MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro noted “two 450-gallon fish tanks were installed inside the wall behind the home-plate wall” at the new Marlins ballpark last Friday. They are “positioned on the first- and third-base sides, and currently they are not filled with water.” The fish will be “protected by shatter-proof glass, and the team has been ensured the fish will be safe.” The aquariums “will provide the fish with a home at the ballpark that is safe from crowd and stadium sound-system noises.” Marlins President David Samson said, "If we thought for one minute that the fish were in danger in any way, we wouldn't have done it" (MLB.com, 12/28).
NO DISRUPTIONS: Rose Bowl officials this week said that the ongoing stadium renovations “won't affect the 90,000-plus fans expected to attend” the Oregon-Wisconsin Rose Bowl game Monday. In L.A., Adolfo Flores noted the stadium is “undergoing a five-year, $160-million renovation that includes adding luxury seats and a new press box to the 89-year-old facility.” Rose Bowl CEO & GM Darryl Dunn said that seating “hasn't been affected by the construction.” He added that renovation work “would resume Jan. 3, the day after the game” (L.A. TIMES, 12/27).
ALL IN FAVOR? In St. Petersburg, Stephen Nohlgren cited a poll that showed that “about 55 percent of Tampa Bay area residents overall prefer Major League Baseball to remain at Tropicana Field or at a mid-Pinellas location in the Gateway area.” About 30% of respondents “favor a Hillsborough site.” The 508 people polled “were divided evenly between Hillsborough and Pinellas residents.” Among Pinellas residents, 80% “want the Rays to stay west of the bay, with 57 percent favoring the Trop site and 23 percent favoring Gateway.” Only 8% of Pinellas residents “support a Hillsborough location” (ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 12/24).
NAME CHANGE: In Albany, Pam Allen reported Keeler Motor Car Co. “has secured five-year naming rights for the concourse level sports bar at the Times Union Center.” Keeler will “take over naming rights at what is now called Citizen’s Bank Club, named for Citizens Bank.” Keeler’s club sponsorship “takes effect in February 2012, when Citizens’ existing five-year sponsorship expires.” The 50-seat club is “open to the public, and can also be reserved for private parties during special events” (BIZJOURNALS.com, 12/28). Times Union Center GM Bob Belber yesterday said that Keeler “will pay close to $250,000 over the five-year life of the contract” (Albany TIMES UNION, 12/29).
