Charlotte Stone Crabs

Charlotte Stone Crabs Founded in 1980 Port Charlotte, Florida Based in Port Charlotte since 2009
Team Logo Cap Insignia
Class-level
Class A Advanced (1980–present)
Minor league affiliations
Florida State League (1980–present) South Division
Major league affiliations
Tampa Bay Rays (2007–present) Los Angeles Dodgers (1980–2006)
Name
Charlotte Stone Crabs (2009–present) Vero Beach Devil Rays (2007–2008) Vero Beach Dodgers (1980–2006)
Ballpark
Charlotte Sports Park (2009–present) Holman Stadium (1980–2008)
Minor league titles
League titles	1983, 1990
Division titles	1983, 1990, 2009, 2010
Owner(s)/Operated by: Cal Ripken, Jr., Ripken Baseball
Manager: Jim Morrison
General Manager: Joe Hart

The Charlotte Stone Crabs are a minor league baseball team based in Port Charlotte, Florida. The team are currently members of the Florida State League and are the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays Major League Baseball team.

The Stone Crabs were originally the Vero Beach Dodgers (later the Vero Beach Devil Rays), who played in Vero Beach, Florida from 1980–2008. The team relocated to Port Charlotte after being purchased by Ripken Baseball. They play their home games at Charlotte Sports Park. The team is named for the Florida stone crab, which is indigenous to the Charlotte County region.

Notable players

The Charlotte Stone Crabs have had many Major League players in their existence. Jake McGee was the first Stone Crabs player to make it to the majors. B. J. Upton, on a rehab assignment in April 2009, was the first batter in franchise history. Other big leaguers who have spent time with the Stone Crabs include: Rocco Baldelli, Grant Balfour, Jason Bartlett, Chad Bradford, Pat Burrell, Brad Hawpe, Jeremy Hellickson, Matt Joyce, Scott Kazmir, Carlos Pena, Fernando Perez, Shawn Riggans, Brian Shouse, Andy Sonnanstine, and Mitch Talbot.

History

The Charlotte Stone Crabs were formerly known as the Vero Beach Dodgers, later the Vero Beach Devil Rays. The franchise was founded in 1980, and played at Holman Stadium, the former spring training home of the Los Angeles Dodgers. On August 25, 2008, it was announced that the Vero Beach franchise was sold to Ripken Baseball, which resulted in the move to Charlotte County, Florida.

The Stone Crabs play their home games at Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte, Florida, the former spring training home of the Texas Rangers.

On December 20, the team announced that Jim Morrison will return as manager, having managed the Vero Beach team in 2008.

In their first season in Port Charlotte, the Stone Crabs won the FSL South division title but lost the league title to the Tampa Yankees three games to two.

Roster

Charlotte Stone Crabs roster
Players				Coaches/Other
Pitchers 38 Chris Andujar 39 Alexander Colome 35 Felix Fuentes ‡ 24 Michael Jarman 30 Merrill Kelly 27 Alex Koronis 21 Adam Liberatore 14 Kyle Lobstein 34 Deivis Mavarez 11 Josh Satow 23 Scott Shuman 26 Matthew Stabelfeld -- Albert Suarez * 36 Jacob Thompson  8 Kirby Yates		Catchers 19 Mayobanex Acosta 22 Jake Jefferies  7 Mark Thomas Infielders 16 Tyler Bortnick  7 Orrala Erick 10 Matthew Hall  3 Hak-Ju Lee  6 Omar Luna 20 Michael Sheridan Outfielders 28 Dustin Biell 17 Reid Fronk 25 Ty Morrison  1 Christopher Murrill  5 Brett Nommensen  9 Anthony Scelfo		Manager  2 Jim Morrison Coaches 33 Joe Szekely (hitting) 18 Steve Watson (pitching) -- Scott Smith (strength) 7-day disabled list * On Tampa Bay Rays 40-man roster ∞ Reserve list § Suspended list ‡ Restricted list # Rehab assignment Roster updated July 8, 2011 Transactions → More rosters

External links

• Official Charlotte Stone Crabs website
• "Ripken Baseball buys Vero Beach franchise" FSL news