2025 MSBL/MABL Player Profile: Rich Cleveland, Central Florida Amateur Baseball League
By Steve LaMontia-Carlentini, Director of Communications
Florida is a hotbed of amateur baseball, especially in the younger divisions. There are so many colleges representing so many divisions, and these guys want somewhere to play when their collegiate career is over. When you factor in the young adults who played high school ball but can’t quite compete on the college scene, you have many people who want to stay active in our great game in the great baseball state of Florida.
That’s where Rich Cleveland and his 18-over North Tampa Tomahawks come in. The 61-year-old Cleveland isn’t a 95 MPH flamethrower or someone who rattles the fences. He is a guy who loves the game, conveys his baseball knowledge to all who will give him the opportunity, and gives the kids a place to play in the Tampa area.
Rich and I recently chatted about his approach and his experience with the kids. Coaching in an 18-over division certainly takes a deft touch and a dose of psychology!
“I don’t play anymore but will grab a bat or a glove if we are short,” said Rich. “I’m not too good at catching up to 90 anymore, so I’ll stay in the dugout where it’s safe. I’ll stick to coaching.”
The CFMABL is spread all around Florida and supervised by 2016 MSBL Honor Roll member and 2023 MSBL Man of the Year Aaron Eberhardt.
“I have been a long-time coach in the Babe Ruth league and had two sons who played. Our Babe Ruth teams were state championship caliber, and a bunch of the guys wanted to keep playing. That’s when we found out about the league.”
The ones who stayed and didn’t go to college formed our team. These were All-star caliber players. We started in the recreational division and did very well. We have been in the league since 2019 and moved up to the competitive division in 2021.
The league used to be only one competition level, and to Aaron’s credit, he was watching closely and decided after a couple of years to split into a recreational and a competitive level. Nobody enjoys a 20-3 game, no matter what side you’re on. So, we moved up.”
They certainly made the correct decision. The league is split between a spring and a fall division, and in 2024, his North Tampa Tomahawks won both of the competitive division championships.
“We have won three times overall since 2019 and recently won the fall and the previous spring in 2024 to go back-to-back. Spring usually runs into summer because of so much rain, as 50% of our games get rained out in the summer. Sometimes the rainouts delay the beginning of the fall season in October!”
Rich remains on the board of directors for the local Babe Ruth league, which also gives him an up-close look at the players climbing the talent ladder in Florida.
I asked Rich what he felt was the reason for his Tomahawk’s continued success in such a competitive atmosphere.
“After 20+ years of coaching, the difference is being able to nurture commitment and passion. It’s hard to deal with a young person’s life pulls and tugs, but passion is what sets them apart. Other teams just show up on Sundays to play, but we practice every Thursday. I would like to think that it sets us apart a little.
It also teaches the guys commitment and responsibility, so it is also a good life lesson. Regarding practicing or not practicing, it is sort of like attempting to do well in school without ever doing the homework.”
The Tomahawks consist of a mix of guys who have played college and guys who have played high school. After unforeseen injuries or setbacks from the fast track of college baseball, they have regained their passion and want to keep playing. That represents the inner workings of Rich’s team.
“I love the league and am happy to be a part of it. The league has seven teams right now in the competitive division, so the talent pool is nicely spread around. We are struggling a little right now and playing .500 ball, but hopefully we’ll get back to form.”
Any plans for traveling for tournament ball?
“We all want to do tournaments, but young guys don’t have money and can’t travel. An 18-year-old guy has enough trouble filling the gas tank and buying CD’s! There might be a tournament later in the year in nearby Davenport, which is about an hour and a half away. That might work since they can come home every night.”
Rich is all about passion and integrity for the game. He has a knack of being able to recognize the players who are all in.
“A kid recently wanted to play in the league so we allowed him to come to one of our practices. His skill level didn’t warrant the competitive division, so I helped him hook up with a rec team.
But his love of the game and his passion and hustle were off the charts. I told him to do his best this year, and we will welcome him to the Tomahawks next season. His attitude is infectious. Sometimes, it’s about more than possessing the five tools.”