Baltimore likely headed to Sarasota for Spring Training

Posted Jul 21, 2009 by TBO.com

Updated Jul 21, 2009 at 03:10 PM

Sarasota County officials announced today that they are prepared to take a tentative memorandum of understanding to the Sarasota County Commission with the Baltimore Orioles. If accepted by the commission, the agreement would bring the team to Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota for spring training in 2010.

“We’ve held many productive discussions with the Orioles representatives over the past several weeks,” said Deputy County Administrator Dave Bullock, the county’s principal negotiator with the team.

“We’re pleased that we’ve reached an understanding with the team that will bring them to Sarasota and preserve the long history that Sarasota has had with major league baseball.”

The deal is contingent upon Sarasota approving an environmental indemnity clause in its interlocal agreement which will transfer Ed Smith Stadium to the county. City officials will meet Wednesday to discuss the agreement.