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Coach Perry really helped kickstart my recruitment process. Going into it, I had been talking to a few schools but nothing major. Coach Perry showed me how to talk to schools and how to get them interested in me. Coach Perry made sure that I was prepared for every situation throughout the recruiting process and constantly checked in to see how it was going. He really helped me to understand the ins and outs of the recruiting process and give me the best opportunity to succeed. - Present Day D1 player. You were always a great personality to be around and created a good atmosphere. Your help in the recruiting process was absolutely amazing and I’m glad I was able to pick up and learn a lot of things about the process from you. I’m glad to have played under you and learned from you. Really grateful for your help with talking to college coaches and calling them on my behalf to facilitate opportunities for me as well.

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Spring rosters, december 24th, alfonso martinez joins burn staff.

The Florida Burn is proud to announce that Alfonso Martinez has joined our staff for the 2024 summer season. Alfonso will be the head coach of the Florida Burn 2028 Martinez team.

Coach Martinez comes to the Burn after recently retiring from an incredible career in which he served in the following capacities:

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SWFL Baseball Midseason Awards, Rankings: Vote for the top players midway through 2024

The halfway point of the high school baseball season is here.

About a month and a half from now, a total of 28 teams will descend upon Hammond Stadium competing for state championships in seven classes. There's a good chance Southwest Florida will extend the streak dating back to 2011 of at least one team advancing to the state Final Four.

As we head into the second half of the season here are our Midseason Player of the Year, Slugger of the Year, Pitcher of the Year, and Underclassmen of the Year plus other contenders for those monikers. All of the midseason awards and rankings are based on more than just stats and wins. Strength of schedule matters, too.

RELATED: SWFL Softball Midseason Awards, Rankings: Vote for the top players midway through 2024

Here are our accolades, followed by midseason rankings:

Stats, records, and rankings through Monday, April 1:

Midseason Player of the Year

Johnny king, naples.

The reigning Southwest Florida Player of the Year is having as impressive of a season as you can have for a two-way player. Committed to Miami, King has pitched to a 0.00 ERA over his 24 innings pitched, striking out 57 over that stretch while allowing just five hits and five walks. At the plate, he's carrying a Naples offense that's hitting .269 as a team, batting .527 with 29 hits, seven doubles, two triples, two home runs, 17 RBI, and 17 runs scored. He's struck out just three times in 55 at-bats so far (5.4%), lower than his eight strikeouts over 88 at-bats last year.

ON THE RISE: Naples pitcher Johnny King rising up MLB Draft boards after solid summer, start to senior year

IN CONTENTION:

Jason Bello, Bishop Verot

Bello's bat has been known for years, but it's his ability to win games on the mound that's contributed to Verot's 13-4 start. The USF signee is hitting .451 with 23 hits and 23 RBI, as well as four doubles, three triples, and a home run to go along with 20 runs scored. On the hill, he's 5-0 with a 3.32 ERA, striking out 30 over 25 2/3 innings pitched with wins over Gulliver Prep, St. John Neumann, Charlotte, Cardinal Mooney, and Gloucester Catholic (N.J.).

Joey Lawson, Bishop Verot

Just a sophomore, Lawson has been raking this season for the Vikings. He's up to 25 hits on the season, hitting .532 with 25 RBI, 9 doubles, and 3 home runs while adding 16 runs scored. His 1.505 OPS leads the team, which is hitting .371 as a unit. On the mound, Lawson is 3-2 with a 1.59 ERA, allowing just north of a baserunner per inning while striking out 27. His value on the mound this season has played a significant role in Verot's early-season success.

Vincent Mattei, Gulf Coast

Mattei has been the Sharks' No. 1 starter, facing solid talent in American Heritage, Taravella, and Sebring among others. He's 3-2 with a 2.37 ERA this season, striking out 40 over 23 2/3 innings while allowing 14 hits and 9 walks. At the plate, Mattei is hitting .361 with 13 RBI and a .429 on-base percentage through 14 games.

Ryder Woodson, St. John Neumann

Another extremely talented two-way star, Woodson's hitting .420 at the plate for Neumann with four doubles, four triples, and a pair of home runs while adding 10 RBI and 11 stolen bases. He's the only player on the team with an OPS over 1.000, as the NC State commit is sitting at 1.334 through 50 at-bats. Woodson is also the team's closer, notching five saves while posting a 1-1 record with a 1.90 ERA. To say he's been beyond valuable to Charlie Maurer's group is an understatement.

Have your say. Vote below for your pick for the Midseason Player of the Year.

Clutch Gene: The Hyatts delivered walk-off hits for the Gulf Coast baseball and softball teams Tuesday night

Midseason Slugger of the Year

Jackson geiger, gulf coast.

Geiger has been a constant in the Gulf Coast order, providing a spark offensively that has led to a 9-5 record so far. The USF commit is hitting an even .400 with 18 hits, six doubles, three triples, and a team-leading 19 RBI, with the next closest being Michael Peterson's 9. The left-handed hitter has an OPS of 1.118, the team leader by 180 points.

Jacob Estrada, Bonita Springs

A fellow catcher like Geiger, Estrada has also found extensive success at the dish, hitting .419 with 18 hits, three doubles, two triples, and a home run to go along with 18 RBI. If those numbers hold, it'll be the best season of Estrada's prep career, as his numbers have only gone up since his freshman season.

Logan Krause, Riverdale

Krause has raked this season for Riverdale, hitting .452 with eight extra-base hits on 42 at-bats. He's driven in 12 runs for Bobby Pringle's group with just two strikeouts on the season. The senior's OPS is largely carried by a .714 slugging percentage, a big factor in Riverdale's 8-4 record.

Drue Overmyer, Estero

Overmyer isn't your prototypical power hitter, but one who prioritizes contact and utilizes his plus speed. The Estero junior is hitting .576 for the Wildcats, posting 19 hits, six of which are doubles. He also has scored 14 runs, added 10 RBI, swiped 7 bases, and struck out just once over 44 plate appearances.

Maddix Simpson, Bishop Verot

The Ohio State signee got his swing back. That's a great sign for Casey Scott and company, as Simpson already has surpassed his extra-base hits total from his sophomore year and junior years combined. The shortstop is hitting .429 so far this year, posting 24 hits, 22 runs scored, and 12 RBI, following a junior year that saw him hit .299 with 23 hits, 19 runs scored, and 15 RBI.

Have your say. Vote below for your pick for the Midseason Slugger of the Year.

Midseason Pitcher of the Year

Presley woodson, st. john neumann.

Arguably the area's best right-handed arm, Woodson has gone up against elite competition all season in Lowndes, Gulliver Prep, Bishop Verot, and Salpointe Catholic (Ariz.) among others. Woodson has pitched to a 4-1 record and a 0.26 ERA through 26 2/3 innings, striking out 42 over that stretch. He's allowed 15 hits and 8 walks, as reaching base against the Florida State commit has proven to be tricky.

Previously: St. John Neumann embraces baseball's high-tech wave, adopts coach to catcher electronic device

Landon Ide, Bonita Springs

The Bull Sharks have gotten quality innings out of the righty, pitching to a 1.68 ERA over 25 innings, striking out 26 over that stretch. Teams are hitting .208 against Ide, a lower mark than the .239 mark a season ago.

Brendan Murphy, Naples

The left-hander is having his best season yet with a 3-1 record as well as a 0.74 ERA, striking out 47 over 28 1/3 innings pitched. Murphy's ability to throw strikes and attack the zone has seen opponents hit just .126 against him, a big reason why Naples is 13-2 so far this season and why he just committed to Columbia last week.

Trevor Nikolis, St. John Neumann

The North Florida signee is right there with Woodson, as Nikolis (4-0) has dealt so far this season with a 0.29 ERA over 24 innings pitched. He's struck out 32 over 24 innings, allowing 11 hits, 8 walks, and a single earned run for the Celtics.

Owen Phypers, St. John Neumann

It's more than just Woodson and Nikolis on the hill, as Phypers is by far the area's best middle relief pitcher. The junior has pitched to a 2-0 record with a 0.30 ERA, adding a save in his 23 innings pitched. Phypers has struck out 28 so far for Neumann, allowing 15 hits and 4 walks over that stretch.

Have your say. Vote below for your pick for the Midseason Pitcher of the Year.

Midseason Underclassman of the Year

Alan overmyer, barron collier.

The sophomore has fueled a Barron offense that's hitting .308, batting .467 with 21 hits (8 doubles), 17 RBI, and 13 runs scored over 54 plate appearances. On the mound, Overmyer is the team's No. 1 starter with a 2-1 record and a 2.95 ERA, striking out 23 over 21 1/3 innings pitched.

Brayden Habuda, Canterbury

The sophomore has picked up the slack in a Canterbury lineup that's relatively well-rounded this season, hitting .351 with 13 hits, a double, a home run, and 10 runs to go along with 12 RBI. His walk-to-strikeout ratio is solid, sitting at 2.4/1 through 14 games this season.

Cameron Otterbeck, Community School

The sophomore leads all Southwest Florida underclassmen with four home runs, adding three doubles and 12 RBI on 17 hits for Chad Ott's group. Otterbeck is slugging .842 with an OPS of 1.365, second on the team behind fellow sophomore Cutter Smith.

Braylon Sheffield, Bishop Verot

Not many freshmen see the level of competition Sheffield is seeing right out of the gate, but he's making the most of it so far, hitting .286 with 14 hits, five doubles, a triple, and 12 RBI in the middle third of Casey Scott's lineup. His 12 RBI rank tied for third on the team behind Joey Lawson and Jason Bello, who sit at 25 and 23, respectively.

Ever Silvente, Canterbury

Just like his counterpart Habuda, Silvente is hitting .351 for Canterbury with 12 singles, a home run, 11 RBI, 9 runs, and a walk for Frank Turco's group, which is 9-5 through 14 games this season.

Have your say. Vote below for your pick for the Midseason Underclassman of the Year.

Midseason Rankings

1. st. john neumann (15-2).

Last ranking: 2

Analysis: The Celtics may not have the head-to-head over the No. 2 team in this poll in Bishop Verot, but Neumann has gone 9-0 since that loss with just six runs allowed, leading to a statewide ranking of No. 3 by MaxPreps. It's been a flat-out dominant stretch for Charlie Maurer's group, which won the All-Faiths Classic in Las Vegas last week with wins over Paul VI (Va.), Capistrano Valley Christian (Calif.), Salpointe Catholic (Ariz.), and Regis Jesuit (Colo.). Next up is a clash with Venice, ranked fifth in Florida by MaxPreps.

2. Bishop Verot (13-4)

Last ranking: 1

Analysis: The Vikings had their chance to solidify their status as the area's top team out in Las Vegas at the All-Faiths Classic, but faltered and went 1-3 while Neumann allowed less than a run per game en route to the championship. This Verot team is still very solid but saw their bats go cold in the favorable altitude out west. Next up for Casey Scott's group is a road contest with Manatee before hosting Loyola Academy (Ill.) on Friday.

3. Naples (13-2)

Last ranking: 3

Analysis: This Naples team might be currently hitting 30 points lower than they did a season ago, but the wins keep coming thanks to a pitching staff that's pitched to an ERA of 1.60, lower than the 2.04 clip a season ago. Johnny King, Brendan Murphy, Drew Stillwell, and JP Martin have given the Golden Eagles quality innings. Next up for the Golden Eagles are dates with Loyola Academy (Ill.) and Gulf Coast for the CCAC title.

4. Canterbury (9-5)

Last ranking: 4

Analysis: The Cougars took a trip over to South Florida last week, unable to come away with a win against McArthur or Miami Beach. They did see their offense come to life on March 25 against Ida Baker, posting 13 runs on the Bulldogs as the bats showed signs of life. The schedule the rest of the way features a total of six ranked opponents, as well as West Broward, a team ranked 11th statewide by MaxPreps. Frank Turco and company will look to right the ship on Tuesday against Gulf Coast.

5. Gulf Coast (9-5)

Last ranking: 5

Analysis: The Sharks have gone 2-4 over their last six contests, needing nine innings to beat Barron Collier in the de facto CCAC semifinals before taking on Naples this Friday. Gulf Coast faced strong opposition in Archbishop McCarthy, Taravella, and American Heritage as well as the Golden Eagles during that stretch, as Pete Garcia looks to ensure his team is battle-tested before the postseason. The Sharks will take on Canterbury on Tuesday night before the Naples rematch.

6. Bonita Springs (11-3)

Last ranking: 8

Analysis: The Bull Sharks are a tricky team to figure out. Bonita did grab an 8-1 season-opening win over Gulf Coast but it's hard to put much stock in that considering Pete Garcia did not throw No. 1 starter Vincent Mattei in that game, along with the fact the Sharks committed six errors, or 23.1 percent of their season total. Bonita does have two wins over Estero, both of which were one-run contests on their resumé. The junior-heavy squad will be able to prove themselves more over the next few weeks, taking on strong competition in Island Coast, Canterbury, and SFCA among others.

7. Island Coast (10-5)

Last ranking: 9

Analysis: The Gators found themselves in another close contest, grabbing a gutsy 1-0 win on the road against Barron Collier while mercy-ruling Cape Coral on Tuesday and Thursday of last week. Island Coast will take on Bonita Springs, Fort Myers, and Port Charlotte this week on consecutive nights, as the depth of Clint Montgomery's team will be put to the test against strong competition.

8. Barron Collier (10-5)

Last ranking: 6

Analysis: The Cougars are in the midst of a rocky three-game skid, with losses to No. 3 Naples, No. 5 Gulf Coast, and No. 7 Island Coast by a combined six runs. These games matter, as seeding in the Class 5A-District 12 tournament with Barron, Naples, Gulf Coast, and Bonita Springs will be critical. Just like they did last year, expect Adam Johnson's group to bounce back with winnable games against North Port, Golden Gate, and First Baptist looming.

9. Evangelical Christian (9-6)

Last ranking: 7

Analysis: The Sentinels have had very encouraging results while having some questionable ones. A 3-1 loss to Neumann was a solid result, as was a 7-0 win over Bonita Springs. But back-to-back losses against a 7-8 Union County team and a 6-9 South Fort Myers squad puts the consistency into question of a team that's looking to make the postseason. ECS still has 10 games left in the regular season, looking to get wins over Oasis, Northridge (Ill.), First Baptist, and CSN this week.

10. SFCA (8-3)

Last ranking: 11

Analysis: The King's have continued to win ballgames, going on a tear offensively with 47 runs over their last four games. It's an encouraging sign for Mike Klossner's group, which posted 42 runs in their first seven contests of the year. They'll hope those hot bats continue against South Fort Myers on Tuesday, before playing Bonita Springs, Canterbury, and Fort Myers next week.

First Five Out: Riverdale (8-4), Estero (10-3), LaBelle (8-6), Community School (6-7), Cypress Lake (7-9)

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Where to see minor league baseball in florida.

By Josh Gillin

Florida features plenty of professional baseball, beyond the Tampa Bay Rays and Miami Marlins.

While 15 Major League teams call the Sunshine State their spring training home, several of those ballparks also host Class A Advanced Florida State League teams over the summer. There’s also a pair of Class AA teams in the north of the state. 

Here’s where to see minor league baseball in Florida, plus some activities you can enjoy around the ballparks.

 Blue Wahoos Stadium, home of the titular team since 2012, is consistently a top draw in the Southern League.

- VISIT FLORIDA

Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Minnesota Twins AA affiliate)  Ballpark : Blue Wahoos Stadium, home of the titular team since 2012, is consistently a top draw in the Southern League. The stadium regularly leads all their Southern League peers in attendance despite being the smallest ballpark, only holding about 5,000 fans. Fans get a breathtaking view of Pensacola Bay during Blue Wahoos games and any number of tournaments and community events in the stadium all year long. Things to do: Pensacola’s beaches are a top attraction, including the unspoiled shorelines of Gulf Islands National Seashore and the “lost island,” Perdido Key . With Naval Air Station Pensacola nearby, military fans and families will have plenty to do. The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, also known as the Blue Angels , hold several shows (and practices) in the skies over Pensacola. The air base also is home to the Naval Aviation Museum and the Pensacola Lighthouse and Museum is nearby. A trip to Historic Pensacola features several tours, history interpreters and attractions, including a children’s museum and historic properties.   

JACKSONVILLE

Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (Miami Marlins AA affiliate) Ballpark: In contrast to their Panhandle neighbors in Pensacola, the Jumbo Shrimp play in the largest ballpark in the Southern League. Bragan Field at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville, as it’s officially called, has a capacity of 11,000. The park features vast berm seating in the left field corner, including an area known as “the knuckle,” and a huge, high-definition scoreboard. The Florida Gators and Florida State Seminoles play a game here each year. Things to do: Jacksonville has the honor of being the largest city in Florida by area, and boasts the most coastline of any other metropolis. Attractions here skew toward natural wonders and the region’s Southern heritage. You can go shopping and people-watching in the historic Riverside/Avondale district or St. John’s Town Center , or try paddling and bird-watching in state parks on Little Talbot Island and Big Talbot Island . Learn more about the region’s post-colonial history at Kingsley Plantation , or take in a show at the historic, high-style Florida Theatre . Art lovers will enjoy the collections on display at the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens , while animal pals will be fascinated with the rescue tigers and other big cats at the Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary or all the species at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens . 

Jackie Robinson Ballpark, which opened in 1914, qualifies as a bona fide pilgrimage site for baseball fans.

Daytona Tortugas (Cincinnati Reds A affiliate) Ballpark : Jackie Robinson Ballpark, which opened in 1914, qualifies as a bona fide pilgrimage site for baseball fans. It was known as City Island Ball Park when Daytona became the first city to allow the African-American Robinson to play in a game during spring training in 1946. His AAA Montreal Royals took on their Brooklyn Dodgers parent club in an exhibition game after Jacksonville and Sanford refused to allow it because of segregation laws. Robinson broke the Major League Baseball color barrier the following year. The ballpark was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998. “The Jack” has been updated from time to time, but retains a nostalgic feel (the grandstand still dates to the ‘60s) that hardball fanatics are sure to love. Things to do: Daytona bills itself as the “World’s Most Famous Beach” for a reason. Beyond the Main Street Boardwalk and Pier at the center of the beach and the adjacent Joyland Amusement Center , there’s also the Daytona Lagoon water park for those hotter days. Racing fans can catch an event at Daytona International Speedway , including the Daytona 500 each February. This is a big motorcycling Mecca, as well, with Daytona Beach Bike Week in the spring and Biketoberfest in the fall both bookending baseball season.

DOUBLE DUTY

The following teams all play in ballparks that share the trait of serving as spring training homes for their Major League parent clubs. Here’s an overview of each team, but if you want more information, check out our Spring Training guide to learn more about the ballparks and things to do .  

Bradenton Marauders (Pittsburgh Pirates A affiliate) Ballpark: LECOM Park is the second-oldest stadium among Florida’s minor league ballparks. The Spanish mission-style design helps it retain its personality after a renovation about a decade ago. Things to do: The ballpark is smack dab in the middle of a neighborhood, with the Village of the Arts and Red Barn Flea Market nearby and the beaches of Anna Maria Island a short drive away.  

Clearwater Threshers (Philadelphia Phillies A affiliate) Ballpark: Spectrum Field is a modern ballpark easily accessible from U.S. Highway 19, with a tiki bar, berm seating and a playground for the kids. The concessions stands feature authentic cheese steaks and water ice to cater to the Philadelphia faithful.  Things to do: Clearwater Beach is a world-famous, sugar-sand waterfront, with the Clearwater Marine Aquarium along the way.  

Dunedin Blue Jays (Toronto Blue Jays A affiliate) Ballpark: TD Ballpark is all-new and improved for 2020, thanks to a just-completed  expansion to increase the number (and quality) of seats, build a walkway around the outfield and spruce up the eating and drinking options. Things to do: Dunedin is a popular and walkable small city, with a Main Street filled with local options — no chains allowed. The undeveloped beaches of Caladesi Island and Honeymoon Island state parks are just a couple of miles away.  

Fort Myers Mighty Mussels (Minnesota Twins A affiliate) Ballpark: The exterior of Hammond Stadium was inspired by Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, and is highlighted by a waterfall. The ballpark was drastically enhanced in 2015 with a $42.5 million renovation. Things to do: Nearby Sanibel Island is a big draw, with unparalleled shelling thanks to fortuitous ocean currents. See how Thomas Edison and Henry Ford lived at their winter estates , or be on the lookout for endangered big cats at the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge .  

Jupiter Hammerheads (Miami Marlins A affiliate)  and  Palm Beach Cardinals (St. Louis Cardinals A affiliate) Ballpark: Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium is home to two teams both in the Grapefruit League and the Florida State League. Seats are up close and personal, just like the stadium, which is surrounded by a planned community filled with homes plus shopping and dining options. Things to do: Jupiter is just north of the Palm Beach area’s tony shopping, but is also close to the massive Jonathan Dickinson State Park and Blowing Rocks Preserve on Jupiter Island.  

Lakeland Flying Tigers (Detroit Tigers A affiliate) Ballpark: Joker Marchant Stadium, which last was renovated in 2017, is home to Tigertown. Detroit has had a spring training relationship with Lakeland since 1934, the longest in the majors, and the devotion shows. The stadium is huge and pays tribute to the Motor City at every turn. Things to do: Downtown Lakeland’s Lake Mirror is a hip spot for a drink or a bite to eat. Florida Southern College is a showcase of architecture by the famed Frank Lloyd Wright, with regular tours for visitors.  

PORT ST. LUCIE

St. Lucie Mets (New York Mets A affiliate) Ballpark: First Data Stadium recalls the days of Shea, complete with Nathan’s Famous hot dogs. Berm seating is popular, are as the largely shaded seats behind home plate. It also has what may be the easiest-to-navigate parking lot in the minors. Things to do: PGA Golf Club at PGA Village is a chip shot away from the stadium. Nearby Hutchinson Island is loaded with options for outdoor enthusiasts.  

Tampa Tarpons (New York Yankees A affiliate) Ballpark: George M. Steinbrenner Field is evocative of Yankee Stadium, with a seating capacity to match — more than 11,000 fans can pack in for games. It’s loaded with cabanas and covered seating, and is near Raymond James Stadium, the home of the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Things to do: The Florida Aquarium and the new Sparkman Wharf entertainment complex are downtown. Tampa’s Ybor City is full of nightlife options, and is just a short trolley ride away.

PLACES TO REMEMBER

Jacksonville

STRATEGIC ALLIANCE PARTNERS

Professional Baseball Player with 26 years of coaching experience View all coaching experience

This coach is unavailable to take clients at this time.

Coach is willing to travel up to 50 miles

Training Locations

Credentials.

Florida Atlantic University (FL)

Qualified Private Coach

Adults, Kids, Teenagers

Pitcher, Catcher, Infield, Outfield

Fielding, Hitting, Baserunning, Pitching

More About Coach Joseph

• Coaching Experience
• Athletic Highlights
• Session Plan

I am a Head Baseball Coach for several baseball associations in Florida & New York with 26 years of Coaching experience. I specialize in building sound fundamental mechanics and mental toughness through private baseball instruction. I also work on the physical sport specific training. I played at TOP 25 Ranked FAU and was a 2nd Team ALL-CONFERENCE Pitcher. I also was a Professional Baseball Pitcher for the Cleveland Indians and the Texas Rangers.

Joseph C. has not provided a session plan.

Action Photos

Client Reviews

Kevin Lindheim President, Florida Valuation & Consultants, Inc. (Testimonial) Coach Cali is rock solid on both the playing field and in the business arena. Without question, Joe is a trusted friend and valued business consultant. August 1, 2012, Kevin worked with Joseph at Cali Brothers Baseball Academy , LLC.

James Walker CEO at James W. Walker, P.A. (Testimonial) Joseph has been very good at mentoring and instilling confidence in the boys he has trained as pitchers, hitters and catchers. Joseph is a very fine individual and works extremely well with children of all ages. We have had very good experiences with Joseph Cali.

Jim Cossetta CEO & Leadoff Hitter (Testimonial) Joe is a great coach, instructor and sports retail expert. I have known Joe since high school and he is a great person to be around - he has terrific energy and is a true baseball person. If you love baseball, you will love Joe Cali. August 13, 2012, Jim was Joseph's client

Rick Scafidi Owner at Weekend Willie's Sports Bar & Grill (Testimonial) Joe has been coaching my son over the past 2 summer seasons for the Impact travel team here in Naples He has demonstrated an excellent management style that has benefited individuals he has been tutoring on a one one basis coupled with the ability to achieve team success after putting the individuals together on the field. Joe's knowledge and experience of the game of baseball is extensive, and he is looked up to by those who play for him. He has the rare ability to convey his knowledge through his teaching style that not only gets results but also makes the game fun. After spending most of my life in the arena of playing and coaching baseball at the youth, high school, and collegiate levels, I have seen many styles of coaching in my career. I would recommend Joe for anyone looking to improve their game, or take their baseball program to the next level.less August 6, 2012, Rick worked directly with Joseph at Collier Youth Baseball

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Naples attorney John Passidomo, husband of Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, dies

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Naples attorney John Passidomo , husband of Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo , died Wednesday from injuries he sustained Monday during a fall while hiking along a Utah trail.

The 72-year-old Passidomo was airlifted to a regional trauma center after suffering head trauma and other serious injuries on a hike with his wife, Senate President Pro Tempore Dennis Baxley wrote in a memo to senators that was released Wednesday.

"After a thorough evaluation by the very best medical teams," his family was told he "would not survive," Baxley wrote.

His daughters "quickly traveled to Utah," where he died with them and Sen. Passidomo by his side, Baxley added.

The memo explained that the Passidomos, originally from New Jersey, were law school sweethearts. They would have celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary in September. The two had met at Stetson University Law School in Gulfport.

With great sadness, President Pro Tempore Baxley provided the following update on behalf of President Passidomo. 🙏 Please join us in praying the grace and peace of God, our Father, our hope and comfort in times of distress, will be with the President. https://t.co/dnWZlp9Qcj pic.twitter.com/5AuClmuXA7 — Florida Senate (@FLSenate) April 3, 2024

In a 2021 interview with the Tallahassee Democrat , Sen. Passidomo explained that upon their graduation in 1979, they hooked a trailer to her Mercury Capri, grabbed their cat Kebe and headed south on old U.S. 41 to Naples.

“We didn’t have a honeymoon. We got a U-Haul and we couldn’t go faster than 50 ... and Kebe was crying the whole way,” she recalled.

“But it was love at first sight,” Passidomo said about Naples, which she described as a quaint little fishing village with roads featuring landscaped medians.

In their law school courtship, the two had visited John's relatives there. After gazing at a canal opening into the Gulf, they decided it was where they would build careers and lives.

Who was John Passidomo? Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo's husband dies in hiking accident

John Passidomo was an elected official in City of Naples

The couple would go on to have successful legal careers in Collier County. Kathleen Passidomo became the second woman to hang a shingle as a lawyer in the county; John served as President of the Collier County Bar Association.

Both entered politics. John held elected office as a city council member and vice mayor of Naples in 1990-92. Kathleen won a Florida House seat in 2010, then was elected to the Senate, rising to the chamber's presidency for 2022-24.

"I would say he and Kathleen are two of the finest people that ever stepped foot in Collier County and walked among our community," said former state Sen. Garrett Richter, R-Naples, who served 2008-16.

Richter referred to the two as a team that uplifted others.

"You can’t think of John Passidomo without a smile because he was always smiling and bringing happiness and light to other people’s lives. This is the only time that I can think about him and not smile because I am so sad," Richter told the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida.

The couple had three children. One of their daughters, Gabriella, is a member of the Florida Public Service Commission, the state body that regulates and sets rates for publicly-owned utilities.

John Passidomo was 'love of her life' to Kathleen Passidomo, Baxley says

Kathleen Passidomo “has lost the love of her life and is absolutely devastated by this sudden and unexpected accident,” Baxley said.

The recent trip to Bryce Canyon National Park was one of several the two had made to Utah over their nearly five decades together, the memo said, calling their sojourns to national parks their “great adventures.”

John Passidomo "was very fit and active, with overall excellent health," Baxley added. He was listed as an organ donor, and Baxley said the family is "taking comfort in the fact their great loss has resulted in a life-saving gift for other families."

A wave of condolences from elected officials and others flooded social media on Wednesday. Gov. Ron DeSantis posted his condolences on X, noting that "he was a good man and we are praying for the Passidomo family."

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Naples attorney John Passidomo dies after hiking accident in Utah

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