The new Ballpark of the Palm Beaches yesterday "experienced a few opening-day jitters," but it was "mostly a day of celebrations" for the Spring Training facility shared by the Nationals and Astros, according to Joe Capozzi of the PALM BEACH POST. The Nationals-Astros tilt saw an "announced attendance of 5,987 that fell well short of a sellout of 7,500 for the much-hyped" $150M facility’s inaugural game, and there were "complaints about concessions." But MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, who was at the game, said, "It is an amazing feat to build a complex this extensive in 15 months. I know along the way I’m sure there were some nervous people in terms of making sure it got delivered, but here we are. We are open and we are up and running.” But Capozzi notes "not everything was up and running," as the Hickory Sausage Shack in the left field concourse was "one of several concession stands that lost power, causing long lines at other stands" (PALM BEACH POST, 3/1). The AP's Chuck King noted some concession stands "won't open for a few more games [and] not all bathrooms had hot water." But what was "accomplished in 15 months since the ballpark's approval is being lauded by players, coaches, fans" and Manfred (AP, 2/28). In DC, Jorge Castillo notes as fans "streamed in, game-day staff members ... placed number stickers on seats." Some workers "cleaned the Due South party deck’s floors while construction equipment was cleared and laid by the stadium’s main entrance a couple hours before" Manfred cut a ceremonial ribbon (WASHINGTON POST, 3/1). In West Palm Beach, Dave George writes there is "undoubtedly some paint touch-up work and vacuuming and whatnot to be done at the end of this 15-month construction rush job, and some easy customer-service tweaking, too" (PALM BEACH POST, 3/1).
HOME OF THE BRAVES: In Atlanta, Tim Tucker notes the Sarasota County Commission yesterday "approved an agreement outlining key terms" of a deal to build a $75.4M Spring Training complex for the Braves. The county "voted 4-1 to approve a 27-page term sheet/letter of intent previously accepted" by the club. The term sheet calls for the ballpark and training complex to be "built in the city of North Port and to be funded by Sarasota County, the state of Florida, North Port, the Braves and a private developer." The deal includes more than $40M in taxpayer money, with North Port’s city commission "expected to vote on the terms next week" (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 3/1).
