Manatees All-Stars Enjoy Their Break On and Off the Field

The Manatees may not have had the most All-Star representatives, that honor went to Clearwater with
seven, but they definitely had the biggest presence at the All-Star festivities. The infamous Sea-Cow chant
could be heard throughout Florida Auto Exchange Stadium Saturday evening.
That was pretty cool, Manatees first baseman Nick Ramirez mentions. Ramirez cited the Brevard
County fans as one of the best parts of the weekend.
That was definitely one of the brighter spots, because everyone else just had music going, and then I had
our fans chanting back and forth across the stadium. It was pretty sweet.
Ramirez was one of five Tees selected to the Florida State League North All-Star squad. The other four
included catcher Cameron Garfield and pitchers David Goforth, Seth Harvey, and Brooks Hall. Only three
were able to participate in the weekend fun, though, as Brooks Hall was promoted to Double-A Huntsville
and Seth Harvey underwent surgery.
The Manatees not only had an overwhelming presence in the stands, but they were felt on the field, as well.
Nick Ramirez, who has been among the league leaders in home runs all year, participated in the Home Run
Derby prior to the All-Star game.
Last week Ramirez was asked what his strategy was going to be in the Derby. His answer was simple:
Win it.
Ramirezs strategy worked; he won the Derby. He hit six bombs in the first round, trailing only Daytonas
shortstop Javier Baez, who hit nine. Ramirez moved on to the second round, where he would capture the
crown, hitting 13 long balls.
Ramirez mentioned that participating in the home run contest affected his swing a little bit, but he still
considered it the high point of his weekend.
The Home Run Derby was the most fun from the weekend, Ramirez explained. My swing felt a little bit
different after taking about 40 swings out there, but I got in the cage and fixed it.
The Home Run Derby was just the beginning though, as the actual game was still yet to be played. Ramirez
was the only starter for the Manatees. He batted ninth in the Norths loaded lineup, and was slotted in as the
designated hitter. Ramirez did not fair as well in the game as he did in the Derby, though. Possibly
suffering from an altered swing, Ramirez went hitless in his three plate appearances.
Cameron Garfield would enter the game in the top of the fourth inning as a defensive substitution for the
Norths starting catcher, Tampas Gary Sanchez. Garfield would catch the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings
before being removed for Clearwaters Logan Moore. Garfield would strikeout in his lone at bat.
Garfields focus was shifted a bit towards the off-field aspect of the weekend, mentioning the introduction
ceremony on Friday night, spending time with the other players, and just resting physically as his highlights
of the break.
It was fun with the dinners and the introduction ceremony they put on for for us. There was also a light
feel. I met a lot of cool guys from different teams. It was nice just hanging out with the players.
It was nice getting a breather, letting your body recuperate a little, and getting back on track, Garfield
explained. This comes as no surprise as Garfield plays catcher, arguably the most physically demanding
position in the game.

Garfield was certain to mention his girlfriend, as well. We had a good time. I havent seen her in a while,
so it was nice having her support, on and off the field, having someone close to you there to enjoy
everything with.
Starting pitcher David Goforth would be the final Manatee to make an appearance in the game and had the
roughest night of the three. Gorforth would enter the game in the top of the fifth inning. He would allow
five runs to score on four hits and a walk in his one inning of work. Goforth was plagued by the long ball,
surrendering homers to Palm Beachs Stephen Piscotty and Bradentons Alen Hanson. Hansons three-run
shot would earn him the All-Star Game MVP honors.
Goforth would be hung with the loss, as the the North was leading 1-0 when he entered the game. The
game would end in an 8-1 victory for the FSL South.
Luckily for the Manatees, there was no All-Star break hangover. The Tees faced the most important series
of the season immediately after the break. The Manatees would sweep the Lakeland Flying Tigers, despite
falling 0.5 game short of a division title, finishing their first half on a five game win-streak.
David Goforth showed no ill-effects from the game, either. He would earn the win in the series finally over
Lakeland, his seventh of the year. Following the game he would earn a promotion to Double-A Huntsville
to join fellow Tees All-Star, Brooks Hall.