Archive for the 'Ballpark News' Category
The stadium has yet to be discussed and the city and county have to agree on all the issues pertaining to the new stadium. Hopefully Item #1 will be voted on after lunch.
Thanks to everyone providing updates from the live feed. Keep em coming!!
You can tune into the live feed here.
More updates over on The Marlins Ballpark News.
At 10:30 AM EST the County Commissioners will meet to vote on the Global Agreement/Ballpark deal. This could be the final step for the Marlins getting a stadium deal. The Marlins Ballpark News has all the coverage and details behind the special meeting.
Feel free to stop by The Marlins Ballpark News. He does a great job of keeping everyone up to date with the ballpark happenings.
Click here to watch the meeting live.
LIVE BLOG for those who can’t get the video.
NEW streaming link here. Agenda here.
Haven’t been around much this week as I’ve been busy with work and haven’t had much time to put anything up here. It was an interesting week so let’s take a review…
- The Heat were “back” this week after defeating the Suns in a thriller in the desert. The Heat were then “back to sucking” last evening as the Wizards came to town and knocked Shaq’s lazy ass to the bench on 3-6 shooting. 6 total shots from Shaq and he takes 20 mill a season?
- The Mitchell Report was released yesterday and we learned that “Virtually every player on the Marlins was ‘doing something’ ranging from steroids and greenies, to marijuana, etc.” Kevin Brown, Josias Manzanillo, Gregg Zaun, Paul Lo Duca, Ricky Bones, Ron Villone, Matt Herges, Chad Allen, Ismael Valdez, Gary Sheffield, and Benito Santiago were the lucky winners in the Marlins steroid derby. We also learned that the 2001-2002 teams really loved to smoke marijuana.
- Miami-Dade released it’s new ballpark proposal this week and all things point to a stadium deal being done possibly by next week. Not sure the Marlins have ever been closer to getting a stadium but I’m sure Loria will somehow screw this up. If finalized the Fish will have to switch to the name the Miami Marlins. It has a nice ring to it. Not sure about everyone’s opinion on the matter but I hate the idea of public money being used for this thing. Loria is such a thief. Of course now that his end of the deal is lower, he can get the money for the stadium. Video highlights here and here.
- Cam Cameron is a scared man. Scared of history and scared of losing his job. That’s why Cleo Lemon has been named QB for this Sunday’s game against the Ravens. We just can’t escape him and we just can’t escape this freakin season. The sucking commences Sunday in Miami. The Ravens may play Troy Smith and of course since he only has a few professional snaps under his belt, he will shove it right up Miami’s asses.
I should have more time coming up next week to start posting more frequently. I have a 2 week vacation coming up starting on the 21st so you can be sure SporTech will be rocking and rolling while I am in town.
As always if anyone is interested in contributing to SporTech Matter please hit me up.
I’m all for helping your alma mater, but when your doing it while driving a MLB franchise into the ground, it pisses me off. Just sayin.
Reached by phone, Jeffrey Loria, who according to Yale also donated $20 million, said he made the gift because “I’m a [Yale] graduate, and I could afford it, and it’s time to give back to the university.” Mr. Loria is an art dealer, as well as the owner of the Florida Marlins, and over the years he has given several works of art to Yale.
Meanwhile. The Rays look to become the class of MLB in Florida.
MLB needs to do something about this asshat.
The Marlins have expressed concerns that a ballpark at the Orange Bowl won’t be as economically successful as one in downtown, but Marlins President David Samson said Tuesday the team accepts the site. He would not discuss the team’s contribution.
“We just have to make sure it’s a deal that makes sense for everybody,” Samson said.
Marlins officials hope to have a deal in place within the next few weeks so a stadium can be open by 2011. I think the Orange Bowl is a bad site for baseball. You have alot of season ticket holders in the Broward and Palm Beach Area that are going to reconsider renewing due to the fact they will have to hike down to the OB, after work, in rush hour traffic. I understand David Samson’s concern for the site but it’s time to get a deal done or move out of the state. I would much rather keep my team and drive an extra half hour to get to the game.
To get a better feel for the money involved with the stadium stop the The Marlins Ballpark News and check out the Git r’ dun! Ballpark Money Meter.
Photo via Veritable Photography @ flickr
Some encouraging news surfaced last week that the Marlins would be able to receive 50 million from the city from the Orange Bowl site plus the money that would have gone towards renovations. That’s all fine and dandy if the Marlins would get the collective heads out of there asses. The ball is in the park of the Marlins and city commissioners are getting impatient waiting for a reply from the Marlins. I think they are getting sick of the tap dancing the Marlins have been doing about a downtown ballpark site. City commissioners feel that if the Marlins are going to drag them along, they could have a much better use for the site such as a park, soccer stadium or affordable housing for the community. Sarah Talalay from the Sentinel reports…
Miami City Commissioners decided Thursday they want a full report on the status of ballpark negotiations at their Dec. 13 meeting, but they also want a public declaration from the Marlins sooner as to whether the team wants a stadium at the Orange Bowl site.
So what do we know here? The Orange Bowl is the only site being considered at this time. The Marlins contribution towards a stadium would be much less if it were at the Orange Bowl, compared to a site downtown. This fact alone should get this deal done and Jeffrey Loria’s art broker would be very pleased.
In the words of the most obnoxious comedian alive, GET ER DONE!!!
Photo via ian-w @ flickr.
A citizen’s advisory panel charged with overseeing the distribution of billions of dollars in bond money agreed Monday to let the Marlins use $50 million, pegged for renovating the decaying Orange Bowl, to build a new ballpark.
Tuesday, the Miami-Dade County Commission will take up a resolution by Chairman Bruno Barreiro instructing the county manager and the mayor to use all available money to negotiate with the ball club.
Where did the money come from? When the University of Miami decided to leave the Orange Bowl, the 50 million became available. Sitting on top of that is another 35 million which is available from the stadium renovations at the Orange Bowl. City officials must vote on sending this money to the Marlins.
All this is irrelevant if the Marlins do not make the $207 million contribution, which they have yet to say they would do if offered a stadium at the Orange Bowl — instead of downtown as they prefer.
For more daily news on the Marlins stadium situation, bookmark The Marlins Ballpark News blog.
Picture is courtesy of Lyon Smith Arch. Portfolio
Sorry for no posting yesterday. Was quite busy at work but let’s pick up where we left off and take a look at whats going on with the organizations…
Miami Heat
- Despite reports earlier this week that suggested Dwyane Wade would definitely undergo surgery on his shoulder, a team spokesperson says Flash has yet to make up his mind, according to the Palm Beach Post. Whether he has surgery or not, Wade would be well advised to steer clear of Team USA this summer. But he better make up his mind whether he’s going under the knife or not real soon. Each day he waits makes it less likely he’ll be ready for next season if he does opt for an operation.
- Jason Kapono said he will become a free agent this summer. “It’s my first time to see what is out there,” Kapono said. “So, from a personal point of view, I obviously have to see what is out there. But … [my] first choice would be to come back and play for the Heat.” After leading the league in 3-point shooting and proving he can handle a starting gig this season, Kapono is likely to generate plenty of interest.
- James Posey said he’d prefer to stay in Miami, but it sounds as if he’ll test free agency assuming he’s not re-signed beforehand. The Heat can negotiate exclusively with Posey until June 30, the day before he officially becomes a free agent. Apparently, having the team suspend him in January for being too fat hasn’t stopped Posey from wanting to stick around. The Heat may have other priorities before it gets around to dealing with Posey.
- According to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Gary Payton is expected to retire this summer. Although it remains a possibility that another team will look to add him late in the summer, Payton is definitely done in Miami.
Miami Dolphins
- The Dolphins released Manuel Wright and Marcus Vick yesterday.
- The Dolphins believe Ted Ginn Jr. can grow into a No. 1 receiver. “He gives us the feeling when the ball’s in his hands, he can score touchdowns,” GM Randy Mueller said. “We wanted to get something special at (No. 9). And we think we got something special.” Ginn will be in a boot for another month before he begins rehabbing his foot sprain.
- The Dolphins have no plans to release Marty Booker. They may not find a trade partner this offseason. Booker will likely face competition from Derek Hagan and/or Ted Ginn if he can get healthy.
Game Notes: The Florida Marlins defeated the NY Mets for a second straight game 5-2. The Marlin’s received 5 RBI’s from the bat of Josh Willingham to make Ricky Nolasco’s return from the DL a success. The Marlins finish up the series today from Shea Stadium with an afternoon game. First pitch is at 1:10 PM.