SWFL Baseball

The mission of Southwest Florida Baseball is to provide high school players with a first class baseball experience and an opportunity to obtain a college scholarship. We want to develop the players on the field and assist them in becoming quality young men. John Cedarburg, Dave Fore, and Bill Skarbek are the original founders and have set up SWFL as a not for profit organization. Our board member advisory staff includes a number of exceptional people with solid baseball backgrounds; Russ Schropp, Tom LoSauro, Glen Carnes, Pete Saez and Roger Boyd all have extensive backgrounds with youth baseball. SWFL Baseball assists with the operation of many baseball events and teams in the area. The Southwest Florida Fall Showcase, the SWFL Fall and Summer Invitationals, the SWFL Summer League and 3 travel teams are all a part of the Southwest Florida Baseball program.

The SWFL travel teams have been on the move since 1993 showcasing players for college recruiters and professional scouts alike. The Southwest Florida Baseball Wood Bat League got its start in 1998 and at the time it was one of a few High School Wood Bat Leagues in the United States. The inaugural season started with a Colorado Rockies work out, a draft of the players by coaches in the league and a desire to put wood bats in high school player’s hands again. There have been changes but to no surprise, the league has been a tremendous success. High School players enjoy hitting with the wood bat and pitchers have enjoyed the rewards of being able to pitch inside and use their defense.

Since the founding of Southwest Florida Baseball Inc, SWFL has expanded its programs and prestige around the state and country. We feature 3 teams in the 16U, 17U and 18U classes and are a part of the newly formed Florida Prospects Showcase League. All teams will attend 4-6 weekend events playing against the very best from around the state. The SWFL traveling teams have garnered national recognition by winning nine States, National or World Championships. In addition, Bobby Borchering - 2008 and Alex Santana - 2009 have had the honor of being selected by the USA Junior Olympic committee to participate in their trials.

SWFL traveling teams and the Wood bat League have assisted 149 players in obtaining a college baseball experience over the years including 10 players in 2009. 37 alumni have played or are playing professionally. Former SWFL players Jimmy Miller and Chris Waters made their Major League debuts in the summer of 08’, they joined Tommy Watkins, Prince Fielder, John Huber, Jesse Litsch and Chris Resop as former SWFL players who had made “the Show.” Congratulations to Bobby Borchering for being the 1^st pick, 16^th overall of the Arizona Diamondbacks, David Holmberg – Chicago (2), Michael Zunino – Oakland (29), Patrick Schuster – Arizona (13), Ryan “Scooter” Gennett – Milwaukee (16), Nick Lockwood – Minnesota (9), Tyler Bighames – St. Louis (31) and Ryan Sadler – Minnesota (39) for being drafted in the 2009 Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft. Congratulations and good luck to those young men who will now embark upon the next portion of their baseball careers whether it is in college or in professional baseball.

We thank you for your interest in Southwest Florida Baseball.