The Top Sports Action in Lee County, Florida
The Miracle came to Lee County in 1992, with Mike Veeck, son of the late Chicago White Sox owner and Hall of Fame member Bill Veeck, and attracted more than 100,000 Lee County sports action fans in their very first season. And the sports action continues fifteen years later, as the Miracle again drew more than 100,000 Lee County sports action fans with wacky promotions and solid team play. Many major league players came up through the ranks from the Miracle in Lee County including All-Star pitchers Brad Radke and Joe Mays and Golden Glove award winners Doug Mientkiewicz and Torii Hunter. Fourteen of the 25 players on the 2006 Minnesota Twins team played for the Miracle, including current starting pitcher Matt Garza who started the 2006 season with the Miracle in Lee County. Spring training home of the Minnesota Twins, Hammond Stadium in Lee County is a great place for fans to watch all the baseball sports action. Fans are close to the on-field action, just a few feet away from the finest young prospects that major league baseball has to offer. Concessions feature an expanded menu and family-friendly prices. Special attractions include the Beer Garden, a gathering spot for friends and family before, during and after the game; the Bullpen Picnic Pavilion, a covered pavilion offering photo opportunities and autographs from players; Fountain Plaza, a meeting spot by the waterfall fountain near the entrance and Kids Zone, for kids to celebrate their birthdays with plenty of sports action, Lee County-style.
The Florida Firecats arena football team brings fast and furious sports action inside the gridiron to Germain Arena in south Lee County, with 23 players on its roster. The young team started in 2001 as an affiliate of arenafootball2, Southern Division, the minor league of Arena Football 2. The team posted its first winning season in 2002 and went to the Arena Cup II championship playoffs in 2002 and the Arena Cup IV championship playoffs in 2004, when it won the league championship. The Lee County team has continued its winning seasons ever since and has a 72-37 overall record, including playoffs. The Florida Firecats Fan Club brings sports action to Lee County fans, including weekly drawings for a Florida Firecats team autographed football. Fan club members can also purchase season tickets, invitations to game day parties and discounts on official Florida Firecats gear. Germain Arena concessions areas offer an expanded menu for Lee County sports action fans, including sandwiches such as Chicken Parmesan, Grilled Chicken, Sausage with Peppers and Onions, Dietz & Watson All Beef Hot Dog and Miami Cuban and low carb fare at the Key West Deli Stand. Dessert items include Fried Dough and Frozen Chocolate Cheese Cake on a stick, soft-serve ice cream and funnel cakes, plus gourmet coffee.
The Florida Everblades professional ice hockey team heat up the ice with sports action in Lee County at Germain arena. Started in 1988 as part of the East Coast Hockey League, the Lee County team won the league’s American Cup in 2005. The team has won several other awards and trophies for great on-ice sports action, including the Brabham Cup in 2000, awarded to the team with the best position in standings for the entire league. The team has posted winning seasons every year since it began, with the 2005-06 season delighting Lee County sports action fans by compiling a 48-20-4 record. Three full serve restaurants are available at Germain Arena for before and after game meals, including The Blades American Grill, Breakaway Sports Pub and The Big Cypress Club. With professional baseball, football and ice hockey teams delivering sports aciton on the diamond, the gridiron and the rink, Lee County, Florida has it all. Fort Myers Miracle Professional Baseball 14400 Six Mile Cypress Parkway Fort Myers, Florida 33912 (239) 768-4210 www.miraclebaseball.com Florida Firecats 11000 Everblades Parkway Estero, Florida 33928 (239) 390-2287 www.floridafirecats.com Florida Everblades 11000 Everblades Parkway Estero, Florida 33928 (239) 948-7825 www.floridaeverblades.com
