February 10, 200521 yr http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll.../502100497/1006 SARASOTA COUNTY -- Everyone knows Florida is synonymous with baseball's spring training. But Sarasota may risk losing its 81-year connection to the boys of summer if the city and county can't pony up money for an improved stadium. The city and the Cincinnati Reds, who have called Sarasota their spring home since 1998, have asked the county to contribute up to $5 million to help rebuild the 16-year-old, city- owned Ed Smith Sports Complex. But, so far, the sales pitch is getting a chilly response from some county commissioners. Those commissioners say they have more pressing needs to tend to, plus the city is already on record as asking for help for another questionable joint venture -- a downtown conference center. City officials, who are also being asked to commit $5 million, say the county's involvement could be critical to keeping the Reds in Sarasota. "I can't see how the city can foot the whole bill," said Pat Calhoon, sports facilities manager for the city of Sarasota. The city and the Reds also are counting on at least $15 million from the state Legislature to help pay for the estimated $40 million stadium rehab project. With a major facelift to the stadium, the Reds say they would be prepared to sign a 20-year lease, cementing Sarasota's spot in the Grapefruit League. The city's 10-year lease with the Reds expires in 2008. While they consider the stadium's future, Sarasota city and county officials are planning a trip Friday to Clearwater to see recent renovations at the Philadelphia Phillies' training complex. Calhoon said the Clearwater stadium is the envy of all the older parks in Florida. Friday's trip may help the county commissioners understand the extent of problems at Sarasota's complex. Some training fields flood for days at a time, the clubhouses are cramped, workout facilities are shabby and the stadium isn't well-equipped for the disabled. Ed Smith Stadium is one of three spring training sites in Florida that haven't received significant upgrades in the past 10 years. Winter Haven and Fort Lauderdale, the other two, also are asking the state to help pay for renovation work at their stadiums. Officials with the Reds say they don't expect taxpayers to foot the entire bill for fixing up Ed Smith: The franchise would also contribute to the project, but team officials on Wednesday refused to say just how much they're willing to pay. While the county and city have talked about supporting the push for a new stadium, Wednesday was the first time they've publicly acknowledged what it will cost taxpayers. Sarasota Mayor Richard Martin said everyone in the community will have to decide whether being considered a baseball town is of value -- and what they are willing to pay to continue that legacy. Major league teams have trained in Sarasota since 1924. Martin said he wants to keep that tradition alive, but he admits asking local taxpayers for millions is going to make that difficult. "Where we are coming up with that, I just don't know yet," Martin said. The city is considering the $5 million contribution, Martin said, but any financial commitment will have to go to a citywide vote. On Wednesday, the county commissioners indicated again they are willing to help the city lobby for state money for the project, but they're reluctant to contribute from county coffers. With millions of dollars in unmet needs for sidewalks, roads and sewers, County Commissioner Nora Patterson said funding a 16-year-old baseball stadium used by the Reds only part of the year isn't high on her priority list. "It's tough to commit those resources," added County Commission Chairman Paul Mercier. Although the Reds aren't threatening to leave Sarasota yet, Martin said if the city and county can't get the stadium renovated, the club is likely look elsewhere for a deal. It's a familiar scenario. Both the Chicago White Sox and the Texas Rangers have walked away from the area in recent years over stadium issues. The White Sox left Sarasota in 1998 and the Rangers left Charlotte County in 2002 for Arizona for better stadium deal. Jeff Maultsby, the team's Florida operations manager, said the Reds are in no way threatening to move, but city officials said the team may be tempted to start looking. Maultsby said the club is happy in Sarasota and wants to get the type of complex that will allow them to sign a 20-year lease. He wouldn't say what will happen if the community can't offer up a new stadium plan in the next couple of years, but did acknowledge the Reds don't want to wait until 2007 to sort out their situation. "We've made it abundantly clear that we have every intention to stay," Maultsby said.
February 11, 200521 yr Ed Smith is right up I-75 from me. Pretty nice, needs the updates to compete with the 2 Fort Myers facilities though. It is also home to the Florida High School Baseball Tournament.
February 11, 200521 yr Didn't the Red Sox recently ask the State for money to renovate their Spring Training facility, too?
February 11, 200521 yr Didn't the Red Sox recently ask the State for money to renovate their Spring Training facility, too? 682362[/snapback] No they asked Lee County and the City of Fort Myers.
February 11, 200521 yr Didn't the Red Sox recently ask the State for money to renovate their Spring Training facility, too? 682362[/snapback] No they asked Lee County and the City of Fort Myers. 682380[/snapback] Ahh... thanks for clarifying.
February 11, 200521 yr Red Sox play at City of Palm Park in Fort Myers near Downtown. Twins play at Hammond Stadium, located in the Stars Complex, in South Fort Myers near the Six Mile Cypress.
February 16, 200521 yr alot of the stadiums were damaged in the hurricane season, giving the teams more reason to ask for improvements and remodeling.
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