PPOKERS BASEBALL, founded in 1990 by Coach Mike Roberts, will be celebrating its 20th season of operations. Under the direction of Larry Collins for the 5th straight season, the staff look to continue the long lasting Honesty, Loyalty, Respectability and Integrity the Pokers exemplify each and every year. This upcoming 2009 Fall/ 2010 Summer will prove to be as challenging and rewarding of any of the past seasons. 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 level
• Competing against the very best opponents from around the country
• Teaching young men good Character through baseball
• help our young men become good citizens both on and off the field of play

2009/10 will mark a special year in Pokers history.

• This is the senior year of the Coach Pete Colabella's 2007 Junior Olympic Champions
• All '07 JO Champions playing Pokers Baseball in '09 are already committed to college
  • Casey Johnston OF/RHP Anderson Univ (SC)
  • Adam Kam (1B/RHP) Broward CC (FL)
  • Nick Crucet (2B) Columbia Univ (NY)
  • Willie Medina (SS) Seminole CC (FL)
  • Stephen Colangelo (RHP) Air Force Academy (CO)
• The retirement of Coach Pete Colabella - You will be missed...!
• The return of Coach Chris Keighley and Coach Danny Baugh

2009 proved to be one of the best seasons in Pokers history. The Pokers 18u successfully assisted in all of its seniors moving on to the collegiate level as well as capturing a Perfect Game Tournament Championship in Ft. Myers, FL. The Pokers and several of its players have already made their collegiate commitment for the upcoming Fall 2010. The Pokers 16u continued solid tradition by advancing to the round of 16 at the USA Junior Olympics.

Over a period of three (3) months, the 2010 Summer will take the 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.

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 2010, 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.


Stu Starr
Co-Owner
Florida Pokers Baseball