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By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
TALLAHASSEE - The Tampa Bay Devil Rays got the rubber stamp they needed today to ensure they can move their spring training base to Charlotte County in 2009.
Five spring training sites - including Charlotte County - received $15 million grants as part of Florida’s campaign to keep Major League Baseball in the Sunshine State.
Also getting the matching grants for ballpark improvements today were Sarasota (Cincinnati Reds), Bradenton (Pittsburgh Pirates), Fort Lauderdale (Baltimore Orioles) and St. Lucie County (New York Mets).
The money from the governor’s Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development will be spread out over the next 30 years.
‘’This is a ‘Hallelujah, Amen,’ ‘’ Charlotte County Parks and Recreation Director Laura Kleiss-Hoeft said. ‘’I’m breathing a lot easier today.’’
Charlotte plans to complete its contract with a builder for a $47 million remodeling of Charlotte Sports Park for the Rays. Construction should begin in July and be completed by summer 2008.
Bradenton can now start work on $18 million in renovations to McKechnie Field and Pirate City. Sarasota plans to use the money to entice a private developer to invest in a $54 million project for the Reds.
Fort Lauderdale Stadium, spring home of the Orioles, and Tradition Field in Port St. Lucie, home of the Mets, also will get facelifts.
Spring training in Florida generates around $450 million in a six-week stretch in February and March. Last year, a record 1.6 million fans attended spring training games. Eighteen teams play in 17 locations in Florida.
The Kansas City Royals, Texas Rangers and Chicago White Sox have left Florida in the past decade for better deals in Arizona, and the Cleveland Indians plan to leave
Clearly keeping the status quo isn’t working for the Rays. Seems to be the franchise is trying to extend its regional appeal and this is but another step toward meeting that goal. I would have thought Orlando would be better, but maybe that deal wasn’t tenable. Point is, bay area folks haven’t filled the seats so the team has had to reach beyond those shores. Of course, presenting a WINNING TEAM usually means there is no attendance issue. Just ask the Bucs and Lightning… (though now both are in danger).
I think this is a good move by the Rays to increase their fanbase in an area that is in driving distance to regular season games. I believe they will draw better during Spring Training and the regular season as a result. Spring Training attendance isn’t that good in St. Pete as it is - probably because Rays fans can just wait until April to attend games that count.
Being a St. Pete Native and NEVER missing an opening day Training Camp.. I have to say this is just another way to assure that OUR stadium remains empty!!! To get the community excited and involved is the ONLY way to fill the seats… SO sure makes perfect sense to move Spring Training!!
Will be thinking HARD about renewing my Season Tix that I have had from DAY 1!!
attendance was bad enough, now we will have to drive god knows how fare to see the rays in the spring games.
BAD MOVE....
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Posted by Kathi Hitchman, Lutz, FL on 01/03 at 04:26 PM
My family and friends will attest to my LOVE for baseball. I am not however a fan of indoor venues, nor the awful drive to St. Pete for Rays games. The traffic and parking is a nightmare, for those reasons I have admired the fans who attended the games whether spring training or regular season. Way to go, now you have possibly alienated those loyal fans who did attend. What are you guys thinking? Or are you?