Baseball Winter Meetings Begin Sunday

The 2017 Baseball Winter Meetings will take place Dec. 10-14 at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort in Orlando (FL).  The annual conference also includes the Trade Show and Job Fair.  Learn more about the conference here.

 

 

UCF Receives Ballpark Renovation Donation

The University of Central Florida received a $1.5 million gift for expansion and renovation of the UCF Baseball Complex.  Read more here.

Fans Snatch Up Tinker Field Seats

Old wooden seats that were salvaged before the demolition of historic Tinker Field in Orlando were sold last week for $100 for a pair and $200 for a set of four.  We’re not sure if there are any remaining or not, but check with the city if you are interested.  Read more here and here.  Read background story here.

Orlando (Once Again) Talking Professional Baseball

International Drive (I-Drive) in Orlando (FL) is known as a tourist destination, but with so much land around it that is yet to be developed, Orange County is considering ways to make the area more attractive for locals too, including a new baseball stadium.  Read more and watch news report here.

Historic Tinker Field Gets Reprieve

Faced with a public backlash, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer on Monday put the brakes on a plan to tear down the grandstands and buildings at historic Tinker Field — at least for now.  Read more here.  The field first hosted baseball in 1914.  The Single-A Orlando Rays (Southern League) moved from Tinker to Cracker Jack Stadium/Champion Stadium in 2000 before relocating to Montgomery (AL) in 2004.

Marion County Delays Vote on Ballpark Financing Plan

Facing public heat on a proposal to put a sales tax hike on the countywide ballot for March 18 to pay for a $53 million ballpark to attract the Single-A Tampa Yankees (Florida State League) to Orlando, Marion County commissioners agreed to postpone their decision to work on another way to finance the project.  Read more and watch news report here.

Baseball Winter Meetings Begin Today

The annual conference for everyone in the baseball industry kicks off today at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort in Orlando (FL).  The event goes from Dec. 9-12 and includes the Baseball Trade Show and PBEO Job Fair.  Read more here.  View schedule here.  You can follow the event on Twitter and Facebook.  A mobile app is also available.