The Florida Winter Baseball League , based in Miami, Florida , is a professional baseball organization located in Florida . It is based in Pompano Beach, Florida .
75-645: The Florida Winter Baseball League (FWBL) was a professional sports league, which began its inaugural season in October 2009. The FWBL was a four team league which planned to play a 60-game schedule through the winter months in various Floridian markets. It was planned to feature players from the low levels of the minors, rookie leagues and A ball. The league featured teams from Cocoa , Miami , Lake County and Seminole County . The FWBL suspended operations on November 18, 2009 after completing 25% of its inaugural season, or 15 games. The organization did not raise all of
150-503: A 7-4 Astros victory. Pawol hopes her efforts throughout spring training will lead to the opportunity for her to become the first female umpire to work a regular season game. She credits the women that umpired before her for paving an exciting career path for women such as herself in the future. Minor league players participate in spring training following a telescoped schedule that generally lasts from March 1 to 31. At its conclusion, most players are assigned to farm team rosters to begin
225-645: A high school education or higher. Tourism is high in the downtown historic business district. Cruise passenger tourists come from Port Canaveral on excursions or day trips. In addition, tourists are attracted to the historic sites and local attractions such as the Brevard Museum of History & Natural Science , the Eastern Florida State College Planetarium and Observatory , Historic Cocoa Village, Indian River Queen (excursion boat), Indian River Drive scenic by-pass,
300-484: A perfect game in extra innings in 1995 while pitching for the former Montreal Expos , was talking to reporters at the conclusion of the game, rather than watching the final pitches. Reliever Rod Beck , who finished the game, did not realize the nature of his accomplishment until informed by catcher Joe Siddall . Many fans also left before the game's conclusion. Although spring training statistics are unofficial, teams frequently use players' spring training performances as
375-522: A shift restriction to promote more exciting plays. Although home plate remained unchanged, all other bases within the field of play increased in size. The base sizes increased from 15 inches square to 18 inches square and slightly reduced the distance between bases. Defensive shift limit rules included four infielders staying within the boundary of the infield dirt, two infielders staying on each side of second base, and had no restrictions on outfielders . Although positive feedback had been received about
450-454: A way of assigning starting roles and roster spots on the club. Spring training is the time of MLB's calendar year to make improvements to the game of baseball. These changes to the traditional game of baseball allow for MLB to adapt to the modern day of playing and set up teams throughout the league for success. The league also experiments with on-field personnel to determine the best umpire crews, home plate umpires, and field umpires. In 2023,
525-814: Is Sloan Park , the spring training home for the Chicago Cubs in Mesa, Arizona , which opened in February 2014. The oldest stadium in Cactus League spring training is Tempe Diablo Stadium, built in 1969. According to the Arizona Republic , the Cactus League generates more than $ 300 million a year in economic impact to the greater Phoenix metropolitan area economy. The Arizona Republic newspaper reports that more than $ 500 million has been spent on "building eight new stadiums and renovating two others for
600-708: Is a 2015 documentary about Hot Springs Spring Training. The film was narrated by actor Billy Bob Thornton , an area native, and produced by filmmaker Larry Foley. The documentary began airing nationally on the MLB Network in February 2016. Early training sites include the St. Louis Cardinals in Hot Springs and Tulsa, Oklahoma ; the New York Yankees in New Orleans and later Phoenix, Arizona , when
675-856: Is not limited to North America; the Japanese professional baseball leagues' teams adopted spring training and preseason game sites across East Asia such as South Korea , the Philippines , and Taiwan ; on the Pacific Islands (most notably in Hawaii); and in two cities in the United States: Salinas, California and Yuma, Arizona on the Mexican border. In 2015, 2016 and 2019, MLB has hosted spring training games in Mexico. In 2015,
750-486: Is promoted to an appropriate-level farm club. When short-season leagues ( Rookie league , or previously Class A Short Season ) begin play in late June, extended spring training players are assigned to those rosters, placed on the injured list , or released. Every four years, the World Baseball Classic creates a significant impact on how traditional spring training occurs. The tournament runs throughout
825-745: Is surrounded by historic buildings and the Cocoa Riverfront Park. The Florida Historical Society is headquartered in the historic Cocoa Post Office, originally built in 1939 by the Works Progress Administration . The area was revitalized by funding for public infrastructure through the Cocoa Redevelopment Agency, City and private investment. Cocoa Village is also home to the Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse which
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#1732781126165900-743: The South Wind (both via Birmingham ) and the New York -bound East Coast Champion , Havana Special, and Miamian from the Florida East Coast Railway's Cocoa-Rockledge station. Into the latter 1950s, passengers could take the Dixie Flagler to Chicago via Atlanta from the station. All passenger trains along the FEC were suspended in 1963 due to a strike. The FEC resumed local passenger service between Jacksonville and
975-543: The Aladdin Theater , Historic Porcher House, and Riverfront Park. Historic Cocoa Village has shopping and two Golden Spoon award-winning restaurants, and boutiques. The city sponsors more than 50 special events each year. The historic downtown area is called Cocoa Village, situated along Florida Avenue to Stone Street, and stretching to Riverfront Park along the Indian River . It has shops and restaurants, and
1050-970: The Arizona Diamondbacks played against the Colorado Rockies at Estadio Sonora , Hermosillo. A year later, the San Diego Padres hosted the Houston Astros at Estadio Fray Nano in Mexico City. Finally, in 2019, the Diamondbacks played once again the Rockies but, this time, at Estadio de Béisbol Monterrey in Monterrey. In 2020, MLB hosted a spring training game between the Minnesota Twins and
1125-702: The Dominican Republic in 1948. The New York Yankees also trained in the early 1950s in Cuba and the Dominican Republic. Spring training camps and games were also held in Hawaii, Puerto Rico , and various cities of northern Mexico , sometimes by visiting major league teams in the 1950s and 1960s. Before and shortly after big league baseball reached the West Coast, a number of teams trained in
1200-653: The Grapefruit League . Except for a couple of years during World War II , when travel restrictions prevented teams from training south of the Potomac and Ohio Rivers , Florida hosted more than half of the spring training teams through 2009. Since 2010, major league teams have been equally divided between Arizona and Florida during spring training, with 15 teams in Florida and 15 teams in Arizona. All but six of
1275-670: The United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 15.4 square miles (39.9 km ). 13.3 square miles (34.5 km ) of it is land and 2.1 square miles (5.4 km ) of it (13.46%) is water. Cocoa is home to the highest point in Brevard County , listed by the USGS as being 83 feet (25 m) above sea level at its apex . The Cocoa Bird Count has annually counted species of birds in or near Cocoa since 1950. In 2010, it counted 150 species. There
1350-471: The Washington Nationals became the first club to hold spring training in Florida. The practice was not universally adopted, however. Critics including Cap Anson argued that players would be more prone to sore muscles and colds after returning to their colder home climates. Spring training by major league teams in sites other than their regular season game sites first became popular in
1425-423: The pitch clock was implemented. The timer was developed to create a quicker pace of play and allow for more fans to actively watch games. Timers of 30 seconds between batters, 15 seconds between pitches, and 20 seconds between pitches with runners on base have drastically reduced playing times. Pitchers were also limited to two disengagements from the mound per plate appearance . Any time a pitcher disengages with
1500-758: The 15 teams in the Valley." Attendance set a new record at 2011 Cactus League games with 1.59 million attending games at the various stadiums in the Phoenix metro area. Much of the attendance surge is attributed to the Salt River Fields at Talking Stick venue that accounted for 22 percent of the Cactus League attendance. Following is the list of spring training locations by team in the Cactus League in Arizona: Statistics are recorded during spring training games, but they are not combined with
1575-485: The 1890s and by 1910 was in wide use. Hot Springs, Arkansas , has been called the original "birthplace" of spring training baseball. The location of Hot Springs and the concept of getting the players ready for the upcoming season was the brainchild of Chicago White Stockings (today's Chicago Cubs ) team President Albert Spalding and Cap Anson . In 1886, the White Stockings traveled to Hot Springs to prepare for
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#17327811261651650-528: The 2025 season to allow for both effective performance and appeal. In a predominately male job, the 2024 spring training season saw the first woman umpire since Ria Cortesio in 2007. On February 24, Jen Pawol was a field umpire for the Astros and Nationals game. She began the game with three innings umpiring third base followed by an additional three innings at both second and first as well. Cacti park hosted 3,655 people to witness history as Pawol umpired
1725-784: The Cocoa High School football team was ranked 13th in the State of Florida and 1st in the county and had a 35-game winning streak against other Brevard County schools. Grapefruit League Spring training is the preseason in Major League Baseball (MLB), a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season . Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives established players practice time prior to competitive play. Spring training has always attracted fan attention, drawing crowds who travel to
1800-832: The Collier County Loggerheads, the Miami-Dade Red Snappers and the Palm Beach Spoonbills. It is based in Pompano Beach, Florida . League commissioner Jamie Siragusa had been a player in the independent Empire State League in 1987 and reorganized the FWBL in 2015, following the Empire State League's single complex format. The season was completed. Miami-Dade Red Snappers Won FWBL Championship 2015 The season
1875-738: The Detroit Tigers at Estadio Quisqueya in Santo Domingo. In 2024, the Rays and Red Sox played the inaugural Dominican Republic series in Santo Domingo. The series resulted in a split, 1-1, and showcased Dominican talent while honoring players that have been developed through Dominican Republic Academies. Generally, teams train in either Florida or Arizona based on their geographic location in North America, with eastern teams playing in Florida and western teams training in Arizona;
1950-615: The Grapefruit League, teams in the Cactus League often share stadiums; of the 15 teams who train in Arizona, only the Cubs, Angels, Brewers, Giants, and Athletics have their own home stadiums. The Cactus League teams are all within the Phoenix metropolitan area (as of 2014 when the Diamondbacks and Rockies left Tucson for their new shared facility, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick ). The newest stadium built for MLB spring training
2025-589: The Indian River. It was said, the sailors approaching her house would yell out "Cocoa! Cocoa!" alerting the woman that they were present and wanted the beverage. In 1885, the S. F. Travis Hardware store opened. As of 2023, the business remains open. Cocoa's business district was mostly destroyed by fire in 1890. But soon, significant development was stimulated by the extension of the Jacksonville, St. Augustine, and Indian River Railway to Cocoa. The city
2100-792: The Indians in Tucson and convinced the New York Giants to give Phoenix a try. Thus the Cactus League was born. In 1947, Veeck signed Larry Doby to the Indians. Doby was the second African-American to play MLB in the 20th century, and the first in the American League. Arizona had eight teams in the Cactus League in 1989 , with the other eighteen in Florida. By 2018 , the split was even, with 15 teams training in each location. While Florida and Arizona now host all Major League Baseball teams for spring training, this has not always been
2175-602: The Mayor as chairman. The City Manager serves as the Chief Executive. The City Council for the City of Cocoa is made up of five members; the Mayor is elected at large and the four council members are elected by each of their districts. In 2007, the city had a taxable real estate base of $ 1.18 billion. Cocoa has its own police and fire department. The Cocoa Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency within
2250-692: The Miami area from 1965 until July 31, 1968. Brightline is an inter-city rail route that currently runs between Miami and Orlando . On March 12, 2024, Brightline officials confirmed that an infill station on the Space Coast would be built in Cocoa . Space Coast Area Transit operates a public bus service in Cocoa and vicinity. Since 1957, Cocoa has supplied the communities of central Brevard County with potable water. Cocoa made major investments in
2325-705: The Salt River in 1929. The Philadelphia Phillies were the first of the current major-league teams to train in Florida, when they spent two weeks in Jacksonville, Florida in 1889. Spring training in Florida began in earnest in 1913, when the Chicago Cubs trained in Tampa and the Cleveland Indians in Pensacola . One year later, two other teams moved to Florida for spring training, the real start of
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2400-471: The White Stockings to Hot Springs. Whittington Field/ Ban Johnson Park (1894), Majestic Park (1909), and Fogel Field (1912) were all built in Hot Springs to host Major League teams. Famously, on St. Patrick's Day , 1918, a successful young pitcher for the Red Sox named Babe Ruth was forced to play an emergency game at first base in a spring training game against Pittsburgh. This game possibly changed
2475-566: The autobiography of former Cleveland Indians owner Bill Veeck , the avoidance of racism was one reason the Cactus League was established. In 1947, Veeck was the owner of the minor league Milwaukee Brewers and the team trained in Ocala, Florida . Veeck inadvertently sat in the Black section of the segregated stands and engaged in conversation with a couple of fans. According to Veeck's book,
2550-407: The case. Especially in the early 20th century, baseball clubs did not build facilities dedicated to spring training and would use local facilities in various cities, sometimes changing spring training sites on an annual basis. The Cleveland Indians, for example, held spring trainings in seven different cities – including New Orleans, Dallas , and Macon, Georgia – between 1902 and 1922. This
2625-534: The city. It is aided by the Brevard County Sheriff's Office, for court and civil process. The Cocoa Fire Department has three stations. Brevard County Fire Rescue also has a station within the city limits. In 2021, the city had an authorized police force of 72 police officers and 44 firefighters. Cocoa is located at 28°22′10″N 80°44′38″W / 28.369334°N 80.743779°W / 28.369334; -80.743779 . According to
2700-447: The city. The population density was 2,200.3 inhabitants per square mile (849.5/km ). There were 8,064 housing units at an average density of 1,081.1 units per square mile (417.4 units/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 62.47% White , 32.28% African American , 0.63% Native American , 0.94% Asian , 0.23% Pacific Islander , 1.58% from other races , and 1.87% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.93% of
2775-471: The county government. Clearlake Middle School was closed in 2013. Students were moved to Cocoa High School , which was converted to a junior and senior high school. Cocoa first approved the Council-Manager form of government in 1959, and subsequent changes to the state statutes mirrored the City of Cocoa's Council-Manager Plan. The City Council serves as the board of directors for the city, with
2850-671: The course of baseball history, as it was the first time Ruth had ever played any position other than pitcher. Ruth responded by hitting two home runs that day in Hot Springs, with the second being a 573-foot shot that landed across the street from Whittington Park in a pond of the Arkansas Alligator Farm and Petting Zoo . The Red Sox took notice and soon Ruth was playing the field more often. Over 130 Major League Baseball Hall of Famers, including Ruth, Anson, Cy Young , Honus Wagner , Ty Cobb , Tris Speaker , Walter Johnson , Rogers Hornsby , Mel Ott , Dizzy Dean , Jimmie Foxx , and Stan Musial , trained in Hot Springs. The First Boys of Spring
2925-429: The exceptions being the Cleveland Guardians, Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers, and the two Chicago-based teams all training in Arizona; and the Houston Astros, Minnesota Twins and St. Louis Cardinals training in Florida. The last West Coast team to train in Florida was the Los Angeles Dodgers, who moved to Arizona in 2009. Spring training teams can play colleges, minor league baseball clubs, intra-squad games (members of
3000-476: The first baseball team to hold a spring training outside of their home when, in 1869, Boss Tweed sent the Mutuals south to New Orleans to prepare for the season. In the 1870s, several clubs began following the example set by the Mutuals by training in warmer climates. New Orleans was a popular location for spring training in the 19th century but teams also trained in Washington, D.C. , Savannah, Georgia and Cape May, New Jersey among other locations. In 1888,
3075-496: The iconic American flags. The Houston Astros held spring training in Cocoa from 1964 through 1984, and the Florida Marlins trained in Cocoa in 1993. Cocoa Stadium was also the long-time home of the Florida State League Cocoa Astros . In 2009, the Space Coast Surge, a member of the Florida Winter Baseball League , had Cocoa Stadium as its home stadium. The league suspended operations in November 2009. Cocoa High School has numerous state champion athletic teams. In 2015,
Florida Winter Baseball League - Misplaced Pages Continue
3150-472: The initial startup capital it required. The poorly run league had trouble paying the players and reports existed of player paychecks bouncing. A separate league, called Florida Winter League Baseball , featuring overlooked college players or released pro players is scheduled to open in January 2012. It is unclear if the leagues have any connection other than similar names. A league by this name resurfaced in 2015 and featured four teams: The Broward Waverunners,
3225-503: The listed statistics for regular season games, and unusual performances which would have broken records if accomplished during the regular season are considered to be unofficial. For example, on March 14, 2000, the Red Sox used six pitchers to achieve a 5–0 perfect game victory over the Toronto Blue Jays . A perfect game is considered a crowning accomplishment during the regular season or postseason, but in spring training it attracts little notice. Starting pitcher Pedro Martínez , who lost
3300-495: The local law enforcement told Veeck he could not sit in that section, and then called the Ocala mayor when Veeck argued back. The mayor finally backed down when Veeck threatened to take his team elsewhere for spring training and promised to let the country know why. Veeck sold the Brewers in 1945 and temporarily retired to a ranch in Tucson, Arizona , but purchased the Cleveland Indians in 1946. Intending to introduce African-American players, Veeck decided to buck tradition and train
3375-408: The mail used to come by river boat and was placed in an empty tin box labeled Baker's Cocoa. The box was nailed to a piling in the river next to downtown. Additionally, an early hotel in the area, located on the Indian River lagoon, was named Cocoa House. Another story speaks of an elderly African American woman who lived on the banks of the Indian River. She would supply hot cocoa to sailors traversing
3450-407: The major league teams have gone to spring training in Florida at one time or another (Anaheim Angels, Milwaukee Brewers, Seattle Mariners, San Diego Padres, Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks). Many of the most famous players in baseball history (Ruth, Gehrig , Musial, Cobb, Mays , DiMaggio , Berra , Mantle , and many more) have called Florida home for 4–6 weeks every spring. According to
3525-418: The mayor of Cocoa proclaimed that all places of assembly, including schools, churches, and movies be closed to avoid spreading the Spanish flu . By 1925, the population was estimated at 1,800. By 1930, despite the Great Depression , the population had risen to 2,200. The population rose dramatically following the development of the space industry, quadrupling from 3,098 in 1940 to 12,244 in 1960. Cocoa and
3600-414: The minor league season. However, those players deemed unready for a full-season campaign—through inexperience or injury—are assigned to "extended spring training", a structured program of workouts, rehabilitation sessions, simulated games, and exhibition games based in the major league parent team's minor league training complex. If a player is later deemed ready to participate in full-season league action, he
3675-441: The month of March with the opportunity for players to represent their countries and play for the national teams. This impacts spring training as many star players opt to represent their country rather than prepare for the upcoming MLB season with their respective teams. This leaves teams in tough situations as they are forced to build their lineups, sell tickets, and play games without their star players. However, players opt to play in
3750-448: The mound after the first two disengagements have been used, the pitcher is charged with a balk . These factors have contributed to the increased pace of play and allows for games to move quicker. After the pitch clock's success throughout spring training, it was ultimately placed into effect for the 2023 MLB season . Along with the experimentation of the pitch clock, spring training also tested out larger bases to protect player's safety and
3825-403: The name "Grapefruit League" has several explanations. One popular myth was that Casey Stengel threw a grapefruit at Brooklyn Dodgers manager Wilbert Robinson . The accepted version is that aviator Ruth Law threw the grapefruit. In 1915, Law had been throwing golf balls from her airplane to advertise a golf course. Someone suggested throwing a baseball from her airplane. Robinson, whose team
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#17327811261653900-441: The others located on the same coast, rarely traveling to the other side of Florida for spring training games. The Astros, Cardinals, Marlins, Mets, and Nationals—all of whom play on the Atlantic Coast—play the majority of their games against each other, only playing three or four games against opponents located on the Gulf Coast. Following is the list of spring training locations by team in the Grapefruit League in Florida: Unlike
3975-405: The population. In 2000, there were 6,939 households, out of which 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.0% were married couples living together, 19.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.0% were non-families. 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size
4050-577: The respective states. Spring training typically starts in early February and continues until just before Opening Day of the regular season, which falls in the last week of March or the first week of April. In some years, teams not scheduled to play on Opening Day will play spring training games that day. Pitchers and catchers report to spring training first because pitchers benefit from a longer training period. A few days later, position players arrive and team practice begins. Exhibition games usually begin in late February. The New York Mutuals became perhaps
4125-400: The rules changes during the 2023 season, the 2024 spring training season sparked controversy. Nike , MLB's uniform provider, conducted a redesign of player jerseys and pants to allow for better athletic performance. Player's last names and numbers decreased in size making the uniforms look unappealing to both players and fans. As a result of the backlash, MLB and Nike redesigned the jerseys for
4200-441: The same team play against each other), split-squad games (games when one team is scheduled for two games in one day, so the team splits into two squads and each squad plays in one of the games), and B Games (unofficial spring training games where statistics and standings are not counted). The players union will sometimes operate its own training facility if many free agents are unsigned by the start of spring training. The origin of
4275-511: The state of California or along the state line. The Chicago Cubs trained on Catalina Island in the 1920s, '30s, and '40s. For example, early in their history, the then- California Angels held spring training in Palm Springs, California from 1961 to 1993, the San Diego Padres in Yuma, Arizona from 1969 to 1993, the Oakland Athletics in Las Vegas , Nevada in the 1970s, and various major league teams had trained in El Centro , Riverside , and San Bernardino . The concept of spring training
4350-399: The summer. Daily flows average 25 mgd. The Dyal WTP is unusual for Central Florida because it is capable of treating both ground and surface water. The flag was originally painted on the water tower free of charge by a Greek immigrant. He wanted to decorate the tower in time for the United States Bicentennial celebration in 1976. In 2014, the City re-furbished and re-painted the tower with
4425-405: The surrounding area also became integrated with the tourist industry for the first time, as thousands visited the area to witness the launches from Cape Canaveral . By 1980, the population had grown to 16,096. Education was segregated until the 1960s, at which time Monroe High School and elementary schools for black students were closed. In 1964, the Cocoa Expo Sports Center (Cocoa Stadium)
4500-515: The team was owned by Del Webb ; the Chicago Cubs in Los Angeles when owned by William Wrigley Jr. ; the St. Louis Browns and later the Kansas City Athletics in San Diego and then in West Palm Beach, Florida ; the Pittsburgh Pirates in Dawson Springs, Kentucky around 1915 and Honolulu , while other teams joined in by the early 1940s. The Detroit Tigers are credited with being the first team to conduct spring training camp in Arizona. They trained in Phoenix at Riverside Park at Central Avenue and
4575-670: The tournament's games due to the intense competitive atmosphere. Since these games take place so early into the baseball year, this leads to an increased risk of injury among players as well as conflicting development within MLB organizations. As recent as 2023, Mets pitcher Edwin Diaz suffered a torn patellar tendon after a game, leaving him out for the entire upcoming season. Diaz's injury has left teams concerned with letting their star players play under another team's supervision. Pitchers have to follow tight restrictions to comply with proper throwing progressions to ensure health and safety. This can impact how an MLB team planned on building up
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#17327811261654650-435: The two largest industries by employment in Cocoa as of 2017. In 2008, Kel-Tec CNC Industries, located in Cocoa, was the third-largest manufacturer of pistols in the United States. Cocoa has 1,381 registered businesses that include light manufacturing and industrial, retail and office businesses as of 2017. Cocoa hosts one of the facilities building SpaceX Starship . In 2017, 9,633 persons were employed, with 84% having
4725-450: The upcoming season. After holding spring training at the Hot Springs Baseball Grounds, the White Stockings went on to have a successful season and other teams took notice. In subsequent years other teams joined Chicago and began holding spring training in Hot Springs, leading to the first spring training games. The Cleveland Spiders , Detroit Tigers , Pittsburgh Pirates , Cincinnati Reds , Brooklyn Dodgers , and Boston Red Sox followed
4800-436: The war, 1943's Spring Training was limited to an area east of the Mississippi River and north of the Ohio River . The Chicago White Sox held camp in French Lick, Indiana ; the Washington Senators in College Park, Maryland ; and the New York Yankees in Asbury Park, New Jersey . After World War II, some teams trained outside of the United States. The Brooklyn Dodgers trained in Havana, Cuba in 1947 and 1949, and in
4875-441: The warm climates of Arizona and Florida to enjoy the weather and watch their favorite teams play. In modern training, teams that train in Florida will play other Florida-training teams in their exhibition games, regardless of regular-season league affiliations. Likewise, Arizona-training teams will play other Arizona teams. These have been nicknamed the Grapefruit League and Cactus League , respectively, after plants typical of
4950-452: The water supply and treatment facilities needed to produce a sub-regional water system. In 2017, Cocoa provided an average of 23,000,000 US gallons (87,000,000 L; 19,000,000 imp gal) of water daily to over 80,000 customers (250,000 people) in Cocoa, Rockledge, Port St. John, Merritt Island, Cape Canaveral, Cocoa Beach, Suntree/Viera, Patrick Air Force Base, Kennedy Space Center and Port Canaveral. Cocoa's water system includes
5025-566: The wellfield and raw water collection system, Wewahootee Water Treatment Plant, transmission mains, and the Dyal Water Treatment Plant (WTP). Cocoa's drinking water sources include the Floridian Aquifer, Intermediate Aquifer, Taylor Creek Reservoir, and Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) wells. All of these facilities are located in east Orange County. A distribution system and storage pumping facilities are located in Brevard County. The Dyal WTP processes about nine billion gallons per year, with peak flows reaching 38 million gallons per day (mgd) during
5100-470: Was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.97. In 2000, in the city, the population was distributed as follows: 26.4% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.4 males. According to 2020 United States Census data: Construction and retail trade are
5175-429: Was an annual "Christmas Bird Count" before this, starting in 1900. As of the 2020 United States census , there were 19,041 people, 8,062 households, and 4,550, families residing in the city. As of the 2010 United States census , there were 17,140 people, 7,429 households, and 4,480 families residing in the city. As of the census of 2000, there were 16,412 people, 6,939 households, and 4,232 families residing in
5250-426: Was built for the Colt 45s spring baseball training and Grapefruit League games. The team later became the Houston Astros . In the early 1980s, the city attempted to upgrade the stadium by asking the Astros to pay for needed repairs. In 1985, the team responded by moving its training to Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee . As a result, it was decided that future negotiations with major league teams would be done by
5325-399: Was chartered on October 1, 1895. In the winter of 1894–1895, Cocoa had an economic setback when the " Great Freeze " destroyed the citrus crop and forced many citrus workers to seek new jobs. By 1903, the population of Cocoa had declined to 382. In the 1910s, population growth in Cocoa accelerated. The state business directory of 1911–1912 stated the population was 550. In October 1918,
5400-464: Was in the Daytona Beach area for spring training, agreed to try to catch the baseball. Flying 525 feet (160 m) above Robinson, Law realized she had forgotten her baseball and threw a grapefruit that she had. When Robinson tried to catch it, the grapefruit exploded in his face, at first leading him to believe he had been seriously injured. Grapefruit League teams primarily play against
5475-488: Was incomplete and interrupted after 30 games played Cocoa, Florida Cocoa is a city in Brevard County , Florida . The population was 19,041 at the 2020 United States Census , up from 17,140 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Palm Bay – Melbourne – Titusville Metropolitan Statistical Area . Several stories circulate among Cocoa old timers as to how the town got its name. One story says that
5550-564: Was not uncommon at the time. The New York Giants likely built the first "permanent" spring training facility in Marlin, Texas . The Giants trained in Marlin from 1908 to 1918 and built Emerson Park and adjacent parks for spring training activities. The city of Marlin deeded the land to the ballclub. During World War II, most teams held an abbreviated spring training within easy reach of their cities. In order to conserve rail transport during
5625-520: Was originally called, The Aladdin Theatre. The city area has the following educational institutions: Higher education: Public school system: Private schools: All are at least four-lane roads, unless otherwise designated. The Florida East Coast Railway runs through Cocoa. Into the early 1960s, passengers could take one of two Chicago -bound trains (on alternating days), the City of Miami or
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