WORLD SERIES MVP
Christopher Chikodorff, a member of the 2024 Lake Mary Little League World Champions and who is also listed on this year’s squad, and his USA Baseball 12U National Team teammates won the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-12 Baseball World Cup Championship at Asia Pacific International Baseball Stadium in Tainan, Taiwan, late Saturday night (Sunday morning in Taiwan).
Team USA (8-1) spotted Japan a run in the top of the first inning of the Championship Game, but answered with three runs in the bottom of the first inning and cruised to a 7-1 victory behind a combined three-hitter from a pair of hurlers.
Chikodorff, who calls Apopka home, had an RBI double in three at bats during USA’s second victory in as many days against Japan. Team USA had bested Japan, the No. 1 ranked team in the world, 8-0, earlier in the Super Round that got both teams to the Championship Game.
Chikodorff was named the World Series Most Valuable Player after leading his team with the highest batting average .533 (16-for-30), most hits (16) and most runs scored (11) to go along with four doubles and 10 RBI while hitting mostly out of the No. 3 spot and playing right field.
In the nine games played, he had four three-hit games and a two hit game, including a game-winning walkout double against host Taiwan on Friday in which the USA scored five runs in the final two at bats to pull off a 6-5 victory.
CAL RIPKEN WORLD SERIES
The Altamonte Springs 12U All-Star Team is headed to Branson, Missouri, to take part in the 2025 Cal Ripken Majors/70 World Series.
In Pool Play, Altamonte with NE Invite (Easton, MA) at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Oregon Invite (West Linn BRL) at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday and Midwest Plains Region Champ (Frontenac) at 2 p.m. next Monday (8/11).
ORLANDO CITY WINS TWICE
Orlando City SC earned a crucial three points with a win over Atlas F.C. (0-2-0, 0 points) on Saturday night at Inter&Co Stadium. With one match remaining in the Group Stage, the Lions now sit at 1-0-1 and four points in Phase One of the 2025 Leagues Cup.
Scoring Summary:
* 9’ - Iván Angulo – ORL 1, ATS 0.
* 50’ - Matías Cóccaro – ORL 1, ATS 1.
* 57’ - Martín Ojeda (Alex Freeman) – ORL 2, ATS 1.
* 90+12’ Marco Pašalić (Martín Ojeda) – ORL 3, ATS 1.
Orlando City had kicked off its 2025 Leagues Cup campaign with a 1-1 draw against Pumas UNAM (0-0-1, 2 points) on Wednesday night at Inter&Co Stadium. The match was followed by a penalty shootout, from which the Lions earned one point.
Scoring Summary:
* 5’ - Rodrigo Schlegel (Martín Ojeda) – ORL 1, PUM 0.
* 80’ - Coco Carrasquilla (Piero Quispe) – ORL 1, PUM 1.
Up Next:
Orlando City will return to Inter&Co Stadium tonight (Wednesday) for the final game of Phase One against Club Necaxa. That match is set to kick off at 7 p.m. on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
The Lions will also be at home on Saturday, returning to MLS action to host Inter Mimi FC, at 8 p.m. on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, Apple TV+, FS1, Univision and TUDN, Fox Sports 810 AM and Mega 97.1
For more information on Orlando City SC and Orlando Pride, visit OrlandoCitySC.com or Orlando-Pride.com.
ORLANDO SPEEDWORLD
Orlando Speed World Dragway will have a limited schedule until the middle of August. Here is the schedule:
* Full Throttle Friday _ “All Welcome Test and Tune and Grudge Racing” with gates opening at 6 p.m. and racing from 6 p.m.-to-10:30 p.m. $20 General Admission or $30 to race. Kids 10-and-Under free.
* FUNDAY Sunday _ “All Welcome Test and Tune and Grudge Racing” with gates opening at 10 a.m. and racing from 10:30 a.m.-to-5 p.m. $20 General Admission (kids 10-and-Under free) or $35 to race.
* Wheels Up Wednesday (August 13) _ “All Welcome Test and Tune and Grudge Racing” with gates opening at 6 p.m. and racing from 6 p.m.-to-10:30 p.m. $20 General Admission or $30 to race.
* Full Throttle Friday _ “All Welcome Test and Tune and Grudge Racing” with gates opening at 6 p.m. and racing from 6 p.m.-to-10:30 p.m. $20 General Admission or $30 to race. Kids 10-and-Under free.
The Dragway information Hotline is at (407) 568-5522 and the website is at _ www.raceosw.com/dragway/.
SpeedWorld is located 17 miles east of Orlando in Bithlo at 19164 East Colonial Drive, between Orlando and Titusville on Highway 50 at the 520 Cocoa Cutoff.
NEW SMYRNA SPEEDWAY
The J&C Gradall Modified Challenge Series returns this Saturday Night to New Smyrna Speedway and will compete in twin 35 lap main events.
The always exciting Ashley Homes JAX Pro Truck division also returns to write the next intense chapter in their 2025 weekly racing season. The Black Jack Seal Coating Bomber A division and the Super Stocks will round out the card. Tickets are just $10 before 6 p.m. with the early bird special.
Pit gates open at 2 p.m. with Division Practice from 3 p.m.-to-5 p.m. Ticket booths and grandstand gates open at 4 p.m. Come early and get $5 off General Admission until 6 p.m. Qualifying/Heat Races are at 6 p.m., followed by Feature Racing at 7:30 p.m.
Adult admission is $15 (reserved seating is $20, the top six (6) rows of the Main Grandstand) with all seniors (65+) and military (with valid ID for proof of age or Military affiliation) admitted for $13. Kids 12-17 are $5 (No Early Bird Discount). Kids 11 years of age and under are free of charge (MUST be accompanied by paying Adult to qualify for Free Admission). Pits - Members ($30), Non-Members ($40).
The track is located at the corner of SR. 44 and CR 415, between New Smyrna, DeLand and Daytona.
For information on New Smyrna Speedway, visit _ www.newsmyrnaspeedway.org _ or call the track office at 386-427-4129.
UCF MEN’S SOCCER
Set for its third go-around as a member of the Sun Belt Conference, the UCF men’s soccer team will kickoff the 2025 season by hosting longtime rival Stetson in an exhibition match on Saturday at 6:15 p.m. at the UCF Soccer and Track Complex.
Admission to the exhibition will be free of charge and open to the public.
PRIDE RETURNS TO ACTION
Orlando Pride (8-4-1, 25 points) returned from an International Break to start the second half of the season on Sunday at Inter&Co Stadium against the Utah Royals FC.
The team will also be at home on Saturday to host Racing Louisville at 7:30 p.m. and is set to be broadcast on ION.
For more information on Orlando City SC and Orlando Pride, visit OrlandoCitySC.com or Orlando-Pride.com.
