In West Palm Beach, Joe Capozzi noted when the Marlins open Spring Training tomorrow, fans will "not have access" to the sidewalk outside Roger Dean Stadium. Additionally, if any autograph seekers "manage to sneak by, they will find the gate covered by a mesh screen, recently installed to block anyone from reaching through the gates." Some players last year "complained to team officials about the same 'autograph brokers' ... who would set up on lawn chairs behind the fences at 5 a.m. every day to get signatures." Sources said that with Barry Bonds joining the team as hitting coach this year, the Marlins "decided to restrict access" (PALMBEACHPOST.com, 2/17).
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION: In Orlando, Josh Robbins reported the Magic will "choose among four potential venues as the home site" for their Florida-based NBA D-League affiliate. Magic CEO Alex Martins said that the "possible locations are ESPN Wide World of Sports’ HP Field House, Kissimmee’s Silver Spurs Arena, Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena and The Lakeland Center." Martins added that officials representing each location "have informed the Magic they intend to submit proposals." Those proposals "are due to the Magic by the end of March" (ORLANDOSENTINEL.com, 2/17).
THE GREAT OUTDOORS: In Minneapolis, Sid Hartman writes the Wild "won’t get rich" on Saturday's NHL Stadium Series outdoor game against the Blackhawks, with their "share of the million-dollar gate being 1/10-plus of their normal gate at Xcel Energy Center." The rest of the revenue "will be divided among the NHL’s 30 teams." The league also reportedly "considered holding the game at Target Field, but got a better deal for TCF Bank Stadium" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 2/18).
