Summer leagues take the field

Looking for some high level sports action this summer? Look no further than two leagues that have turned the summertime lull in Central Florida sports into a fan's paradise.

Baseball's future stars

The crack of the first bat is almost here, and it's music to Florida Collegiate Summer League vice president Rob Sitz's ears. Baseball season is coming back to Central Florida, and it starts tonight at Sanford Memorial Stadium.

But America's Pastime is spreading well beyond Sanford for this season, and one of the ever-restless FCSL's longest-lived teams is back for its seventh season right in the heart of Winter Park.

The Winter Park Diamond Dawgs have been with the league since its quiet beginnings in 2004. Only the Sanford River Rats survived the ensuing waves of change that shook the league, which is partially funded by Major League Baseball, over the past six seasons.

And in those seasons, the Dawgs have rightfully emerged as a consistent competitor near the top of the ladder.

A big part of that success will return to the diamond this season. Anthony Figliolia has taken on the persona of the FCSL's Babe Ruth, batting an incredible .398 last season while carrying a 2.93 ERA as one of the league's best starting pitchers.

He'll help lead the Dawgs on offense and pitching, as well as playing outfield on his days off the mound.

Chandler Jagodzinski's cannon struck out 49 batters in 46 innings last year, and he'll hope to beat that record this time around as another top pick in the starting rotation.

UCF catcher Ryan Breen is gunning for the starting catching spot on the Dawgs' lineup, bringing a prolific bat to the plate. The freshman has 57 hits with the Knights this season.

Soccer on a national scale

The Central Florida Kraze have a new home and a new home in the United Soccer Leagues' Premier Development League at the same time.

The Kraze have been strong competitors in the PDL since their inception in 1998. The team won the national championship in 2004.

But despite carrying over a few players from some of their strongest seasons, the Kraze are coming off their worst showing since their inaugural year. They placed 6th in the Southeast Division last year out of 8 teams.

But things have changed already for the Kraze. Four games into their 2010 season, they're 3-0-1 thanks to a brick wall defense and the top offense in the division.

Boasting an array of international stars and a fast-paced offense, the Kraze will battle their perennial rival Bradenton at 7 p.m. Saturday at Showalter Field in Winter Park.