Reps from the city on Florida’s panhandle have reached out to the ownership of Huntsville Stars about a new ballpark in the rapidly growing municipality.
Reps from Panama City, located on Florida’s panhandle, have reached out to the ownership of Huntsville Stars (Class AA; Southern League) about a new ballpark in the rapidly growing municipality.
The city is on the rise; a new airport just opened, and there are 300 acres of municipal-controlled land in the airport area open for development. The plan would be for the city to contribute the land and possible some sort of tax-increment financing as part of a larger development project that includes a new ballpark.
We’re told two groups are looking to bring baseball to the area, and at least one has contacted the Stars about a possible sale of the franchise. The city is solidly in Southern League territory; it’s certainly not outside any existing travel routes and would be a good geographic fit.
There’s also been talk that the groups have approached another Southern League team; the two most likely candidates are the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx (a team sold in recent years, but current ownership seems to have settled in) and the Carolina Mudcats, who have also fielded sale offers in recent years. The territory is probably more suited for Carolina League or Sally League action than a Southern League team.
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