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‘The Classic’ kicks off tourneys after year off
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Aries (March 21-April 19):
The problems of yesterday are melting away, and you’re wondering what you were so concerned about. If you can let go of the direction of your day, you’ll be taken on a more leisurely path and have the opportunity to take in an artful experience.
Taurus (April 20-May 20):
Your friends are bringing you optimism in the form of reassurance, funny stories, gifts or acts of service. Let them take you on a little journey or spend time talking to them on the phone without a time limit. Your energy will be replenished once you’ve spent time with loved ones.
Gemini (May 21-June 20):
By taking the path of least resistance in your career, everything may begin to bloom. It seems you’re beating your head against the wall trying to complete a project. Take a breather, and view this issue from a new perspective. Odds are, it will be no match for your refreshed brain.
Cancer (June 21-July 22):
This will be a highly spiritual day for you, where the material world has less to offer than your inner world. Look into sacred practices that have been calling your name. Try something new. Learn from your inner voice as it pushes you toward this higher purpose.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22):
Wherever the need arises for you today, someone will be there to help. This is all thanks to your kind actions toward others in the past, and even if you forgot about these times, they didn’t. You’re also likely to see returns on good investments that you made.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22):
Your relationships appear smooth now, so there’s no need to disrupt this calming energy with suspicion. Sometimes when people are being nicer to us than usual, we start to look for the negative side rather than accept the gift of kindness. Let doubts exist without letting them take over your mind.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22):
If there were ever a day for indulging in self-care, this is it. Your routine appears less hectic than normal. Pamper yourself, and go the extra mile when it comes to your exercise and beauty habits. You’ll feel better knowing you invested time in yourself and are set for tomorrow.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21):
Imaginative excitement is on the table for you, and you will feel like a kid again, even as you go about your work. Now is also a great time to spend with your children or the younger people in your life — they can help you open yourself up to this freedom of expression if you have been emotionally stuck.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21):
It’s time to take a walk down memory lane, and it’s never looked so beautiful. A family member may also contact you and want to spend time talking about the past. Hearing each other’s voices will cheer you up. Find something positive about your past self, and try incorporating it into your current life.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19):
While communication may not be very clear or fast, you’re receiving good news, and it’s okay if the details trickle in as the day goes on. Impatience will only cause you problems. Paying attention to the world around you will give you a sense of peace.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18):
Expect a little self-esteem boost today, either in your sense of self or in your wallet. You may be afraid of believing in a new, positive situation in your life, but those fears will begin to melt away as soon as you realize that you’ve put in the hard work to get the results you wanted.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20):
This shine is appearing in your social life, your romantic life and in your career — what to do with the spotlight? There’s not much you should do other than what comes naturally. Don’t be scared to speak up with your ideas. Know that success can come easily; you just can’t fight it when it arrives.
Florida League president Stefano Foggi was reminded this week of all that went wrong last year while putting final preparations in place for annual baseball tournaments.
Foggi was at Sanford’s Boombah Sports Complex on March 13, three days before the first pitch was scheduled to be thrown, when news broke that the high school sports season was canceled due to
COVID-19.
“It brought back all sorts of bad memories because I was out there on Friday the 13th when everything was getting shut down,” Foggi said. “I distinctly remember standing there having conversations in different parts of that park about it. Everybody was so disappointed. It was such a depressing time.”
There’s renewed reason for optimism though as sports are in full swing this spring in the state of Florida.
The Florida League High School Invitational returns for a 14th year Monday with “The Classic” at Sanford’s Historic Memorial
Stadium and Boombah Sports Complex. The Florida League hosts additional tournaments at the same locations March 22-26 and March 29-April 2.
“It gives you the feeling that we’re turning the corner a little bit with this thing,” Foggi said of the pandemic. “I’m excited for these teams more than anything, and for the kids to have this kind of experience again.”
The Classic features 10 Orlando-area programs among a field of 17 teams. Pool play is scheduled for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, with the top two teams from each
group advancing to bracket play, which begins Thursday morning. The championship game takes place at 6:45 p.m. Friday at Memorial Stadium.
Winter Springs (6-2) and Olympia (4-4) are grouped with IMG Academy Black (8-2) and Knoxville Christian Academy (0-0) of Tennessee in Pool A. Winter Springs sophomore pitcher Joey Wimpelberg is a UCF commit. Olympia senior catcher Mason Wilson is a Rollins College signee.
Pool B includes West Orange (5-2), Seminole (5-3) and Lake Howell (2-5) alongside Flagler Palm Coast (2-4) and Dunedin (3-4). West Orange, which was 8-1 last spring before the pandemic hit, is led on the mound by Florida commit Will Ross, who has 34 strikeouts and no
earned runs allowed through 19 innings this season.
Stetson signee TJ Melani is the only returning starter on the roster this season for Seminole. Lake Howell is in its first season with head coach Eric Martinez.
Oviedo (5-5) and Orangewood
Christian (5-3) are joined by Delray Beach American Heritage (6-3) and Naples Barron Collier (3-4) in Pool C. Oviedo is hitting .352 as a team under new head coach Andy Lyon. Orangewood senior Lewai Mitchell is batting .571 (16-for-28) with 6 RBIs, 4 doubles and 6 runs scored.
Timber Creek (6-3), Eustis (5-5), Hagerty (1-7) and Tallahassee Florida High (6-1) round out the slate in Pool D. Junior shortstop Nicolas Perez, a Florida State commit, is batting .346 (9-for-26) with a teamhigh 5 RBIs for Timber Creek.
Eustis’ experienced roster features 10 seniors and seven juniors. Hagerty sophomore pitcher and UCF commit Garrett Bauman has struck out 24 batters and allowed just three earned runs in 20 ⅔ innings of work this spring.
Admission to Florida League tournament games is $10 for adults and $5 for students each day. Weeklong tournament passes are $35 for adults and $15 for students. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the gate. Most games will be streamed online. Visit FloridaLeagueTournaments.com for more details.