Sarasota County Vote May End Reds Camp

[Birdsfan]

The Sarasota County Commission today voted 3-2 in favor of contributing 17.6 million dollars toward a remodeled spring training facility for the Reds. Unfortunately, the measure needed to gain four votes in order to pass. That one vote, may now mean that the Reds move to Arizona in 2009. What a shame for Reds fans! :irked:

 

 

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[ColonelCrazy]

It is a shame for those Reds fans, like BF, who travel to Sarasota each spring for spring training; however, the new facility in Goodyear, AZ is going to be state-of-the-art.

 

It is going to be a shared facility that both the Cleveland Indians & Reds will be using, if all goes according to plan. It sounds very impressive.

[ColonelCrazy]

Here is the article that I read last week:

http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080117&content_id=2349876&vkey=news_cin&fext=.jsp&c_id=cin

 

It sounds like the city of Sarasota has really dropped the ball...

[Birdsfan]

It is a shame for those Reds fans, like BF, who travel to Sarasota each spring for spring training; however, the new facility in Goodyear, AZ is going to be state-of-the-art.

 

It is going to be a shared facility that both the Cleveland Indians & Reds will be using, if all goes according to plan. It sounds very impressive.

The problem is, they lose some of their most loyal fans. This will turn a lot of people off.

[ColonelCrazy]

The problem is, they lose some of their most loyal fans. This will turn a lot of people off.

 

This is not the Reds fault. And, I find it hard to believe that they'll actually lose their most loyal fans.

 

I understand where you're coming from, BF. I know you go down there for an extended period of time, but the Reds deserve a 1st class facility and if the city of Sarasota isn't willing to give it to them, then they need to look elsewhere.

[Jim Schue]

The Sarasota County Commission today voted 3-2 in favor of contributing 17.6 million dollars toward a remodeled spring training facility for the Reds. Unfortunately, the measure needed to gain four votes in order to pass. That one vote, may now mean that the Reds move to Arizona in 2009. What a shame for Reds fans! :irked:

 

 

Full Story

 

Why Arizona? Is there an accompanying motion to the vote that said if the upgrades to the stadium get voted down that the Reds have to leave the state of Florida?

[cshs81]

While I think it will hurt attendance at spring training games, this will have zero impact on attendance at GABP.

 

Too bad. Sarasota/Siesta Key is a great place for ST baseball.

[Birdsfan]

Why Arizona? Is there an accompanying motion to the vote that said if the upgrades to the stadium get voted down that the Reds have to leave the state of Florida?

No, the Reds having been shopping for new locations since a bond issue failed in Sarasota this past year. Arizona is one of their leading options.

[ColonelCrazy]

Why Arizona? Is there an accompanying motion to the vote that said if the upgrades to the stadium get voted down that the Reds have to leave the state of Florida?

 

Some cities in Arizona have taken a very pro-active approach in trying to attract other teams to go West for the spring. Goodyear, AZ is just one particular city which has made a push for the Reds, among others.

 

It's a suburb of Phoenix and personally think it would be a great decision for the Reds. The Cactus League has some very competitive baseball and the weather is amazing.

[Birdsfan]

This is not the Reds fault. And, I find it hard to believe that they'll actually lose their most loyal fans.

 

I understand where you're coming from, BF. I know you go down there for an extended period of time, but the Reds deserve a 1st class facility and if the city of Sarasota isn't willing to give it to them, then they need to look elsewhere.

No, actually it isn't about me. We weren't planning to go down anymore. But what I can tell you is that there are countless people from our area who go down to Sarasota for some amount of time every year. They now would face several days of driving, or a six-hour (not including stopovers) flight to Arizona. VERY few will do that. And yes, these people are generally the Reds most loyal fans. And I can guarantee you that a move out of Florida will hurt them in the PR department.

[Birdsfan]

While I think it will hurt attendance at spring training games, this will have zero impact on attendance at GABP.

It depends. If they stay within Florida, there will be no effect at all. If they CHOOSE to move to Arizona, it will be a slap in the face to their most loyal fans for sure. I would expect some backlash at the ticket booth from such a move.

[cshs81]

or a six-hour (not including stopovers) flight to Arizona. .

 

Not that it changes your point but PHX is about a 4 hour flight.

 

I don't think its possbile to fly 6 hours from CVG and still be in the continental US.

[Birdsfan]

Not that it changes your point but PHX is about a 4 hour flight.

 

I don't think its possbile to fly 6 hours from CVG and still be in the continental US.

Well, I didn't mean 6. I was just trying to think of the figure they used in the paper. In any case, it would be expensive and bothersome compared to a 10 to 12 hour road trip (or 2 hour direct flight) to Florida.

[cshs81]

Well, I didn't mean 6. I was just trying to think of the figure they used in the paper. In any case, it would be awful compared to a 10 or 12 or road trip to Florida.

 

If you catch the right deal/airfare, it could be a great trade-off.

 

I can buy a ticket today on Southwest Airlines for $77 each way from Louisville to Phoenix.

[ColonelCrazy]

If they CHOOSE to move to Arizona, it will be a slap in the face to their most loyal fans for sure.

 

The Cincinnati Reds have to do what is best for the Cincinnati Reds. If they feel the facilities in Sarasota are not up to par, then why wouldn't they look to go somewhere else?

 

Why wouldn't their "most loyal fans for sure" want the best opportunities for their favorite team?