- February 11, 2026
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One color defined Mark Sobolewski’s practice outfit. He was dressed in Riverview High maroon, from head to toe.
Well, almost. His shoes of choice Feb. 9 were dusty black Nikes with white soles. The swooshes, though, matched with the rest of his monochromatic look.
The cold spell over Southwest Florida finally lifted earlier this week, and for the first time in a long time, the coach could comfortably leave his jacket and beanie at home.
He could now embrace maroon athletic wear as a true Rams representative.
Sobolewski formally embarked on his first season as Riverview baseball coach with Feb. 10’s season opener. He’s been in charge of the program since May 2025, but after many months of preparation, the time has arrived to play ball.
“We’ve done everything except the fun part,” Sobolewski said. “The real reward is the spring season and the games.”
It figures to be a year of firsts. Not only is this his first go-around leading the Rams, but it’s also his first head-coaching position at any level.
He was an assistant for Riverview in 2024. Beforehand, he served as an assistant at Sarasota High for seven seasons on legendary coach Clyde Metcalf’s staff.
Anyone can dress to look the part of a coach, but it’s another thing to actually play it. Sobolewski does — he’s well-positioned to thrive in this new role.
“I was pretty pumped when I found out he was going to be my coach for my senior year,” said senior outfielder/shortstop JR Hudson. “He’s here to win, and that’s what he’s going to do.”
Sobolewski’s own upbringing on the diamond hails back to this area. He played for Sarasota in 2004-06, and as a senior shortstop, batted .427 with eight home runs and 30 RBIs. He also graduated as the nation’s No. 40 prospect in the Class of 2006, per Baseball America.
Taking his game to Miami, he exploded onto the college baseball scene. Sobolewski was the team’s second-leading hitter with a .345 batting average and led all Hurricanes with 88 hits, ultimately being named a freshman All-American by Baseball America and Louisville Slugger.
The then-third baseman was promptly selected by the Toronto Blue Jays at 129th overall in the fourth round of the 2008 MLB Draft. He went on to spend six seasons in the minors.
Playing among professionals on a day-to-day basis is the only way to truly understand a professional standard. Sobolewski has the power to re-create that standard.
If his players’ sentiments are any indication, he already has.
“He’s a hard-working guy, he’s focused and straight to the point, which I really like about him,” said senior infielder Luca Meehan. “He came in here and made it rigorous. He’s really changed the program.”
The bar for Riverview baseball isn’t set so high. It has long played second fiddle to rival Sarasota, and in more recent years, just trying to be third fiddle locally has been a struggle.
Over the last three seasons, the Rams have gone 29-49 and failed to make a regional appearance. That sorry stretch includes a 7-18 finish in 2025, marking their worst during that time.
Success was evident when they won the 2022 FHSAA Class 7A-District 8 title en route to an 18-9 record. Earning wins has been difficult ever since.
“You can’t ignore what happened the last few years,” Sobolewski said. “But you also need to use that as fuel and move on. You’ve got to learn and then get better, so our focus has been on development and improvement.”
He also said he sees potential — lots of it. Coming from someone with elite expertise, there’s substance to that statement.
The first-year coach got familiar with this team during its summer, fall and winter programs. Hours upon hours were spent in the weight room, on the track and out on the field.
If there’s one thing he already knows about the Rams, it’s that they have options.
“There’s good, competitive depth. They’re athletic and they’re versatile,” Sobolewski said. “I don’t think we’re stuck with having to play guys in just one or two spots.”
Months of learning didn’t constitute a one-way street, though. His players gradually gained an understanding of his approach and how he will lead them.
The Rams were in need of a program-changing figure — those aren’t common. Any coach can claim they’ll make real change, but only a select few actually do.
Ultimately, Sobolewski is in position to prove himself among the latter.
“We respect him a lot. Everything he does helps us out,” Hudson said. “He knows what he’s doing, and so we feel that no matter what he teaches us, it’s definitely the right thing.”
It must be a strange feeling to switch sides after so many years of loyalty to orange. Sarasota versus Riverview is, after all, one of this region’s most heated rivalries.
This is Sobolewski's new kingdom. Clad in maroon, he looks the part of king.
