Orioles Finalize Spring Training Agreement For Sarasota
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Orioles Moving Spring Training Operations
From Fort Lauderdale Next Season |
The Orioles have reached an agreement with the city and county of Sarasota to move their spring training operations to Ed Smith Stadium, effective for the '10 season. The agreement includes a series of extensive renovations to both Ed Smith Stadium and Twin Lakes Park, the team's minor league facility (Orioles). In Baltimore, Dan Connolly notes the Sarasota County Board of Commissioners yesterday voted 4-1 to "approve a memorandum of understanding with the Orioles, which includes a 30-year lease with the team" and $31.2M in renovations to Ed Smith Stadium and Twin Lakes Park. Sarasota City Commissioners earlier yesterday voted 3-2 to "sell the Ed Smith property to Sarasota County for $1 and agreed to contractual language that included some environmental indemnity for the club and county." The county then had to "approve that inter-local agreement as well as the funding allocation ... and the memorandum of understanding." All of the motions passed by a 4-1 vote. There are "still a few administrative details that need to be finalized, including some design aspects and the rejection of the 2010 option at obsolete Fort Lauderdale Stadium." For the first time since '95, the Orioles' major and minor league teams "will be located within a 15-minute drive." Orioles President of Baseball Operations Andy MacPhail: "You have no idea how enthusiastic the baseball side is. We have been working under a handicap for 15 years" (Baltimore SUN, 7/23).
FUTURE DETAILS: In Sarasota, Roger Drouin notes the Orioles and local officials have 150 days to "reach a final agreement." The team is "scheduled to start training in Sarasota next spring in the stadium as-is." Meanwhile, Drouin notes there will be a kiosk at Camden Yards "advertising Sarasota and promotional ads on Orioles' television and radio networks." The Orioles also plan to host a Sarasota Night at Camden Yards. Under the agreement, Sarasota officials "will get once-a-year use of the Orioles' luxury suite at Camden Yards to woo meeting planners and make economic development contacts." Orioles attorney Alan Rifkin said that the team "would act as a conduit to introduce Sarasota officials to high-wage industries" in the Baltimore-DC area (Sarasota HERALD TRIBUNE, 7/23).
south beach diet: In Maryland, Rich Dubroff notes the Orioles held Spring Training in Ft. Lauderdale for 13 years, and "its only advantage was its location -- for fun." But now Sarasota has "grown and has lots of hotel and dining options, with many nearby beaches." Spring Training in Sarasota "seems like a huge step forward" (CARROLL COUNTY TIMES, 7/23). In Miami, Smiley & Navarro note South Florida, "once a thriving spring destination with Major League teams training in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, will be left next February and March without" an MLB team during Spring Training for the first time since 1950. The "closest training complex will likely be Jupiter, spring home" for the Marlins and Cardinals, which is about 85 miles away (MIAMI HERALD, 7/23).
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