MLB team possible for Orlando

[Crane's Rooster]

The only remotely serious plans to lure MLB to Central FL are contingent on plans to build a stadium on I-drive near the convention center. For baseball I think this would work. I am normally an advocate of placing most of our amenities downtown but on this issue I do like I-Drive. First, baseball has a different appeal than basketball. Many more Hispanics and small town folks like baseball. It makes sense than to locate any potential stadium closer to the Hispanic centers in South Orlando and to some of more rural communities in Polk and Lake counties. Secondly, I do think their is some weight to the argument that visitors will go see the game also if it is convenient to them. Baseball is the great American past time which generally has a broader appeal than basketball. People visiting from out of town are more likely to take in a game than say a Magic game. Foreigners may show up just to say the went out to a ballgame with peanuts and cracker jacks.

The Magic on the other hand had to be located downtown. The majority of season ticketholders and longtime fan base are from the City itself and northern suburbs. The Magic fanbase is based more on loyalty to our first and only hometown franchise, rather than actual sports fashion. I will admit many people talk about the Magic games as a social event, some barely know anything about sports. Baseball has more purist and fans that follow the actual sport than the experience. I would love to see MLB here but certainly agree that it will only happen if the Rays move here. FL can not support 3 MLB franchises.

[IAm_FloridaBorn]

Originally Posted by Crane's Rooster

The only remotely serious plans to lure MLB to Central FL are contingent on plans to build a stadium on I-drive near the convention center. For baseball I think this would work. I am normally an advocate of placing most of our amenities downtown but on this issue I do like I-Drive. First, baseball has a different appeal than basketball. Many more Hispanics and small town folks like baseball. It makes sense than to locate any potential stadium closer to the Hispanic centers in South Orlando and to some of more rural communities in Polk and Lake counties. Secondly, I do think their is some weight to the argument that visitors will go see the game also if it is convenient to them. Baseball is the great American past time which generally has a broader appeal than basketball. People visiting from out of town are more likely to take in a game than say a Magic game. Foreigners may show up just to say the went out to a ballgame with peanuts and cracker jacks.

The Magic on the other hand had to be located downtown. The majority of season ticketholders and longtime fan base are from the City itself and northern suburbs. The Magic fanbase is based more on loyalty to our first and only hometown franchise, rather than actual sports fashion. I will admit many people talk about the Magic games as a social event, some barely know anything about sports. Baseball has more purist and fans that follow the actual sport than the experience. I would love to see MLB here but certainly agree that it will only happen if the Rays move here. FL can not support 3 MLB franchises.

Have you seen the proposed stadium? It looks nice.

[Crane's Rooster]

I saw pics of it circulating around the internet a while back but haven't seen it in a while. Here's a pic of the proposed minor league park but can't find the rendering of the pro stadium with retractable roof.

[IAm_FloridaBorn]

Originally Posted by Crane's Rooster

I saw pics of it circulating around the internet a while back but haven't seen it in a while. Here's a pic of the proposed minor league park but can't find the rendering of the pro stadium with retractable roof.

lOOks cool. Whats all that other stuff in front?