January 23, 200818 yr Author Many of those same faces would be around in Arizona. Actually, I'd argue that the culture you speak of would be better in Goodyear, AZ, as there would be another major league ballclub in the same complex. The rookies will still be there - whether it's in Sarasota, Goodyear, or Alaska. If it is truly about the atmosphere and the intimiate setting, as you claim, then why not at least shop around for other venues? Surely Sarasota isn't the "be all end all" of spring training. Again, this is not about Sarasota specifically. And I would argue that much less of the atmosphere I mentioned would be present in an Arizona location. Only the most wealthy would probably go to Arizona.
January 28, 200818 yr Looks like the Reds and Goodyear, AZ officials are discussing the signing of a 90 day exclusivity agreement.
February 11, 200818 yr The Reds' probably lost any chance with staying in Sarasota now. http://www.daytondailynews.com/s/content/oh/story/sports/pro/reds/2008/02/09/ddn021008reds.html This is what Reds Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Doug Healy says: "Sarasota is the ugly stepsister, and Goodyear is the buxom blonde." "The new plan was to cost the Reds the same money," Healy said. "We were paying for a Cadillac and now they were offering us a Prius. We exhausted every avenue and looked under every rock."
February 13, 200818 yr Author The Reds' probably lost any chance with staying in Sarasota now. http://www.daytondailynews.com/s/content/oh/story/sports/pro/reds/2008/02/09/ddn021008reds.html According to reports I'm hearing now, Sarasota had another meeting and decided to give the Reds everything they were asking for.
February 13, 200818 yr According to reports I'm hearing now, Sarasota had another meeting and decided to give the Reds everything they were asking for. I haven't heard that yet. I do know that they're not allowed to negotiate with any city for another 50+ days as they signed a 70 day exclusivity deal with Goodyear at the end of January.
February 13, 200818 yr According to reports I'm hearing now, Sarasota had another meeting and decided to give the Reds everything they were asking for. http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20080213/NEWS/802130430 It'll be an interesting 2 months. And luckily, they don't read the Dayton news. :sssh:
February 13, 200818 yr Here's another. Quote from it was "people thought they would never leave" another was "people feel like teams are holding the town hostage" Well if you want the revenue then you need to make it a good deal for both. http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20080213/NEWS/802130430
February 19, 200818 yr So let's see. The Reds could pay part of the $40 million renovation cost of Ed Smith Stadium, or they could move to Goodyear, AZ and play in a state-of-the-art $75 million facility that they pay little (read: zero) construction costs on. Add that to the fact that, in Arizona, maintenance costs would be split in half due to sharing the facility with the Indians. Add that to the fact that, in Arizona, they'd become the 15th team in the Cactus league. As a result, they would be within driving distance to many more ballclubs. Add that to the fact that Arizona's weather is much more predictable (and arid) and you've got less rainouts - and more practice time. Not to mention that Ed Smith Stadium, with a capacity of 8,000, averages around 4K. I think it's best for the Cincinnati Reds to pick up and head out West. I truly don't see any benefits of staying in Sarasota when you can move to a growing city that actually wants the Reds.
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