The Florida Pokers 11u Team won their Fourth overall Championship on Sunday, completing a 3-0 Tournament run by defeating the West Boca Panthers, Treasure Coast Crusaders, and the Palm Beach Gardens Thunder in their Championship Game on Sunday.  The Pokers first game featured outstanding pitching performances from Nick Anello and Trevor Kole, staunch defensive efforts from Keanu Torres, Tim Manning, (Catcher) Logan Rubin, and a key double by Mike Pratt.  The Semi-Finals game showcased an outstanding 2-Hit, Shutout pitching performance by J.J. Toler as he went 5 2/3 innings on 65-pitches.  Yet Toler credited his Catcher (Sawyer Feller) with making several decisive plays throughout the game and a second inning double play made by Richie Pena, which allowed Toler to escape the inning on 4-pitches, and preserve his shutout performance. The Pokers offense played some small-ball with aggressive base running to force runs off the Crusaders and create a 5-0 lead with 1-out remaining in the final inning, when Toler departed the game to an ovation by both Teams' Fans.  Though the Crusaders played an outstanding game, it was the Pokers patience at the plate that led to stolen bases and the occasional runs, coupled with J.J. Toler, Tim Manning and Chris Satcher’s bats that provided the decisive hits which ultimately decided this game’s outcome, with doubles down the line and deep drives that were only a few feet from going over the extended netting at Lantana’s Park.  The Championship Game featured the bat and arm of Mike Pratt as the Pokers clung to a slim 2-0 lead coming into the Fourth inning, but once the Thunder’s starting pitcher exited the game due to the pitch count limit, the Pokers offense opened up and featured some new and usual characters who provided the firepower.  Jet Lica capitalized for 2 hits along with line drives to the fence by Trevor Kole, Chris Satcher, and timely hits by Colin Flynn as well.   Though the Pokers played in both the South and Palm Beach Divisions throughout the Season, they wanted to compete against different competition in the playoffs for the Fall 2012 Season and according to Manager John Calabrese and Coaches Toler and Satcher, this Division was “As Advertised”.  Calabrese went on to note that the brand of baseball played in Palm Beach is every bit as competitive and intense as that played in the South Division, and the Pokers were very proud to represent the Palm Beach Division as its Champions!

Coaches Mark Toler, Chris Satcher, and Steve Lica commented that the Florida Premier Baseball League (with Gaspar Palmer, John Valeo, and Jeff Montpeit) represented the very best of Youth Baseball in the country and the national ranking for many of the teams in each division reflect that fact!   Congratulations and Many Thanks to all the hard-working and dedicated people who create such a tremendous opportunity for these youngsters in our state!  Finally, congratulations to the Florida Pokers 11U Players, Coaches, and committed Parents that made this season an outstanding success for all involved! 

May everyone have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year Holiday Season…We hope to see you all on the Diamond again next season…Job Well Done and GO POKERS!!