2025 Clearwater Rays ‘Repeat’ as Champs in 40+ Weeknight Division of Central Florida Amateur Baseball League

Central Florida Amateur Baseball League, 40+ Weeknight Division

Clearwater Rays 5, Tribe 4

‘Rays Pull Off ‘Repeat’ Title in 2025’

After winning the championship last year in the inaugural season of the CFABL 40+ Weeknight League in 2024, the Clearwater Rays returned with a bulk of their roster, but also had a few key pickups.

Player/Manager Chris “Oley” Olsen and third-base Coach/PH David “Turtle” Dolgin guided the Rays to a first-place finish with an 8-2-1 record.

The infield was shored up by first basemen Chris Olsen and Carlos Gonzalez, second baseman Craig Bollman, shortstop MIguel Acosta, and third basemen Elvin Chirinos and Anthony Vazquez.

The outfield was manned by Tommy Jasper, Rich Philippi, Mike Roberts, Juan Vazquez, and Jeff Moore.

Cathers Alfonso Cornett and Eric Rodriquez handled the pitching staff of Greg Byrne, Bret Roberts, Rich Philippi, and Rich Lee.

The lineup was shored up by DHs Eddie Maldonado, Lee Carilli, Nick Peters, and David Dolgin.

The Rays cruised to a 16-1 win over the Royals (0-10) in the first round of the playoffs.

After lightning stopped our winners’ bracket semifinal game in the second inning, down 2-0, we resumed a week later and gave up six runs in the top of the third. Now down 8-0, the Clearwater Rays showed their true character and grit, clawing back to tie the game 8-8 in the eighth.

In extra innings, the Tampa Angels (7-4) put up a run in the 11th, but the resilient Rays tied the game and loaded the bases, when ‘Walk Off’ Eddie Maldonado gets hit on the hands with a pitch, as the Rays pulled off the improbable comeback to win 10-9. Rays starter Rich Philippi threw eight shut-out innings after a rough third to keep the Rays in the game as the offense hit their way back.

The Clearwater Rays completed the journey and repeated as the 40+ Weeknight Champions with a 5-4 victory over the Tribe (5-5-1). The Rays pulled off another walk-off win in the bottom of the ninth, when Tommy Jasper laced a single to left that was nearly shoe-strung caught.

The Clearwater Rays had an incredible season and playoff run with stellar pitching and defense, and an unstoppable offense all season long!