When the Washington Nationals, Cleveland Indians, Florida Marlins and Houston Astros all moved out of previous spring-training homes, the assumption was that the old ballparks would just fade away. Instead, we have facilities that are a key part of Florida sports tourism in 2018 and beyond. (more…)
It was not a spring-training facility that anyone associated with the Washington Nationals or predecessor Montreal Expos ever explicitly chose, so it’s no surprise there won’t be too many tears shed for today’s finale at Viera’s Space Coast Stadium. (more…)
With Brevard County poised to turn over management of Space Coast Stadium to the U.S. Specialty Sports Association, Palm Bay has hired a consultant to work out a ballpark deal with the Brevard County Manatees (High Class A; Florida State League). (more…)
This isn’t the first time the two sides have chatted, but it may stick this time: Brevard County Manatees (High Class A; Florida State League) officials are talking new ballpark with nearby Palm Bay reps while also pitching management of Space Coast Stadium. (more…)
The Brevard County Manatees (High Class A; Florida State League) are bringing Date Night to Space Coast Stadium with a romantic promo running on the remaining Saturday nights left on the schedule. (more…)
A new spring-training plan from the Houston Astros and the Washington Nationals is expected in coming weeks, as the pair makes a run at a new site in West Palm Beach. We have the full details on our sister site, Spring Training Online. Basically, the pair are looking at the former site of a garbage […]
The Brevard County Manatees (High Class A; Florida State League) will not be moving to Winter Park, as team ownership ended negotiations for a new ballpark at the Ravaudage development. The Manatees had pursued new-ballpark plans at Alfond Stadium — a plan killed when Rollins College withdrew its participation — and the Ravaudage development on […]
Weird story out of spring training: the Washington Nationals were ordered by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to stop using a drone camera to photograph practices at the team’s Viera complex. The Nationals were using a drone to take photos of practices, presumably for marketing. Now, in this case, when we’re talking drone, we’re not […]
Brevard County will reach out to every MLB team in an effort to keep spring training in Viera, as officials face the loss of both Space Coast Stadium tenants. The Washington Nationals have already informed Brevard County that the team will be leaving Space Coast Stadium, citing the driving distances required for both MLB and […]
Fierce opposition from the local tourism industry caused the Osceola County Board of Commissioners to reject a $98-million spring-training complex for the Washington Nationals. The proposal would have used tourism funds to build the complex near the current Osceola County Stadium, currently the spring home of the Houston Astros. The funding formula: $88 million from […]
A final decision on a new Washington Nationals spring-training facility in Kissimmee has been delayed a month by Osceola County commissioners, as local business groups ask for time to review the agreement. The new facility would cost $98 million ($88 million from tourism taxes, $10 million from the state) and be located south of the […]
The potential move of Washington Nationals spring training to Kissimmee progressed on two fronts this week: the team basically gave notice on Space Coast Stadium and Osceola County issued an RFP for a new facility. It’s no secret the Nationals want out of Viera; the team’s lease to train at Space Coast Stadium and the […]
With the Washington Nationals definitely leaving Viera for spring training, talk is that the team is negotiating with Osceola County for a new facility in Kissimmee. This is not new: we’ve reported in the past that the Nats have met with the county via an initiative from the Kissimmee Convention and Visitor’s Bureau to bring […]
