- May 5, 2024
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The Panthers' Collin Mastromauro gets in his stance in the batter's box. Photo by Ray Boone
The Panthers' Shane Lavin throws a pitch at practice. Photo by Ray Boone
The Port Orange Panthers 12U team. Photo courtesy of Edith Shelley
The Port Orange Panthers Under-12 baseball team was the first Port Orange baseball club team to ever be invited to the Cooperstown Dreams Park Invitation Tournament in Cooperstown, New York.
However, the Panthers might need a little help getting there.
The Panthers will travel to Cooperstown in the second week of August and will get to experience what it's like to be a "big leaguer" for a week. The team will play anywhere from seven to 10 games, will have the opportunity to visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame, and attend baseball games at Doubleday Field — where the game was invented in 1839. In addition, participants will receive rings and be inducted into the American Youth Baseball Hall of Fame.
"They're so pumped right now," said Panthers coach Jeff Lemon, whose team started practice in January. "They're not even worried about the season. They're thinking about this summer."
If you're interested in helping out the Panthers, on the first Tuesday of every month through July (April 3, May 1, June 5 and July 5), Houligan's will donate 10% of your bill to the Panthers if you present one of the team's flyers with the appropriate date on it. In addition, the Daytona Tortugas are issuing special tickets for their game against Florida on April 25. Tickets can be purchased via the Port Orange Panthers, who will be honored on the field at the game.
