Sports
New Brookhaven Summer Baseball Team Starts Play in June
The Brookhaven Bucks is Atlanta Sunbelt Baseball League's newest team
Brookhaven is poised to join Atlanta's college baseball scene - the summer league scene, that is.
The Brookhaven Bucks - the only summer league team inside the Perimeter - is Atlanta Sunbelt Baseball League's newest team. The Sunbelt League is a five-year-old organization with nine teams throughout Metro Atlanta. It is one of the many summer season college baseball leagues nationwide.
Cambridge Park resident and team owner John Davis, a Brookhaven realtor for Bravo Realty Consulting, said he is looking forward to an exciting season of college baseball right here in Brookhaven.
"I think it's a good fit for the Brookhaven community where baseball is hugely popular. I think it'll be a good activity," Davis said. "It's going to be a good place to take your kids. We'll have little league teams come out and practice with us. The players will be very accessible to the fans."
The summer leagues give players dreaming of the big leagues a resource to develop their baseball skills and keep playing during the off season with the help of experienced college baseball coaches.
"The Atlanta Braves discovered [Atlanta Braves pitcher] Brandon Beachy playing for a summer league team," Davis said.
Beyond the competition of the game, Davis said he hopes the league will provide a sense of responsibility and a fun environment for the players. Everyone on the team, he said, must complete community service.
The Bucks recruited 28 players from several regional colleges, including Oglethorpe University, Middle Georgia College, North Georgia College, Georgia State University, Kennesaw State University, Southern Polytechnic State University, Georgia Southern University, Emory University, Louisiana State University, Florida State University, The University of Mississippi, Mississippi State University, and the University of Georgia. .
"We're lucky because we have a dynamite venue at Oglethorpe University. We have 14 home games, and all will be played at Oglethorpe," said Davis.
The Bucks will host two games weekly at Oglethorpe - Thursday night and Saturday afternoon. Tickets are $4 for adults, and $2 for kids.
Sponsorship for the team is provided by Brookhaven Bank, Sweet Home Atlanta Keller Williams Realty, State Farm Insurance Cheryl Parsel, Pub 71, Galla's Pizza, Icebox Promotions, and Costco.
The Brookhaven Bucks will host its first game at Oglethorpe on June 4.
