Fan's Guide to Manatee Baseball's State Playoff Run

The Manatee High baseball team heads off to Port St. Lucie today for this weekend's Class 5A state semifinals — the first time the Hurricanes have gotten this far since 1963.

Whether you're driving out to the game or just want some more info about the Canes' playoff run, you're in luck. Here's everything you need to know:

When do they play?

The Canes' state semifinal game against Lakeland High is set for 5 p.m. Friday.

Where is it at?

The game — and all the FHSAA baseball finals — will be played at Digital Domain Park in Port St. Lucie.

Why does that sound familiar?

The 7,160-seat ballpark, built in 1988, is the spring training home of the New York Mets. It's also home to the St. Lucie Mets of the Class-A Advanced Florida State League — an opponent of the Bradenton Marauders. The M's next visit the stadium on June 26-27.

The ballpark was previously known as Thomas J. White Stadium (1988-2004) and Tradition Field (2005-10) before taking the name of a visual effects and animation company last year in a corporate sponsorship deal.

View a seating chart of the stadium here and an A-Z guide here.

How do I get there?

The stadium is located at 525 NW Peacock Blvd., Port St. Lucie, FL 34986.

According to Mapquest.com, it's a 3-hour, 10-minute drive from Manatee High to Digital Domain Park, or 151 miles. You can basically take State Road 70 East almost the entire way, straight across the state.

How much does it cost?

Admission is $8.

What should I wear?

Canes parents and families are on Friday as a show of support. And, if the team makes it to Saturday's state final, they're wearing blue.

What's the weather outlook?

The National Weather Service is calling for a high of 87 degrees and sunny skies on Friday in Port St. Lucie, with a low of 68. Saturday's forecast calls for a high of 86, a low of 69 and mostly sunny skies.

Can I listen to the game?

Yes — PSBLive.com is scheduled to carry a live audio broadcast of the game at 5 p.m.

How did the Canes get this far?

Manatee has gone 22-8 this season under the guidance of , a Canes alum. They defeated Tampa King, Tampa Gaither, and Largo Pinellas Park in the Class 5A-Region 3 tournament by a combined score of 40-14. Two of those victories came via the 10-run rule.

Who do they play now?

Manatee's game on Friday is against Lakeland High (26-4), the Region 2 champs.

Aren't these football schools?

Both Manatee and Lakeland are traditionally known as high school football powerhouses with recent success on the gridiron.

Manatee, of course, has won four state football titles under legendary head coach Joe Kinnan. Lakeland has claimed six state championships in the past 25 years, as well as two "national championships" in 2005 and 2006. Famous Dreadnaughts football alumni include brothers Maurkice and Mike Pouncey and Chris Rainey, who went on to play for the Florida Gators, and former NFL and XFL player Rod "He Hate Me" Smart.

Manatee last won a state baseball title in 1963, the Bradenton Herald writes. It's been even longer for the Dreadnaughts: Lakeland's last state baseball crown came in 1959.

What happens if Manatee wins Friday?

If the Canes get past Lakeland, they'll play in the Class 5A state championship game at 7 p.m. Saturday in Port St. Lucie against the West Boca Raton-Pace winner. Those schools meet at 8 p.m. Friday in the other semifinal.