Spring training promotes baseball culture, which is what the Marlins and Rays need. Transplants from New York are going to root for the Mets or Yankees no matter what.

Ridiculous. The Marlins don't draw for three reasons. One, they haven't consistently put out a good product. Two, ownership has thoroughly alienated the potential fanbase. Three, South Florida is filled to the brim with transplants who retain their loyalties to the teams they grew up with. Spring training teams in Florida don't affect any of the above reasons for the Marlins' non support.

Marlins ownership just destroy any chance of growing the fan base any chance they get...They have basically said to us fans FU

we need to suck it up and take whatever they force-feed us and like it

Why? I love having it here. It's great. Entirely different atmosphere from regular games. In a good way.

 

In a very good way. Almost always perfect weather to be outside for a family and fan friendly atmosphere. It's just a different feeling being at ST games. Baseball fans show up no matter who is playing and enjoy some (what I call) Chamber Of Commerce weather.

According to today's PBP, it looks like my fav site (for purely selfish reasons) may be out of the running. But they still have some very good options. Seems as if funding is going to be the main hurdle. If it goes on the ballot I have doubts it would get done. The "debacle" of funding for Marlins Park is too fresh on the minds of folks in this county. Whether that is fair or not is irrelevant. There would have to be a mega-major PR blitz to get voters to approve anything like this.