Spring training baseball is in the Polk County air again, with the first pitch for the 2013 RussMatt Central Florida Invitational set to be thrown on Monday, February 18 as Warner University will open play by facing Brandeis University from Massachusetts. More than 220 NAIA, JUCO, Division I, II, and III colleges and university baseball teams will participate in the annual college Spring Training program taking place from February 18 to April 4 on baseball fields throughout Polk County.
While Auburndale’s Lake Myrtle Sports Park and Winter Haven’s Chain of Lakes Park will host the majority of the 946 games scheduled, other facilities such as historic Henley Field, Southeastern University, Webber International University, and a number of high school baseball complexes will see action over the course of the event’s seven week schedule of games and practices.
The 2013 RussMatt Central Florida Invitational will not only feature great play on the baseball diamonds across Central Florida, it will also provide some interesting and inspiring stories from the players and 
teams making the trek to Polk County. One such story is junior outfielder Dillon Coleman from Gordon College in Wenham, Mass. who was born without a left hand. In 2012, Dillon started 35 games for the Fighting Scots and recorded 16 RBI’s, 18 runs scored and 7 stolen bases. Left handed pitcher Bryan Sullivan of Ramapo College of Mahwah, N.J. competes for the Roadrunners despite the fact he has cerebral palsy and does not have use of his right hand. One team that is heading to the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational as an underdog is the team from Bard College from Annandale-on-Hudson, N.Y. March 2013 will mark the first month of varsity baseball at Bard College in more than 76 years. The Raptors will be fielding a team, primarily made up of freshmen, for the first time since 1937.
For a look at the complete 2013 RussMatt Central Florida Invitational schedule, please visit RussMattBaseball.com or CentralFloridaSports.com. If you are interested in daily game schedules, game results, or weather updates, be sure to follow us on Twitter at @CentralFLSports and “Like” us on Facebook at CFSports. We will be sure to bring you all of the latest results and schedule changes, along with a daily schedule of games beginning each day at 8:00 a.m.
Will you be traveling down for the 2013 RussMatt Central Florida Invitational? If so, be sure to check out the many things-to-do during your stay in Polk County. While taking some time away from the diamonds, be sure to check out Central Florida’s newest attraction LEGOLAND® Florida. Can’t get enough baseball? No problem, as the defending American League Champion Detroit Tigers will host their 77th annual Spring Training in Lakeland throughout the month of February and March. Also make sure to check out our Calendar of Events for a list of events around Polk County that you may be interested in during your down time.
If you need assistance at any time during your stay, contact Polk Outpost 27 (Polk County’s Official Visitor Information Center) at 800-828-7655, located at 101 Adventure Court, Davenport, Florida 33837. Be sure to request a Passport to Adventure and Savings discount card before your trip. Don’t forget to download the Explore Central Florida App on your smartphone on the iOS or Android market. This is Central Florida’s one-and-only location based app, with information on where to eat, stay, and play during your trip, and the best part is that it’s absolutely free!
