subject: An Orlando Sports To-do List [print this page] Orlando, Florida, "The City Beautiful" is home to Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Studios, some of the tallest skyscrapers in the state of Florida, and more than 2.3 million people. Set on the eastern coast of the Florida panhandle, Orlando is named for pioneer Orlando Rees, as he was the first to succeed at cattle ranching in the region and thus purchased several large estates. Genealogical and historical evidence supports the Rees story, but there is another tale of the origin of Orlando. Local legend states that a young soldier named Orlando Reeves was killed during the Second Seminole War; however military records show no evidence of an Orlando Reeves.
Now back to sports. Sports fans can certainly appreciate and enjoy all that Orlando has to offer. The Orlando Magic NBA team is based there, as is the Orlando City USL Pro soccer team. Coming up in 2012, is the NBA All-Star Game, which was also held in Orlando in 1992. The All-star Game and the Orlando Magic Games, always draw a few celebrities to the events. the NBA Orlando Summer League and the NBA Pre-Draft camp, takes place in Orlando each year. Orlando loves its basketball!
The Orlando Predators Arena Football League team has had a 19 season play-off streak. Mens and ladies football and basketball teams are hosted through the University of Central Florida, UCF Knights athletic program. Now football is the big sport in Florida, and Orlando is no exception. The Orlando Predators were mentioned above, but there is also Orlando Fantasy - an indoor football league for women. Kenny McEntyre, is the coach of the the women's team (which has only played two seasons), but with his five-star coaching skills, they are bound to succeed.
Professional wrestling events are often hosted in Orlando, some by the World Wrestling Entertainment's (WWE) Wrestlemania and others by World Championship Wrestling. Although they are two very different events, both draw huge crowds. Eventually a State League was created in Orlando after professional baseball gained popularity in the 1920's. The Atlanta Braves and the Houston Astros do their annual spring training here, even though there is no professional local team here. Major League Baseball winter meetings occur in the Orlando area and the draft was held there for many years right up until 2009. Baseball is a top pastime in Orlando, and with such a sunny, mild climate, that is no surprise..
