Clermont Mavericks Cease Operations

[necblfan]

Just found this article today. Tough hit for the FCSL, as the Mavericks participated in the title game at Tropicana Field 2 years in a row, winning it in 2008. Below is a link to Frank Jolley's article.

www.dailycommercial.com/sports/story/1021column

[Andrew]

To bad for the city and the league. I've been told by a few people involved with Baseball America and Perfect Game that the Florida Collegiate League is in serious trouble. They said that all the top tier local kids play in other leagues. The FCSL is left with small school players and JUCO guys.

[dba]

Are there any plans for expansion in the FCSL?

[coachsavage]

Wow, there are a few good baseball colleges down in Florida, I think the league needs help and more teams.

[dba]

I'm only guessing here, but I would assume the weather also plays a factor into this. I know they don't draw many fans in the FCSL.

[coachsavage]

I actually think that they would have done better if they charged admission. People would have thought they must be worth going to see if it cost $5-$7 to go. "It can't be much of a league if it's free" people would have thought. It's like a classified ad in the newspaper, if someone is giving a piece of furniture away...is it any good? probably not.

Up here in Ontario, we have a Junior hockey league (OHL) where people pay up to $20 to watch their team, most games average around 2,000 people. There is no reason why people can't spend even $10 to watch their collegiate summer baseball team.

[Andrew]

You've hit on something very interesting here Coach. From what I've heard, I don't think anything could have saved the Mavs, but I wonder if they would have staved off being shut down longer by charging.

[cbbfan]

Sorry to hear that the team is no longer operating.

[mark]

it seems they are restarting in Orlando, keeping the Mavericks' name.

summercollegeleagues.com/new-team-joins-florida-collegiate-summer-league/