BASEBALL, the AMERICANS way!

WHAT PLAYERS NEED TO KNOW BEFORE THEY DECIDE TO PLAY AS AMERICANS:

1. Know your AMERICANS History! Playing for the Americans is like entering into an exclusive ageless club, you respect the tradition and the veterans who are still playing. As the "FNG" (the ____ New Guy!) or rookie tread lightly and let the Vets accept you or ride you all season long. If you don't have thick skin---reconsider your decision.

FROM 1980-1984, THE AMERICANS TEAM WERE FIRST PROUDLY CALLED THE "SUDS" AS IN BEER “SUDS”. OUR MOTTO & PRE-GAME CHEER COMING OUT for OUR PRE-GAME MEETING EVERY GAME (INCLUDING IN STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS, REGIONALS, & NATIONAL COMPETITION) WAS "SEX, SUDS, & ROCK-N-ROLL!"--- WE HAVE COME ALONG WAY SINCE THEN & NOW, THERE STILL SOME OF US WHO EITHER STILL LIVE BY IT OR JUST REMEMBER THOSE WILD CHEERS IN OUR HEARTS & MINDS. OUR 1ST GAME WAS JUNE 30, 1980 AT VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK (JOHN ROACH PARK IN ’80) VS VERO BEACH. WE LOST 6-1 & KEITH GREEN GOT OUR 1ST HIT EVER , A LINE DRIVE TO RIGHTFIELD IN THE 1ST INNING. WE FINISHED with our first ever winning  season at 9-7 record in our 1st Season.

WE are presently in OUR 29th SEASON WITH AN AWESOME LIFETIME TEAM RECORD & STILL COUNTING (located on the home page at the bottom). THAT’S MEANS THE AMERICANS HAVE MAINTAIN A PROUD TRADITION OF FUN & EXCELLENCE FOR OVER A QUARTER OF A CENTURY! RESPECT OUR TRADITION and NEVER take it lightly or for granted.

Americans HALL OF FAME Members:

• #33- Troy Cox, Manager of the Americans and Founder of the Florida Space Coast Baseball League since 1980 (29 years)
• #28- Darrell Miller, Pitcher of 50 wins; Americans greatest pinch hitter; Life time Batting Average over .300; still playing (29 years)
• #14- John Ziccard, 3 time FSCBL MVP; Greatest All-Time Hitter; All Time Leader in Homeruns; Retired--Number Retired (23 years)
• #6-  Trey Waters, THE GLOVE; Americans Clean up hitter for 10 years; Best Clutch hitter/RBI man for years; still playing (25 years)
• #2-  David Darrah, Pitcher, Hitter, fielder, Stat man, and 'Little Kahuna" on different teams. Pitching is where he has excel with the Americans especially in World Series play; still playing. (18 years)
• #2-  Russ Manion, 'Suds" Pitcher who dominated in the early years; good hitter and great 2nd basemen; Retired (8 years)
• #8-  Mike Lanum, Ex-Pro Shortstop who played for the "Suds"; Great Lead-off man; Gold Glove; Retired (8 years)
• #9- Reed Harrison, Excellent Team Player and outfielder; Hit for average, power, and RBIs; League MVP; Retired (10 years)
• #7- Cole Flanagan, Excellent Outfielder and arm; Pitch late in his years and performed well; good power; Retired (15 years)
• The Original "Palm Bay Suds" Team (1980) is also included in our Hall of Fame with special recognition due to the following original players known as the "Sudsensations" by local radio: Troy Cox (3B); Bill Dalton (SS-OF); Mike Cox (C-3B); Mike Cryder (1B); Gary Orrison (CF); Mike Alfrano (2B); Ray Morin (P); Mike Miles (P); Keith Green (LF); Jim Douberly (RF); Mike Lanum (SS-C); Russ Manion (P-INF); Tim Wilson (P); Jim Carroll (C); Bobby Patton (DH-C); Mark Mellen (DH); Rich Otto (INF); Harry Johnson (P); Mike Pittman (OF); Darrell Miller (OF-P); and Earl Palamore (P)                                                                        

2.  PROUD TRADITION: Americans today still have a long standing Proud Tradition and an on-going successful history of play. THE TEAM CONCEPT must be respected, adhered to, & present at all times especially on the field of play. FUN, FELLOWSHIP, & COMMITMENT are important TEAM GOALS each season. Americans must excel under adverse conditions, overcome personal setbacks, & stick together as a TEAM and literally a second FAMILY. Americans are fun-seekers, but focused on the mission of playing baseball to win. WE ARE BASEBALL PLAYERS, not players who want to exercise at the game of baseball. BASEBALL is part of an AMERICAN's life-----it's in our spirit; our soul----forever a BASEBALL PLAYER! When it truly happens to you, that's when you are no longer an "FNG" and become an Americans Player. "Once an American; Always An American"---it's our credo; motto; & legacy! You will always be welcome if you have the passion it takes to be an American!

3.   COMMITMENT:  AMERICANS MUST BE COMMITTED, COMPETITIVE, & NEVER TAKE YOUR TEAMMATES TOO SERIOUS. AMERICANS KNOW HOW TO WIN & WILL. WE ARE BROTHERS IN BATTLE & IN FUN. WE WILL ALWAYS WIN MORE THAN WE LOSE. BUT WIN OR LOSE, THERE’S ALWAYS BEER TO BE TOSSED DOWN & ANOTHER GAME TO PLAY COMING UP SOON. WE WILL DO WHAT IT TAKES TO GET THERE, PLAY THE GAME, AND BATTLE TO THE END NO MATTER WHO WE PLAY. WE WON’T WIN THEM ALL, BUT OVER 29 YEARS, WE HAVE WON ABOUT 73% OF ALL OUR GAMES PLAYED----AN EXCELLENT TRADITION TO LIVE UP TO EACH SEASON.

4.. FINANCIAL OBLIGATION:  ALL AMERICANS PAY FOR THEIR PLAYING FEES, TRAVEL & LODGING EXPENSES, & UNIFORMS.
PAYMENT PLANS ARE POSSIBLE IF YOU STICK TO THE PAYMENT PLAN. CREDIT CARDS ARE ACCEPTED ON THE WEBSITE FOR ALL FEES & UNIFORMS.

WE HAVE NO PATIENCE & TOLERANCE FOR SPECIAL INDIVIDUALS WHO WISH SPECIAL TREATMENT. WE DO HOWEVER HAVE A FUND FOR NEEDY PLAYERS IF THEY SHOW COMMITMENT UNDER SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES.

5.  ATTENDANCE:  ATTENDANCE IS HIGHLY STRESSED BY THE BIG KAHUNA. FIRST, HE CAN LEARN YOUR NAME!  SECOND, THE MORE TIME YOU PUT IN, THE MORE VALUABLE YOU WILL BE AS A TEAM MEMBER AT MEETINGS, PRACTICES, FUNDRAISERS, LEAGUE GAMES, TOURNAMENTS, & THE WORLD SERIES. THINGS HAPPEN, BUT WE WANT YOU OUT THERE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. COMMUNICATE WITH BIG K, THE COACH! (IMPORTANT!)--WHEN YOU CAN NOT ATTEND. HE NEEDS TO KNOW & THE TEAM WON’T HATE YOU. GOLF, NASCAR, FISHING, BOWLING, & SOFTBALL ARE NOT REASONS TO MISS GAMES…….IT’S BEEN DONE ALREADY! TRY SOMETHING MORE INVENTIVE LIKE AN “ACT OF GOD”, WORK, SCHOOL, ILLNESS, FUNERALS, THE WIFE TIED ME UP WHEN I WAS SLEEPING, WORKING ON MY TRUCK, & Alien Abduction? THESE EXCUSES ALL HAVE BEEN USED TOO.
MAKE SURE IT’S IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO WHERE YOUR TEAMMATES WILL NOT BADGER YOU UNTIL “HELL FREEZES OVER”………ASK ZMAN, THE MASTER EXCUSE MAKER OF ALL TIME.

6.  PAY YOUR WAY:  ALL AMERICANS ARE REQUIRED TO PAY THEIR OWN "TABS OR BILLS” AT ANY “AFTER GAME” ESTABLISHMENT OR TEAM SOCIAL. IT’S EASIER TO STAY FRIENDS THIS WAY.

7. TEAM GAME RULES: THE UNOFFICIAL “PLAYER KANGAROO COURT” HAS BEEN REINSTATED FOR BEERS AFTER GAMES.

Pitcher or Bucket of BEER penalties are as follows:
a.  Not making first pitch of the game without calling the BIG Kahuna.
b.  Not in proper Uniform Colors for the Game. (Heartbreak Ridge baby)
c.  No show to a Game without notice to the BIG Kahuna.
d.  Missing a Signal or refusing a Signal on the bases.
e.  Being picked off base.
f.   Balk; wild pitch; or passed ball that cost us a RUN or a Game!
g.  Mental error that cost us a Run or the Game!
h.  Fielding error that cost us a Run or the Game!
i    Arguing with the BIG KAHUNA (just not smart)
j    Arguing with the BIG KAHUNA unprotected (just plain dumb)
k.  Call Out on strikes looking!!! (Swing the bat Sally!)
l.   3 or more strikeouts in a game (hat trick)
m. Anything deemed baseball dumb & inappropriate by the Big Kahuna .

8. Traditions that are SACRED: "Never forget these Rules!"

A. NO WOMEN OR CHILDREN in the DUGOUT at anytime prior to a Game or during a Game. It's absolutely a curse to the team proven too many times on the field-----just don't do it!
B. Always bring all your uniforms to any game. Be prepared for any uniform change (Heartbreak Ridge Baby!)

C.  Most important of all, the BIG KAHUNA is the ultimate authority on all decisions made for the Americans. After 29 years, he has earned it. Respect whatever decisions are made as a TEAM Decision. Directives may be tactful, maybe not in some cases, but the BIG Kahuna has the experience, knowledge, game pace savy, and knows his players well. You may not agree with some decisions, but it is his decision to make in the end. Do not ever cause problems in a game. You may discuss any issues you have after any game. Buying beers works best----no promises that it will work out----at least not until the first 12 pack is gone. By the way, BIG K drinks Coors Light these days and he likes it ice cold.

Well, that's it and it is truly enough to test your sanity. Being an Americans Player does not necessarily make you better than other Baseball Players, but if you listen, you work at it, and commit yourself you will improve and learn how to win! Being an American is truly special and unique experience. Americans have had countless memorable moments on & off the field.  Good Memories, Good Baseball, and Life Long Friends!

Note:  The Book and Movie deal is in the works, but it will never capture the REAL Americans and the truth of their adventures; Only the REAL Americans will know the TRUTH which can never be fully revealed.

WELCOME TO ANOTHER CHAPTER IN THE AMERICANS STORY!!! (if you dare)