The Grapefruit League Best of the Ballparks 2023 fan vote moves to the Final Four round, as the #2, #3 and #4 seeds were all defeated. (more…)
Tag Archives | florida
Florida Sports Facility Funds Bill Prompts Concerns for Spring Training
Florida lawmakers have advanced a bill that would prevent counties from using certain funds to finance professional sports facilities, but concerns are being raised about how it could affect spring training complexes in the state. (more…)
Florida Spring Training Generates More Than $680M in Economic Impact
The 2018 Major League Baseball spring training season in Florida generated an economic impact of $687.1 million, according to a new Florida Sports Foundation study. The study also showed that 7,152 jobs are created annually by Florida Spring Training, accounting for $253.5 million in wages. (more…)
State Could Affect Funding for Rays Ballpark
Reluctance among state lawmakers to publicly fund stadium projects could have an effect on the Tampa Bay Rays, who are in the midst of their search for a new ballpark. (more…)
Best of the Ballparks, Grapefruit League: McKechnie Field
After several rounds of voting with over 12,000 individuals participating, readers of Ballpark Digest and Spring Training Online overwhelmingly chose McKechnie Field, spring home of the Pittsburgh Pirates, as the leading Grapefruit League spring-training facility in the websites’ annual Best of the Ballparks polling. (more…)
Planning for Astros/Nats training complex to begin
We’re in Florida for spring training, so this story is entirely appropriate: the Washington Nationals and Houston Astros have received preliminary approval from West Palm Beach to begin planning for a new spring-training complex. (more…)
Minor League Baseball on tap in in Panama City Beach?
We could see a pitch for Minor League Baseball in Panama City Beach, Florida, as city and tourism officials begin the process of working out a ballpark funding plan. It’s no surprise that the Panama City/Bay County area is emerging as a potential MiLB home; more than one owner has discussed the market with us […]
New scoreboard going up at Steinbrenner Field
Another sign of spring: teams are prepping ballparks for the start of February games, and that means the installation of a new videoboard at Steinbrenner Field, spring home of the New York Yankees. The new videoboard replaces a smaller unit. This week has been spent in Florida, scouting out the spring-training sites and checking on […]
County vote on new Yankees ballpark delayed
A decision on a sales tax to fund a new Tampa Yankees (High Class A; Florida State League) ballpark has been delayed as Marion County searches for an alternative funding source. The proposal would put the issue of a half-cent sales-tax hike to referendum by Marion County voters; the proceeds would be used for a […]
Marion County to take up Yankees ballpark funding Tuesday
Marion County Commissioners will decide tomorrow whether to spend $175,000 toward a referendum on whether county residents should pay a half-cent sales tax for a new Tampa Yankees (High Class A; Florida State League) ballpark. The issue: whether to hold the referendum at the polls or use a mail-in ballot. It looked like the referendum […]
Now available: The Complete Guide to Spring Training 2014 / Florida
It’s already an Amazon best-seller: We released The Complete Guide to Spring Training 2014 / Florida eBook yesterday. You can never be too prepared. Updated for 2014, The Complete Guide to Spring Training 2014 / Florida is the perfect way to plan your spring-training trip and then guide you through the entire process, from buying […]
Miracle to quench thirst with Marco Rubio water-bottle giveaway
Yes. We have already have a giveaway tied to Marco Rubio’s seemingly insatiable thirst, as the Fort Myers Miracle (High Class A; Florida State League) are ensuring fans are properly hydrated for this summer’s baseball season by hosting a Marco Rubio water bottle giveaway night. Fans entering Hammond Stadium will receive a water bottle while […]
Now available: The Complete Guide to Spring Training 2013 / Florida
It’s already a best-seller on Amazon.com: Over the weekend we released our latest eBook, The Complete Guide to Spring Training 2013 / Florida, which covers the best of spring training in the Grapefruit League, complete with insider tips, ballpark guides and lists of events outside the ballparks. You can buy it on Amazon here. No, […]