Red Sox to Move to Sarasota?

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Apr 30, 2008 10:16 PM EDT

Apparently the Cincinnati Reds' departure from Sarasota doesn't mean that city has seen the last of spring training baseball. The Tampa Tribune reports that a high-ranking Sox official has been in contact with Sarasota's city manager about possibly relocating from Ft. Myers to a new ballpark/complex in Sarasota that would replace Ed Smith Stadium.

During a recent tour of Sarasota, Bartolotta said a Red Sox executive was impressed with the potential for the 50-acre Ed Smith site, Sarasota's amenities, hotels and its downtown.

The Red Sox have a long-term contract in Fort Myers that does not expire until 2019, but the team has the option to buyout of the lease starting in 2011, Bartolotta said.

Reichard said he thought one possibility, if the Red Sox do move to Sarasota, is a development of condos or shops right next to the stadium. "Over the last four years, they bought up a bunch of buildings around Fenway Park and rehabbed them," Reichard said. "They can do a big shebang here."

Definitely sounds good for Sarasota, although I feel like throwing up a little at the prospect of having both the Yankees and the Red Sox train closer to St. Pete than the Rays do. Should be interesting to see how this unfolds. The Ft. Myers facility is only 15 years old or so, so you'd think that with some modest upgrades that it would have no problem attracting another team. Hopefully that "other team" comes from Arizona and not Florida. We need to stem the exodus and reclaim some teams.

This post was written by a member of the DRaysBay community and does not necessarily express the views or opinions of DRaysBay staff.

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As long as I have a minor league team

and a spring training place in Sarasota, I am happy. I wish the Reds would stay though cuz it would be less crowded than the freaking Red Sox…..

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by SRQman on Apr 30, 2008 10:46 PM EDT reply actions

Maybe we'll see a revival of the Sarasota Red Sox?

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Apr 30, 2008 11:02 PM EDT up reply actions

PANDA TIME!

"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 30, 2008 10:48 PM EDT reply actions

AZ

Everyone is Arizona has new facilities. I’ve played at most of the complexes in the greater Phoenix area and they are all top of the line. Especially in Surprise where the Royals and Rangers train, that place is just gorgeous.

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by SeanDubbs on Apr 30, 2008 10:53 PM EDT reply actions

Please God, No...-Love SRQ

theres no room for condos near Ed Smith stadium, the area around the stadium is crappy, (and we already have enough northerners as it is). Also I don’t think they could buy buildings around the stadium as stated by the article. As it is there is a brand new development (4-5years old) of family oriented condos accross the street(which I think are restricted by low-income housing laws), a huge skating rink thats not going any where accross the street, slum housing to the north, a city owned multi-use sports facility to the north east, and less desirable condos to its south, not even counting all of the municipal service bldgs. down the street and the elementary school. Not to mention SRQ’s planning commission is on a very strict developmental plan that won’t budge for this. Besides those points, any team who moves to Sarasota for spring training, their fan base will be lucky for all the other reasons mentioned in the article.

IF only Harry Carey could be arounde for Kosuke.

by CubFanRaysaddict on May 2, 2008 12:31 AM EDT reply actions