Sarasota H-T Blog to track Reds re: Goodyear & Sarasota

[Strider]

The Sarasota Herald Tribune has a writer who has started a blog to cover the Reds move to Goodyear or return to Sarasota as well as the Orioles interest in Sarasota if the Reds leave.

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article...797328993/1661

The writer also has an update on Sarasota's preparations should the Reds to AZ movement die

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article...254476881/1661

[Strider]

Update on the financing...

http://www.westvalleyview.com/main.a...rticleID=30558

I guess all that's left is for the city of Goodyear to approve the MOU...

[gedred69]

Thanks for the up to date info, Strider. I have attended 8 of the last 9 ST's, admittedly because I have a brother living in Ft. Myers, where I can catch the Reds vs. Twins and Bosox, and it is only 1.5 hour drive to Sarasota. I could not afford going to Az. to catch the Reds, (ain't got no family to stay with there)!!

[Strider]

Looks like they may have the votes...

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diam...inside-CP.html

[Strider]

Are the Reds worth it?

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article...453/0/NEWS9902

[Strider]

Ed Smith Stadium Update

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article...804030892/1109

[Strider]

Cactus League Funding Blueprint...

http://www.westvalleyview.com/main.a...rticleID=30598

Article written as if Reds to Goodyear a done deal...

Lots of good information about the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority, committed funding to Goodyear and future commitments. Looks like a possibility that Goodyear could eventually get most of the dollars to build Reds complex returned to them.

Footnote: I see where ORG has now started a similar thread...too bad we have so many threads that mirror each other...

[Strider]

Goodyear City Council Agenda for 7/7

http://goodyear.granicus.com/AgendaV...=2&event_id=34

Staff Report Includes Community Benefit anticipated, Fiscal Impact, Debt Service, Operations Cost and the tentative agreement with the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority to additional funding as it becomes available.

http://goodyear.granicus.com/MetaVie...&meta_id=82115

Twenty year agreement with two 5 year extensions. Reds to occupy facility in October 2009 and begin Spring Training in 2010. Reds to pay $ 100,000 a year rental/use fee adjusted for inflation.

Compared to Sarasota...I can see why the Reds are going to Goodyear. 38,000 square foot facility, 2 major league fields, 6 full practice fields, and 2 half practice fields or agility field, new stadium (shared with Indians) for $100,000 a year...it is unfortunately...a no brainer.

[Strider]

Goodyear City Council with links to Video for those that want to watch Monday.

http://goodyear.granicus.com/ViewPub....php?view_id=2

[Strider]

Goodyear to Vote on Deal

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article...804070344/1109

Broadcast Video Link...Meeting at 9:00 PM EDT

http://www.ci.goodyear.az.us/CivicAlerts.asp?AID=1571

[gedred69]

Well, my carefully considered comments just got bounced, apparently I put too much thought and took too much time to comment. So, now that I'm back on-line let me just simply say, that the original franchise in all of professional baseball has relegated itself to 2nd class status in Goodyear. I will lose my string of ST attendance, because I won't be able to afford it. Listening to the Goodyear council a moment ago, the Reds are already relegated to step-child class citizen status. The Indians practice fields will be lighted, the Reds? ---Sometime in the future. John Allen's negotiating skills are the equivalent of British PM Neville giving Hitler free reign in Europe before the outbreak of WWII.

[Strider]

Cincinnati Reds to leave Sarasota for Arizona

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article...ING01/43800357

[Strider]

Reds to play ball in Goodyear

http://www.westvalleyview.com/main.a...rticleID=30635

[GoReds33]

I like the deal. It brings the Reds to a growing community, and to a part of the country that I haven't been. I can't wait to fly out there in a few years to catch a couple games.

[Cicero]

Well that sucks. It was nice having ST just a few hours down the road.