It’s Goodbye Baseball for Al Lang Stadium, Rowdies Take Control

St. Petersburg’s historic waterfront baseball stadium is now a soccer pitch managed by the Tampa Bay Rowdies (North American Soccer League).  The city council approved a new management deal for Al Lang Stadium through 2018.  Read more and watch news report here.

Rowdies, Al Lang Stadium Deal Back On

A deal brokered by St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman to turn over operations of Al Lang Stadium to local businessman Bill Edwards and his Tampa Bay Rowdies soccer franchise fell through Sept. 17 when the St. Petersburg Baseball Commission balked, but the deal appears back on, after attorneys for the Rowdies and the commission informed the city Monday that they have settled a related lawsuit.  Read more here.

Home of Suns to be Home of Pro Soccer Too

The Jacksonville Armada (North American Soccer League), set to debut in 2015, announced it will play its games at the Baseball Grounds for the first three seasons.  The ballpark his home of the Double-A Jacksonville Suns (Southern League).  Read more here.

Soccer Team Sues Baseball Commission Over Al Lang Conditions

After months of criticizing the nonprofit St. Petersburg (FL) Baseball Commission for substandard maintenance of the downtown soccer field at Al Lang Stadium, Tampa Bay Rowdies (North American Soccer League) owner Bill Edwards filed a lawsuit this week that claims the commission has violated its contract and hurt business for the sports franchise.  Read more here.

Rowdies Pushing St. Pete Toward New Soccer Tradition

Over the next few weeks, the turf at Al Lang Stadium will be ripped up and replaced — a $250,000 investment by St. Petersburg (FL) to placate Tampa Bay Rowdies (North American Soccer League) owner Bill Edwards.  That’s a short-term fix, as Edwards wants the aging facility replaced with a soccer-only venue.  Ultimately, as the city considers a developing downtown waterfront master