OVIEDO, Fla. – For parents across Central Florida, the name Oviedo resonates deeply, especially for those whose children have participated in youth sports.
For years, the community has made headlines, producing professional athletes, especially in baseball.
Recently, News 6 had the opportunity to speak with Alan Greene, the father of Detroit Tigers star Riley Greene, who honed his skills in Oviedo Babe Ruth and at Hagerty High School. Alan Greene himself played baseball at Oviedo High school and has been coaching in the community for 33 years, witnessing the growth of numerous talented players.
“I mean, there’s so many. There’s (Ryan) Mountcastle, there’s Riley Greene, there’s Zach Eflin, there’s Taylor Ward and also Vaughn Grissom. A lot of those guys have actually been in this cage,” Alan Greene said.
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Walking through his training facility and batting cage in Oviedo feels like stepping into a baseball museum. Alan Greene reminisces about the memorabilia that adorns his walls, including bats from notable players and memories of the fields at the Oviedo Sports Complex.
He said what sets Oviedo apart is the spirit of teamwork.
“Those guys are not ‘me, me, me’ guys. They’re not guys that think about themselves. They think about their team. They think about the community. And when they come back into the community, they give back to the community and that’s very exciting for me to watch that,” Alan Greene said.
In 2019, News 6 was the only local station at Riley Greene’s draft party, where more than 200 friends and family members gathered to celebrate his selection as the 5th overall pick in the MLB draft. The excitement in the room was palpable as they cheered for one of their own.
Alan Greene attributes much of the success of Oviedo’s young athletes to the unwavering support from the community and the dedication of volunteer coaches. From Babe Ruth leagues to high school teams, he said those coaches have played a pivotal role in shaping the future of baseball in Oviedo.
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