have earned scholarships and furthered their athletic and academic careers at great programs throughout the country. Some of these finer institutions include: University of Miami (FL), Florida International University, Florida Atlantic University, University of Florida, Florida State University, University of Central Florida, Nova Southeastern University, Auburn University, University of Georgia, Tulane University, Jacksonville University, Oklahoma State University, Air Force Academy, US Naval Academy, Xavier University, Stetson University, Duke University, North Carolina State University, Flagler College, St. Leo University, Kansas University, Rollins College, Broward Community College, Manatee Community College, Barry University, Gulf Coast Community College. Even more impressive is the number of players, who have competed under the Pokers name, who have gone on to play for professional organizations. In the five years since we've taken over control of the organization, 17 players have been drafted in the Major League Baseball Draft or signed professional contacts and are currently working their way up through minor league systems.
Unfortunately, our efforts do come with a costly price tag. As is Pokers tradition, all players are required to contribute towards the expenses that the Club incurs. However, the player’s contributions are never enough. From the cost of uniforms, umpires, and insurance to the very costly expenses of traveling throughout the country, the dollar figure seems to rise year after year. Only through the support of the community through either donations or advertising sponsorships can the Pokers continue to provide this opportunity to the players.
In 2017, we expect to uphold and improve upon the Poker’s long standing tradition of excellence, and prepare our players for life’s journey beyond the halls of high school.
Ryan Combs
Owner
Florida Pokers Baseball