It has been 15 years since a professional sports team called Plant City home, but with the recent agreement between VisionPro Sports Institute Inc. and city commissioners, that soon will change. VisionPro’s United Soccer League pro squad, VSI Tampa Bay FC, will play its inaugural season at Plant City Stadium, the former spring training home […]
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SHOW ME THE MAUNEY: Pro soccer a good fit for Plant City
As I’ve written before, after accepting this job, I thoroughly researched Plant City and its sports scene. Being the sports historian I like to claim to be, I found out about Plant City Stadium and how it was the former spring training home to the Cincinnati Reds. Even though the Reds left town when I […]
Continue ReadingATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Margo Butler
Durant High School senior Margo Butler tried pole-vaulting when she was a sophomore, looking for something fun and different to do. With a natural talent for the unique track-and-field event, Butler has found success, including recently taking first place at Western Conference, with a personal best vault of 8-3. With few trainers in the area, […]
Continue ReadingGONE FISHIN’: Catching the elusive redfish
My name is Capt. John Baty, and I am owner and founder of Forever Hooked Charters. Each month, I’ll be offering you tips to help you become a better fisherman. I’ll also update you on what is biting in Tampa Bay and other areas. This month the topic is the bronze beauty — the redfish. […]
Continue ReadingJunior Woman’s Club to hold first tourney
Plant City golfers will lace up their shoes this weekend to help put shoes on local children in need at the Plant City Junior Woman’s Club’s first Charity Golf Tournament. The tournament will take place April 6, at Walden Lake Golf and Country Club. Registration will take place at 7 a.m., followed by a shotgun […]
Continue ReadingVSI Tampa Bay FC capture historic first win
Fullerton, Calif. – Tuesday was a historic night for VSI Tampa Bay FC. The Flames captured their first win in franchise history in USL PRO from a goal by Brazilian midfielder Antonio Neto, outlasting the LA Blues 1-0. VSI Tampa Bay FC controlled possession for much of the first half of their second USL PRO game, […]
Continue ReadingTampa Bay Sentinels host home opener in Plant City
The Tampa Bay Sentinels made their full-contact debut in Plant City March 23, at the Otis M. Andrews Sports Complex. The Sentinels, a public safety football team comprising first responders and military from around the Tampa Bay area, fell to the Cleveland Warriors 14-13 on a two-point conversion with less than a minute to play. […]
Continue ReadingATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Keven Long
Plant City High senior Keven Long has established himself as a leader on the surging Raiders baseball team. Long entered this week with a 0.84 ERA and a 4-1 record on the mound. He has recorded 29 strikeouts and, outside of one home run, he hasn’t allowed an extra base hit this season. At the […]
Continue ReadingPCHS tennis team hope for third consecutive trip to regionals
The Plant City boys tennis team hopes to continue its postseason streak next week, when they compete in the Class 4A District 5 tournament. The Raiders have finished as runner-up at districts for the past two years, and that is where they hope to end up again this year. “Our goal this year is to […]
Continue ReadingSHOW ME THE MAUNEY: March truly IS madness
I’ve always said the NCAA men’s basketball tournament is the greatest setup in sports. Football and baseball always will be two of my favorite sports, but the annual March tournament brings more excitement than any bowl game, World Series or Super Bowl. There’s no tournament quite like it; 68 teams have a chance to win […]
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