2025 Tampa Bay Tiburones Celebrate Their Third Central Florida 30+ Division Title
Central Florida Amateur Baseball League, 30+ Competitive
Tampa Bay Tiburones 5, Brandon Bombers 4
Submitted by Erick Rodriguez, manager
The Tampa Bay Tiburones have emerged as a dominant force in the CFABL 30+ Men’s Recreational Baseball League, securing the championship title for the third consecutive season. This latest victory marks the fourth straight year we have reached the league’s final game, a streak that speaks to our consistency, resilience, and competitive fire.
The 2025 championship was our hardest-fought in our history. The final score was 5–4, with the winning run scored in the bottom of the eighth inning. Pablo Muñoz sparked the rally with an infield hit, advanced to second on a bunt by Jorgito Diaz, reached third on a wild pitch, and ultimately crossed home plate on another wild pitch, sealing our third title in dramatic fashion.
Our journey began in March 2023, when one of us discovered the league online and joined the Tampa Angels to try out and experience structured competition. Prior to forming the Tiburones, many of us had spent five to six years playing pick-up baseball every Sunday in Hillsborough County, gathering whenever a field was available. These informal games built camaraderie and chemistry among players who had long competed with and against one another. Interest in forming an official team grew after learning about organized leagues in the area.
Following a practice session, a group of us came together and committed to building a competitive squad. Leadership was taken on by Erick Rodriguez, Alain Garcia, and Arfor Garcia, who initiated a group message to vote on the team’s name and logo. The name selection came down to a choice between English and Spanish, and given our Hispanic roots, “Tiburones” was chosen. The logo, a fierce shark image found online, was customized to match our uniform colors.
Our original roster of 25 players was eventually trimmed to a smaller, more disciplined group. Those of us who remained were the most committed to the team’s goals, consistently attending weekday practices and putting in extra work to improve. That dedication paid off quickly.
In our inaugural season, we reached the championship final but fell to the Clearwater Hurricanes. The loss was especially painful, as we had rallied from a 5–0 deficit and felt we still had time left when the game was cut short in the eighth inning. That moment became a turning point. We resolved never to leave the outcome of a game in someone else’s hands again. From that point forward, we committed to being the architects of our own success.
Since then, we have defeated the Plant City Skyhawks, Clearwater Megalodons, and most recently, the Brandon Bombers in championship play. Our three consecutive titles represent an unprecedented achievement in the history of the CFABL 30+ Men’s Rec League.
We are here to compete. Our journey from Sunday pick-up games to league champions is a testament to our unity, discipline, and hunger to win. As we continue to defend our title, one thing is clear: the championship will have to be pried from the jaws of the Tiburones!