Fort Myers - a three-team town?
Posted on November 3rd, 2008 – 5:18 PMBy La Velle
After realizing that pushing for a cushy stadium deal in this economic climate is insane, the Boston Red Sox have reached agreement with Fort Myers, Fla, that should keep them in town for another 30 years.
Boston met several times in recent weeks with Sarasota officials about moving their spring training base there. But the cost of giving the Red Sox what they wanted was just too much with the economy in flux.
So the Red Sox turned back to Fort Myers and worked out a long-term deal. The Red Sox currently don’t have a great set-up, logistically. They work out on fields a couple miles away from City of Palms Park. The Twins, on the other hand, have a set-up that many teams envy: several fields and a main stadium at one site. And fans are allowed to walk around most of the complex.
But here’s one nugget of the story that got my attention:
The Red Sox will move into the new facility in 2012….with the vacancy coming at City of Palms Park, the Sox were on board with Lee County attempting to lure a third team to the area, joining the Sox and Twins.
When I arrived in Fort Myers for my first Twins spring training in 1998, I thought I was in a semi-sleepy town. Fort Myers has grown since them, and I think it’s big enough for a third team - although the visions of gridlock there are making my fingers tremble as I write this.
Cleveland sniffed around Fort Myers a couple times and even approached the Twins once about sharing their site at the Lee County Sports Complex. The Twins, smartly, declined. But the Tribe are on their way to Goodyear, Ariz., next year.
The Reds are headed to Arizona after cutting ties with Sarasota. The Dodgers have ended their long association with Vero Beach and are headed to the Cactus League too. The Orioles, who played in the worst stadium on the spring circuit, are replacing The Dodge at Vero.
So who knows which team could become the third wheel in Fort Myers? Maybe the city can be the first to lure a team out West back to Florida after watching so many teams migrate out there in recent years. But it would be easier for fans to visit spring training and catch a game.
5 Responses to "Fort Myers - a three-team town?"
And aren’t the Rangers moving to Port Charlotte?
It’s a drag playing the same teams over and over but, still, with 4 teams within a reasonable drive, I’d pretty much never have to anything but watch baseball.
I believe it’s the Rays moving to Port Charlotte. I also hate how they play the same teams over and over again, especially the Red Sox. It’d be nice if they traveled through the entire state of Florida. I would love it if they played the Braves at Disney, I’ve gone to games there and they are a lot of fun. But nothing beats going down to Fort Myers and watching baseball games in that great atmosphere then going to the beach on Sanibel island.
III,
When do the Reds leave? Catching a game in Sarasota is always a blast…and the drive down the Siesta Key is beautiful.
[…] Twins Insider – […]
“After realizing that pushing for a cushy stadium deal in this economic climate is insane,”
La Velle - what?
Ft. Myers is committing $80 million for a new stadium & complex for the Red Sox. Sarasota offered $60 million.
