The folks looking to develop a new spring-training base for the Chicago Cubs in Naples, Fla., say they think they still have a shot at landing the team, but we’re not sure whether or not this is purely a case of wishful thinking. Today is the soft deadline for the city of Mesa to put […]
Judge: Orioles-Sarasota deal stands
A Florida circuit judge refused to strike down the contract between the Baltimore Orioles and Sarasota County for public funding of an Ed Smith Stadium renovation, saying that the deal can move forward with no changes. Circuit Judge Bob Bennett ruled against all objections to the contract raised by Sarasota Citizens for Responsible Government and […]
Cubs, Mesa working on new spring-ballpark agreement
Despite an impending deadline that ends the exclusive negotiating period between Mesa and the Chicago Cubs over a new spring-training facility, Mesa officials say a new agreement is in the works, and they’re confident the Cubs are committed to the Phoenix suburb for the long haul. The original agreement between the Cubs and Mesa ends […]
Cactus League: Spring training had $348 million impact on Arizona economy
The total impact on the Arizona economy, according to the Cactus League, was $348 million, or 3 percent less than in 2009 — a small decline but not a bad one given the state of the economy and a much shorter spring-training season. The impact in 2009 was previously estimated to be $359.5 million. Spring […]
Groundbreaking for new BoSox spring facility set for Aug. 27
The ceremonial groundbreaking for the new Fort Myers spring-training complex is set for Aug. 27, when the Red Sox are playing in St. Pete. The new complex, located in Lee County near the airport, is set to open in 2012. The Red Sox will have one final spring training at City of Palms Park in […]
Judge refuses to block Ed Smith Stadium renovations
Given that a lawsuit alleging violations of state open-meeting laws was unlikely to prevail, a Florida judge refused to shut down renovations of Ed Smith Stadium, the spring home of the Baltimore Orioles, allowing work to proceed for a 2011 opening. The process by which the county is selling bonds is the subject of a […]
Arizona authority running out of funds for Cactus League facilities
The Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority, already facing some serious financial issues, is cutting back its funding for Cactus League spring-training camps and may not be able to help future projects — including a new Chicago Cubs facility. The issue: a drastic decline in tourism spending is putting far less into ASTA coffers than anticipated. […]
Sarasota approves Ed Smith Stadium renovation contracts
The renovation of Ed Smith Stadium, slated to be done by Spring Training 2011, is back on after construction contracts were awarded by Sarasota County. Ed Smith Stadium is the spring home of the Baltimore Orioles. When the Orioles negotiated a move to Sarasota before Spring Training 2010, they negotiated an upgrade to Ed Smith […]
Mesa: We’ll finance Cubs ballpark on our own
Faced with the reality of no available state funds, the city will borrow against 11,000 acres of land and raise hotel taxes to finance a new $84 million spring-training facility for the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs have been training in Mesa for 50 years, but new team ownership informed the city it would be exercising […]
Tradition Field now Digital Domain Park
Digital Domain Park, the spring home of the New York Mets and regular-season home of the St. Lucie Mets (High Class A; Florida State League), has a new name after the sale of naming rights. The deal, announced today by the Mets, came after Core Communities, which held the naming rights for the former Tradition […]