In Cleveland, Kevin Kleps noted the "largest number of subzero days since at least" '79 in the area "hasn’t stopped the construction crews" at Progressive Field from keeping on schedule for the ballpark's renovations to be ready for Opening Day. Still, Indians President Mark Shapiro said that the club "needs the weather to warm up quite a bit next month in order to put some of the finishing touches on the Gate C entrance and the upper deck in right field" (CRAINSCLEVELAND.com, 2/25).
IMPERFECT PITCH: In Salt Lake City, Christopher Kamrani reports Real Salt Lake Owner Dell Loy Hansen's "quest to build a minor league soccer stadium at the Utah State Fairpark is dead." Hansen on Wednesday said that he has "rescinded his offer to finance and build an 8,000-seat facility" for RSL's incoming USL team, the Real Monarchs (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 2/26).
KNIGHT WRITER: In New Jersey, Keith Sargeant notes state Sen. Raymond Lesniak "sent a letter" to Rutgers President Robert Barchi urging him to "invest in a new facility" for the men's basketball team. Lesniak wrote, "We're in the Big Ten. We should act like it.'' Rutgers AD Julie Hermann has said that the department is "conducting a feasibility study to address all of the athletics facilities." The feasibility study will "presumably address the question of what upgraded facilities would cost, but Lesniak put the price tag" at $30M in his letter to Barchi (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 2/27).
