Pictured: Paws and Claws Night at LECOM Park is a crowd pleaser to both canines and their humans. Photo provided by the Marauders.

As May rolls into June, baseball is more prevalent than ever on Florida's Gulf Coast. In Sarasota, the Florida Complex League (FCL) Orioles kicked off their season on May 4, with 30 home games scheduled between May 4 and July 25. The FCL Orioles, who operate out of Sarasota’s Ed Smith Stadium are the base level of the minor leagues for Baltimore which harbors one of the deepest farm systems in all of Major League Baseball. Keep an eye out for players like pitcher Jesus Palacios and infielder Alfredo Velasquez for with a strong showing here, it won’t be long before they’re called up to Single-A Delmarva. FCL Orioles games at Ed Smith Stadium will be free of charge for the public to attend.

Just north of Sarasota, the Bradenton Marauders continue to grind out a tough, yet promising season. Fresh of an electric 11-game win streak, Bradenton has gone 1-4 in their last five games since, struggling to find the same offensive spark. Fear not, however, because in their upcoming six game homestand against the Dunedin Blue Jays they have a chance to turn the tide on their season. At 19-20, Dunedin is just two games up on Bradenton in the Florida State League West division. With a strong showing against Dunedin, the Marauders could leapfrog the Blue Jays in the standings and finish out an incredibly successful month of May.

During this six-game homestand the Marauders will host a number of promotional nights including Thirsty Thursday, Friendly City Fridays–which will also be Decades Night, where fans are encouraged to dress in the style of their favorite decade–as well as Military Appreciation Night and Paws & Claws on Saturday night.

Ed Smith Stadium, 2700 12th St, Sarasota, https://www.milb.com/bradenton, LECOM Park 1611 9th St W, Bradenton, FL 34205.

Pictured: Paws and Claws Night at LECOM Park is a crowd pleaser to both canines and their humans. Photo provided by the Marauders.