Circle February 21 on your calendar. That’s when Atlanta hits the field for their first Grapefruit League game, squaring off against the Rays over in Port Charlotte. The Braves’ training facility sits in the heart of Wellen Park, North Port, and it’s buzzing with energy.

There’s more to look forward to: big spring matchups against the Twins on February 22, and the Pirates on February 25 and March 20. Plus, the team’s got a special exhibition lined up—they’ll take on Team Colombia in a World Baseball Classic warmup on March 4.

To mark their return, the Braves are pulling out all the stops with Welcome Week at CoolToday Park. They’ve got an Open House and Party on the Plaza coming up February 14, a Cosmic Beer Run the next day, and then the Braves Country Block Party on February 16. Fans can catch open workouts, happy hours, and live music all week, leading up to the home opener against the Twins on February 22. That night brings a pregame ceremony and a concert after the final out. It’s shaping up to be a great start to the season.

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“Our league has a great reputation throughout the Suncoast”, stated Scott Maresh, league commissioner. “We draw players from Nokomis down through Punta Gorda.” Most players are from Englewood and Port Charlotte, with increasing numbers from the Wellen Park area. The typical new player hasn’t played organized softball in a while but quickly gets back in the swing of things with some practice.

The league holds the primary entry draft during the first week of January to accommodate snowbirds’ arrival, and a supplemental secondary draft occurs after teams complete their first seven games. This year, Rafael Gonzalez was the first player taken in the Gold division draft by The End Zone Sports Bar. Burt Rood was the first player taken in the Silver division by Porter Contracting.

Games have been underway for a few weeks, despite the cold weather, with one third of the season in the books. The Gold division has seen several big bat additions to the rosters, with 29 home runs hit at the seven-game mark. 

“We typically see one, maybe two big hitters in the draft, but this year there are five draftees that have joined the home run– ‘dingers’ club. I expect a few more may join,” per Rudy Davis, draft coordinator. Likewise, the Bronze division has hit 9 home runs in just 5 games. Marsh thinks it’s going to be one of the best years yet competition-wise.

The league is open to all men 60 years of age and older, and each team plays 21 or more games from early January through March. “We also have a Spring and Fall season, and occasionally a Summer season as well,” said Maresh. For more information about the league and how to register to join, visit the league’s website at www.englewoodseniorsoftball.weebly.com.

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Officers attempted to stop the maroon pickup near U.S. 41 and Alligator Road in Venice. The driver struck a North Port Police vehicle, flipping it and injuring an officer’s shoulder. 

Witnesses reported seeing a helicopter following the suspect vehicle “the whole time” as it traveled miles along the Legacy Trail. One bicyclist on the trail “luckily got out of the way,” a social media post read. The truck, reportedly traveling without headlights, ran red lights, crossed medians, and at one point drove on the wrong side of the road.

Authorities deployed stop sticks near Central Sarasota Parkway and Macintosh Road, flattening all four tires. The suspect then fled on foot near McIntosh Road and Central Sarasota Parkway, where officers detained him shortly after.

Police recovered an AR-15 rifle inside the truck, which investigators said was registered to an individual currently incarcerated. The vehicle itself was not registered to the suspect.

Booking records show Colton Frank Corpus, 25, of Englewood, was arrested by the North Port Police Department. He faces multiple charges including fleeing and eluding police, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, reckless driving, driving while license suspended, failure to carry vehicle insurance, DUI, and refusal to submit to DUI testing. He remains in custody without bond at the Sarasota County Jail. An arraignment is set for December 5.

The North Port Police Department and Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office both assisted in the incident, which remains under investigation.

This is a breaking story and will be updated as information is made available.

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Englewood, FL – The Lemon Bay High School varsity volleyball team secured a hard-fought playoff victory on October 29 2025, edging out the Seminole Warhawks 3-2. This win marks a significant achievement for the Manta Rays, extending their impressive run to eight victories in their last nine matches.

Lemon Bay demonstrated resilience, taking Seminole to a decisive fifth set where they emerged with a 15-10 win. The match unfolded with intense back-and-forth action, as set scores finished 26-28, 25-20, 25-17, 20-25, 15-10. The Manta Rays’ ability to close out the final set under pressure proved critical.

The collective effort of the Lemon Bay squad was key to overcoming a strong Seminole team. While individual statistics were not provided, the team’s cohesive play and determination were evident in securing the five-set thriller.

This playoff win improves Lemon Bay’s season record to 21-9. For the Seminole Warhawks, the loss ended their four-match home winning streak and dropped their record to 17-10.

Next, Lemon Bay(21-9) will take on the North Broward Prep Eagles (24-2), November 7 (away) at 1:00pm at Polk State College, Winter haven.

The post Lemon Bay Varsity Volleyball Headed to The Final 4 appeared first on Englewood Review.

Teams of 10 players can register for $300 per team. Ragball will be used for play, and championship prizes will be awarded. The tournament is open to all ages and skill levels, emphasizing inclusivity and local engagement.

Mark your calendars — registration closes on November 15. Those interested can message Manat Baseball on Facebook to get entered.

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Freshman Crew Collins led Lemon Bay with 9 kills, while senior Roxy Getter added 7 and senior Grace Wear chipped in 6. Setter Evelyn Swidrak paced the offense with 31 assists to go with 10 digs and 2 aces. Senior Natalie Googins anchored the defense with 17 digs, and Wear, Getter, and V. Kappelmann each recorded 3 blocks at the net.

Lemon Bay won’t have long to dwell on the loss. The Manta Rays head to Fort Myers on Thursday, September 4, to take on Bishop Verot in a 7 p.m. matchup.

The post Fightin’ Tarpons Hand Lemon Bay Volleyball First Loss appeared first on Englewood Review.

Lemon Bay’s attack was led by junior Lilly Scheiber, who put away 11 kills on a blistering .733 hitting percentage. Freshman Crew Collins added 8 kills and 2 blocks, while senior Grace Wear chipped in 4 kills and 2 blocks. At the net, the Mantas totaled 6 blocks, with contributions from Scheiber, Collins, Wear, and senior Emma Yeiter.

The Mantas also served with precision, piling up 15 aces as a team and maintaining a 95.8% service rate. Senior Kyra Sorenson was especially strong from the line, delivering 5 aces and 6 digs, while junior Maisyn Pierce added 4 aces and senior Evelyn Swidrak tallied 3. Junior Nargiz Aktayeva also contributed 3 aces on a perfect night behind the line.

Running the offense, Swidrak dished out 25 assists, effectively spreading the ball to all hitters. Defensively, seniors Sorenson (6 digs) and Natalie Googins (5 digs, 8 perfect serve-receives) anchored the back row, keeping Imagine off balance.

With the sweep, Lemon Bay remains the team to beat in the district and looks to carry its early momentum deeper into September.

Next on the schedule for the Manta Rays is a home, non-conference match vs. Charlotte on Wednesday, September 3 at 7 p.m.

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The annual event, sanctioned by the Florida Sports Foundation, serves as a local qualifier for the Florida Senior Games State Championships. This year’s games will take place from Oct. 1 through Oct. 31 at various venues across the county, including the Ann & Chuck Dever Regional Park in Englewood.

Participants can choose from more than a dozen events, including basketball, pickleball, swimming, track and field, golf, bowling, and newer offerings such as disc golf and RC sailing. Registration costs $10 per event, with a bundled $10 fee covering up to four events for both swimming and track disciplines.

Athletes must be at least 50 years old by Dec. 31, 2024, to qualify. Registration is a two-step process: competitors must first register online for Course #29895 through the Charlotte County Recreation website or in person at any Charlotte County recreation facility. They must then sign up for individual sports and events. All registration deadlines fall two weeks prior to the scheduled date of each event.

Organizers say the games offer a fun and accessible way for older adults to stay active and engaged in their community.

For full details, event schedules, and registration links, visit charlottecountyfl.gov.

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Born Suzanne Doris Parsons on April 1, 1934, in Medford, Massachusetts, Zipay was the sixth of seven children and grew up in Hingham. In 1953, shortly after graduating from high school, she joined the Rockford Peaches of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, where she played for two seasons at multiple positions, including pitcher and second base.

Zipay’s early accomplishments in baseball earned her recognition decades later, when she and her teammates were honored in 1988 with a permanent exhibit at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York. She also appeared in a small role in the 1992 film “A League of Their Own,” which dramatized the story of the league.

After the AAGPBL folded, Zipay turned her attention to tennis. She began coaching in 1973 and became a certified teaching professional, later opening a tennis specialty shop in Massachusetts. She was ranked regionally and nationally in the 40-and-over division.

Zipay moved to Florida in 1987 and, the following year, partnered with her son Bob to revitalize the Englewood Tennis Club. There, she coached players of all ages, organized community leagues and helped bring middle school tennis to the area, often volunteering her time and equipment.

She remained active in the AAGPBL Players Association and, in 2019, founded American Girls Baseball, a nonprofit organization focused on providing girls and women opportunities to play baseball at all levels. The organization plans to hold the All-American Women’s Baseball Classic from Aug. 1–3 in Durham, North Carolina — an event Zipay helped plan and promote in her final year.

“Sue was a remarkable, wonderful lady,” one tribute on her online memorial read. “Her passing leaves a substantial hole in the sports community and its history.”

Zipay was preceded in death by her husband, Tom; her parents; and five of her six siblings. She is survived by her sister, Dorcas; three children, David, Robert and Judy; six grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and many extended family members and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to Tidewell Hospice or American Girls Baseball.

Arrangements are being handled by Baldwin Brothers Funeral and Cremation Society.

The post Sue Zipay, trailblazing Rockford Peaches player and Englewood tennis coach, dies at 91 appeared first on Englewood Review.

Houston, who helped lead Venice High to multiple deep playoff runs before heading to Wake Forest University, has long been regarded as one of the top defensive infielders in the country. Known for his lightning-quick reflexes and leadership on and off the field, the 21-year-old cemented his first-round status after a breakout junior season at Wake Forest, where he hit .354 with 15 home runs and 19 stolen bases.

A hometown favorite and two-time All-State selection in high school, Houston’s rise has been closely followed by the Venice baseball community, which has produced a number of collegiate and professional players in recent years.

The Twins cited Houston’s advanced glove, arm strength and mental maturity as key factors in their selection. “We believe Marek has all the tools to stay at shortstop long-term,” said Twins scouting director Sean Johnson. “His background and work ethic are a big part of that.”

Houston is expected to begin his professional career just a few hours north in Fort Myers with the Twins’ Low-A affiliate, keeping the Florida native close to home—at least for now.

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