LAKE MARY, Fla. – Coming off an unforgettable 2024, the Lake Mary Little League celebrated the start of its 2025 season Friday night.
“We put this place on the map,” said Coach Jonathan Anderson. “It’s a big deal.”
News 6 spoke to Anderson before a parade ushering in the new season Friday. When asked about his team’s status as defending Little League World Series champions, the coach gave all the credit to his players.
“We hope to produce a team quality enough to possibly do it again,” he said.
Last year’s championship team from Lake Mary was the first in the state of Florida to ever with a Little League World Series.
[EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos]
“I think we’re going to go back and win it again,” said DJ Mieses, the only player from last year’s team eligible to return to Williamsport this coming year.
The league is seeing its highest participation ever, according to data from the Lake Mary Little League.
Enrollment in baseball is up nearly five percent, while softball has increased by more than 12 percent.
“We are bigger than we’ve ever been,” said Jessica Davis, a softball coach and league board member. “We really see some great things here in the future for our program.”
Last year, the girls’ 12 and under and 11 and under teams were crowned state champions. This year, they hope to go even further.
“I really want the girls’ softball team to go as far as they can to experience what the boys did,” said Anderson. “It’s a cool experience and they deserve it, as well.”
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily:
