FWBL To Launch in 2009

Professional Winter Baseball Coming to Florida

MIAMI, FL – The Florida Winter Baseball League (FWBL), the Sunshine state’s newest professional sports league, has announced that they will kick off their inaugural season in October of 2009.

The FWBL will begin operations as a four team league playing a 60 game schedule through the winter months in various Floridian markets. As a professional winter league, the FWBL will serve as a bridge between one major league season and the next and establish additional opportunities for players to continue perfecting their craft in a competitive atmosphere.

Currently professional baseball players are presented with limited options during the winter months. Whether it is the Arizona Fall League, or other opportunities in countries like Mexico, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic or Colombia, the opportunities are few and far between for the thousands of players in the market for a place to play.

By establishing an additional opportunity in the state of Florida the FWBL will create nearly 100 jobs for affiliated and non-affiliated players alike. The game of baseball is meant to be played on a consistent basis, and once a player is taken out of a routine, it is tough for them to reestablish their form. The FWBL will allow players to continue to enhance their skills during a non-traditional season.

The FWBL will also positively affect current major league teams and their affiliates through creating opportunities for their players to compete for jobs in the spring by producing in the winter. In addition, many major league teams already have established spring training homes throughout the state and will be able to keep a close eye on their investments without overspending on travel and scouting of players in other countries.

Finally and most importantly are the fans. Minor league baseball has already established a successful blue print to follow. The FWBL wants to make an impact in the communities not just with entertainment, but through a league mandated community service program. From camps and clinics, to school visits and speaking engagements, the FWBL wants players to understand the “professional” aspect of being a professional athlete.

The Florida Winter Baseball League, where tomorrow’s stars play today!