Packer Parents

Largo High Anthem Singer Ready To Rock Again (VIDEO)

George Petrilyak put his music career aside to raise his family. Now, with his son graduating, he’s hoping to resurrect his career.

Usually at high school sporting events, the national anthem is either a recording or sung by a member of the student body.  But for the past two years, attendees of Largo High School baseball games have been treated to a different kind of anthem — one that comes from the lungs of George Petrilyak, a 47-year-old Brooklyn native who idolizes Frank Sinatra and sounds like one of the Five Tenors.  No, Petrilyak isn’t your typical high school anthem singer. But after hearing his stirring rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner,” followed by the claps and cheers that accompany it, you’ll find yourself wishing every anthem sounded as good as his. “I usually get several compliments on it, from coaches and fans of the other teams,” Petrilyak told …

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Packer Parents

Packers Drop Regular Season Opener to Tarpon Springs, 11-1

The two teams squared off in the Winning Inning Invitational at Jack Russell Stadium on Tuesday.

Editor's Note: Author Jeff Rosenfield is a "Packer Parent" — his son is a member of the baseball program. If you're a Packer Parent, too, contact us at largo@patch.com to contribute info or photos of your child's team, or share them in a blog post or in the Largo Patch Pics & Clips gallery!   Pitchers and catchers reported to major league spring training camps on Monday morning, and the 2013 high school baseball season officially began as well for a number of area teams. The Winning Inning/Clearwater High School Invitational kicked off on Monday at Jack Russell Stadium, with Largo High and Clearwater participating along with other area teams such as Clearwater Central Catholic, Indian Rocks Christian and Tarpon Springs. Tuesday afternoon, …

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Packer Parents

Largo High Baseball Coach Optimistic About Upcoming Season

New players, new uniforms and plenty of pitching have Dan Flynn believing his team can turn the corner despite a challenging schedule.

Editor's Note: Author Jeff Rosenfield is a "Packer Parent" — his son is a member of the baseball program. If you're a Packer Parent, too, contact us at largo@patch.com to contribute info or photos of your child's team, or share them in a blog post or in the Largo Patch Pics & Clips gallery! There was a distinct chill in the air at Largo High School on Friday night, but it felt like spring for the members and supporters of the Packers varsity baseball team. The squad took to the expertly manicured field for the annual Blue/Gold intrasquad game, sporting sharp new uniforms and new hope that this could be the year they make a mark in the county. Head coach Dan Flynn, in his second year leading the Packers, believes his team will improve on …

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Greater Largo Little League Seniors Head to Southeast Regional Tournament

Monday night's win sent Largo to Melbourne this weekend to represent the state of Florida in the Southeast Regional Tournament.

Monday night was a time of anticipation and high hopes when both Greater Largo Little League and Dade City’s Little League Senior All-star teams took the field at Largo High School.   Largo didn’t hesitate to put runs on the board in the top of the first inning setting the bar with a 2 – 0 score.  Dade City attempted to battle back but left runners on the bases with no scoring runs.  Andrew Murphy # 2, centerfielder from Largo threw out the Dade City runner Kaleb Johnson # 7 as he was attempting to put the first run on the board for his team.   By the top of the 4thstill no runs scored for either team Travis Carden # 4 for Largo hit a homerun sailing over right field bringing the score to 3 – 0.  Again the Dade City players battled to …

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Collect 'Em All: Big League Baseball Cards

Collect all the District 12 all stars, from Dunedin, Clearwater, Largo and Palm Harbor, who played their way into the Big League World Series in Easley, SC.

The District 12 all stars played their way into the Big League World Series in Easley, SC. The team was comprised of players from Dunedin, Clearwater, Largo and Palm Harbor. They represented Florida and the southeastern United States in Easley from July 26 to their final game on July 30. Coaches included: Matt Morrow, Donny Schnitzhofer, Alex Libby and Cameron Oxiner. See All Related Coverage:

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Largo Seniors Play in Championship Game Tonight

Largo plays Dade City at 7 p.m. in Largo.

Wanna cheer for the Greater Largo Little League's Senior team? Play starts at Largo High School tonight at 7 p.m. The Largo Seniors made it to the championship game after a weekend of tournament games. The Largo team started the tournament at Largo High School Friday night, also playing against Dade City.

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Melissa Lattman

6:03 pm on Monday, July 30, 2012

Another update from Largo Little League's Facebook page- tonight's game has been moved to Largo High School due to weather conditions. Start time is still 7 p.m.   more ›

Please Welcome the 'Commissioner of Patch Baseball'

All-Star first baseman Mark Teixeira will offer regular features, provide baseball tips and answer your baseball questions throughout the 2012 season.

Patch has appointed New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira as the Commissioner of Patch Baseball. The two-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove Award winner will interact with Patch users on the company's network of more than 850 sites this baseball season by regularly responding to your questions, sharing baseball tips, and posting exclusive videos. Teixeira will also offer young athletes advice on how to stay in shape and why healthful eating is so important for optimal performance. “I live in a Patch town now and I keep tabs on my original hometown via the Patch site there, so I’ve seen the ways that Patch supports its communities,” Teixeira said. “I’m excited to be a part of that by connecting with Patch users who have the same …

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Largo High Coaches Making Baseball Their Business

Dan Flynn and John Hendrick are trying to build the Largo baseball program from the ground up.

When John Hendrick opened his bar, Finley’s Irish Pub, at the opposite end of the plaza from Dan Flynn’s State Farm insurance agency in 2008, it didn’t take long for the two to become fast friends. The pair had a lot in common, being independent business owners and former baseball players with supportive wives and a passion for life. In fact, Flynn attended the wedding of John and his wife, Emily, and Emily wound up working in Dan’s office.  But as close as the two had become in the time they had known each other, neither one ever expected they would be working so closely together in the evenings as they did during the day.  Last September, after two years as an assistant, Flynn was named head coach of the Largo High School baseball team. …

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Outfielder Colin Lonsberry's Hitting Streak Led Team in State Championship

The Largo Senior Little Leaguer played a big part in his team winning its first state championship

Largo Senior Little League head coach Bob Gibree had no explanation for outfielder Colin Lonsberry’s hot hitting streak during his team’s run to the state championship earlier this month. “He had a two-run homer and a grand slam in the sectionals, and he had a grand slam in the states, plus another home run," Gibree said last week. "He was crazy in the middle of our batting order, just crazy.” You can forgive the coach for acting incredulous over his player’s accomplishments, since the Clearwater High junior can hardly explain it himself. “I was just hitting the ball really well. I don’t think I’ve ever done that good hitting,” the humble 16-year-old said after his team was eliminated in the Southeast Regional ten days earlier. “I was just…

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Historic Run Leaves Largo Little Leaguers in Select Company

Disappointed at not reaching the World Series, players and coaches are proud to be the first Largo team to win the state title.

There’s an old saying in sports: only one team is happy at the end of the season. It means only the champs truly feel like celebrating once the dust has settled and the trophy has been raised. But despite falling one victory short of a chance to play for a trip to the World Series, the 2011 postseason will always be considered a happy time for the Largo Little League Seniors All Stars. “It was a great experience. I’ll never have this experience again” said Colin Lonsberry, outfielder who hit four homers including two grand slams during the postseason.  “I know for sure I’m going to remember this for the rest of my life.” Lonsberry wasn’t alone in expressing his satisfaction at what the team accomplished. Head coach Bob Gibree, who has …

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