• Mark welcomes guest Mike Baluja, who Mark calls, Mr. West Tampa”
• Baluja businessman, songwriter, and baseball historian.
• Conversation centers on the Little League World Series and the rich baseball history of West Tampa.
• The Alessi Bakers baseball team & Joe Magadan
• The rise and changes of West Tampa Little League since the 1960s.
• Community roots in immigrant cigar families and neighborhood culture.
• Legendary players from the area, including Lou Piniella, Tony La Russa, Tino Martinez, Luis Gonzalez, David Mgadan, and more.
• Ricky Alfonso (“The Cat”) won 3 championships at Tampa Catholic High School - rained out in 1 championshiop
• How adversity in baseball has made Mike find new ways to work effectively
• Discussion on community bonds through baseball – from families in the stands to generational connections.
• Mike shares stories about his grandson Julian’s baseball journey, including playing in Batavia and transitioning into coaching.
• Conversation shifts to Mike’s songwriting career, his reflections on Tampa, and how he weaves faith and community into his music.
• Closing thoughts on how baseball, family, and faith intertwine to shape lasting memories and future opportunities.

Mike Baluja's music can be found on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDd6iuGXDYGuVntiu-joe6g

You can find Mat at @matgermain.bsky.social or reach Mark at baseballbizondeck@gmail.com BaseballBiz on Deck, at iHeart Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, and at www.baseballbizOnDeck.com

Rick Vaughn’s book "Tampa Spring Training Tales," brings the past to life & opens up a wealth of enjoyable stories including the Chicago Cubs, Tampa Smokers, Reds, White Sox & Red Sox @ historic Plant & Al Lopez Fields
Ted Williams, Wade Boggs, Pete Rose and Al Lopez are just a few of the people we discuss this week on Florida BaseballBiz with Rick.

• “Chubby” Cubs owner is enamored with Tampa
• 100th years of Spring Training
• Tampa Mayor McKay was also Publisher
• Wrigley moves Cubs from Tampa to out West
• 1952 – Yankees celebrated their 50th anniversary at Columbia restaurant
• 1955 World Series winners receive their awards in Tampa
• Reds extraordinary long-lasting relationship with Tampa Bay
• Big Red Machine first gathers in Tampa
• Al Lopez Field tore down as interest in Major League team rises
• Yankees Core Four
• Wade Boggs discovers he is going to the show from Johnny Bench
• 100 Major Leaguers came through Plant Field & Al Lopez Field
• 1940 All-Star game in Tampa for Finnish Relief Fund with Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams, Jimmy Foxx, Hank Greenberg and Bob Feller
• Segregation of players by color – they could not stay at the same hotels
• Cardinals bought Outrigger motel in St. Pete so they could house all players at 1 location
• Tampa Bay Hotel proximity to Plant Field
• Babe Ruth’s longest Home Run, 587 feet, hit at Plant Field on April 4, 1919
• Ted Williams spits at fans first in Tampa
• Tim Kurkjian of ESPN – good friend and sounding board
• Frank Howard & Ted Willams story
• Tampa Smokers, St. Pete Saints and a bull fight
• Baseball as a unifier amongst the many cultures in Ybor / Tampa
• 1963 – Pete Rose – Rookie Year – Charlie Hustle emerges
• JFK at Al Lopez Field
• Charitable work with Metropolitan Mission, Clearwater Youth & the Homeless Empowerment Program.
• Rick also keeps score for Florida Complex League

Special Thanks to Williams Ross Chernoff's Nomads for the music Makie Elkino
Notes generated in part by DeScript

Tony Ciccarello, a West Tampa native with deep baseball roots, talks about the role of baseball in the West Tampa community, where it’s woven into the local culture and heritage.

• Excitement of Baseball in Tampa with the Rays
• Growing Up with Baseball: baseball was integral to his upbringing, with influences from his father and community leaders
• "Baseball Was My Life" Book Discussion: Mark and Tony discuss the book Baseball Was My Life, by Mary Jo Melone and Art Keeble
• West Tampa’s Baseball Successes: Tony shares the story of his Little League team, which was the first from Florida to reach the Little League World Series in 1967.
• Cultural Unity Through Baseball: Mark and Tony touch on how baseball brought together diverse cultures in West Tampa, including families of immigrants - Cuban, Spanish, Italian, and German communities.
• Little League World Series Memories
• Senior League Triumphs: In 1970, the core of Tony’s Little League team continued their success, winning the Senior League World Series in Gary, Indiana, against international teams from Europe, Canada, Puerto Rico, and Mexico.
• West Tampa’s Legacy and Community Contributions: Tony talks about the image on the book cover, featuring men who built the West Tampa concession stand, including his father and former Tampa Mayor Nick Nuccio.
• The Shift from Little League to Travel Ball:
• Lifelong Friendships Formed Through Baseball: Tony expresses gratitude for the lifelong friendships he’s maintained with former teammates, highlighting the enduring bonds created through playing in West Tampa.
• Legacy of West Tampa Baseball and Community Spirit:
• Series Commentary
• Community Roots & Family Connections
• Saturday Night Games & Youth Baseball
• Long-Lasting Friendships (00:26:39)
• World Series 2024 & Rays 2020 Memories
• Kevin Cash is a Genius
• The Value of Youth Sports Facilities
• Reference Notes & Links
  • West Tampa Little League - https://www.thewesttampall.org/
  • Baseball Was My Life the Stories of West Tampa
    Melone, Mary Jo & Keeble, Art https://hcplc.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S142C603382

Special Thanks to Williams Ross Chernoff's Nomads for the music Makie Elkino

Show Notes created in part by ChatGPT