Marlins Meet With Norfolk Representatives

[bluezebra]

Well I dont really consider a AAA team a Professional team. When most people say Professional team they think of the MLB, NFL, NBA etc.. Sorry, DIdnt know we were getting all politically correct in here.

It's not politically correctness. it's a knowledge of the English language. If they get paid for playing baseball, they're professionals, no matter what you "think". Look it up in the dictionary.

bob

[DodgerBlue8188]

The Tides are the AAA (International League) team of the Mets. The last time I looked they were a PROFESSIONAL baseball team.

Bob

Well I dont really consider a AAA team a Professional team. When most people say Professional team they think of the MLB, NFL, NBA etc.. Sorry, DIdnt know we were getting all politically correct in here.

[bluezebra]

250,000? As far as what city? I live in Virginia Beach. Thats right next to Norfolk. Virginia Beach has 500,000 people, Chesapeake which is right next door is growing HUGE as well as Suffolk which is 40 minutes away. I dont think a team woudl do well here MLB wise. We have the Tides and rarely ever fill up a 10,000 seat stadium. Granted its minor leagues, but your talking 81 home games in a year. We have a lot of baseball talent come out of this area but i just dont think it would make it. Of course Suffolk and Chesapeake are growing and so is Va Beach for that matter.

I'd love to have a pro team though. My dad works for Budweiser so he would be able to be in the skybox every game which means I could come along too.

The Tides are the AAA (International League) team of the Mets. The last time I looked they were a PROFESSIONAL baseball team.

Bob

[DodgerBlue8188]

****194 miles between Norfolk and DC isn't exactly close proximity. And the population is LESS than 250,000.

Bob

250,000? As far as what city? I live in Virginia Beach. Thats right next to Norfolk. Virginia Beach has 500,000 people, Chesapeake which is right next door is growing HUGE as well as Suffolk which is 40 minutes away. I dont think a team woudl do well here MLB wise. We have the Tides and rarely ever fill up a 10,000 seat stadium. Granted its minor leagues, but your talking 81 home games in a year. We have a lot of baseball talent come out of this area but i just dont think it would make it. Of course Suffolk and Chesapeake are growing and so is Va Beach for that matter.

I'd love to have a pro team though. My dad works for Budweiser so he would be able to be in the skybox every game which means I could come along too.

[Ontarioguy]

I keep saying it, but it really is the Expos all over again. Same principal characters (Loria, Samson and Selig) and they're talking to the same cities. What a sad mess.

[Knick9]

****194 miles between Norfolk and DC isn't exactly close proximity. And the population is LESS than 250,000.

Bob

^ Which is why I'm hesitant towards No. Virginia's efforts for going after an MLB team. My reasoning is not the same with Virginia like Las Vegas, it's just that I'm skeptical overall about their chances, and if their population will hold up the team or not.

[bluezebra]

MIAMI (AP) - Add Norfolk, Va., to the list of cities being explored by the Florida Marlins for a potential move.
Team president David Samson said Friday he met with representatives of Norfolk to discuss their proposal for a new ballpark.

"We talked about a financing plan they had in mind that would require a very small contribution by the team," Samson said. "We told them our preference is to stay in Florida, but we have no deal in Florida. We agreed that we will stay in touch."

Marlins officials earlier visited San Antonio and Portland, Ore.

Meeting on Thursday in Miami with team officials were Norfolk businessman Will Somerindyke Jr., who headed a group that tried unsuccessfully to lure the Montreal Expos to Virginia, and lawyer Jack Kane. Norfolk's prospects for landing a team could be hurt by its proximity to Washington, D.C., where the Expos relocated last year.

Somerindyke and Samson said they discussed the southeast Virginia market.

"We told them if they're interested in Norfolk, they need to contact the city," Somerindyke said. "We're just here because I think the town I grew up in should have a major league team."

The issue of how to pay for a new ballpark has stalled talks in South Florida, but Samson said he plans to meet again next week with Miami-Dade County Manager George Burgess.

"There is a definite sense of urgency on everybody's part that has not existed before," Samson said.

Major League Baseball last year granted the team permission to explore relocation. The Marlins' lease at Dolphins Stadium ends in 2007, but they could stay there through 2010 using a series of one-year options.

Two sites in Hialeah are the latest possibilities being discussed for a new ballpark in South Florida, but a large funding gap remains for a project expected to cost more than $400 million.

http://sports.myway.com/news/02102006/v6059.html

****194 miles between Norfolk and DC isn't exactly close proximity. And the population is LESS than 250,000.

Bob

[redlegsfan21]

MIAMI (AP) - Add Norfolk, Va., to the list of cities being explored by the Florida Marlins for a potential move.
Team president David Samson said Friday he met with representatives of Norfolk to discuss their proposal for a new ballpark.

"We talked about a financing plan they had in mind that would require a very small contribution by the team," Samson said. "We told them our preference is to stay in Florida, but we have no deal in Florida. We agreed that we will stay in touch."

Marlins officials earlier visited San Antonio and Portland, Ore.

Meeting on Thursday in Miami with team officials were Norfolk businessman Will Somerindyke Jr., who headed a group that tried unsuccessfully to lure the Montreal Expos to Virginia, and lawyer Jack Kane. Norfolk's prospects for landing a team could be hurt by its proximity to Washington, D.C., where the Expos relocated last year.

Somerindyke and Samson said they discussed the southeast Virginia market.

"We told them if they're interested in Norfolk, they need to contact the city," Somerindyke said. "We're just here because I think the town I grew up in should have a major league team."

The issue of how to pay for a new ballpark has stalled talks in South Florida, but Samson said he plans to meet again next week with Miami-Dade County Manager George Burgess.

"There is a definite sense of urgency on everybody's part that has not existed before," Samson said.

Major League Baseball last year granted the team permission to explore relocation. The Marlins' lease at Dolphins Stadium ends in 2007, but they could stay there through 2010 using a series of one-year options.

Two sites in Hialeah are the latest possibilities being discussed for a new ballpark in South Florida, but a large funding gap remains for a project expected to cost more than $400 million.

http://sports.myway.com/news/02102006/v6059.html