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FSL sites are left in lurch

Twins, Expos train in Florida cities whose economies could be hurt by contraction.

By KEVIN KELLY

© St. Petersburg Times,
published November 8, 2001

ST. PETERSBURG -- Even if the Rays and Marlins aren't affected by the contraction baseball owners voted in favor of Tuesday, disbanding two major-league franchises could have resounding impact around the state.

Right now, uncertainty abounds.

The Twins and Expos, considered the likely candidates for contraction, conduct spring training and have Florida State League affiliates in Fort Myers for Minnesota and Jupiter for Montreal.

"I spoke with Bill Smith (Twins vice president and assistant general manager) and they are just like everyone else," said David Burke, general manager of the Fort Myers Miracle, the Twins' FSL affiliate. "Obviously they're going on with their business, but they're using some caution. Personally, if something were to occur, (MLB) would need to make an announcement sooner rather than later."

Should the Twins and Expos be eliminated, a host of issues would need to be addressed before spring training starts in 31/2 months.

Stadium leases and contracts, filling out FSL rosters with players from other teams, readjusting schedules and lessening the blow to local economies are a few.

"One might assume that some (legal) action might be taken," Burke said. "Even if you're not a baseball fan, you know contracting two teams is going to be just a mess."

Burke has received assurance from MLB that the Miracle, a Twins affiliate since 1993, will remain in business.

FSL president Chuck Murphy said the league will continue next season, whether it be with the current 12 teams or 10. A new schedule will have to be drawn up if there's a reduction.

"I just don't know what the arrangements will be down the line," Murphy said. "If there is a contraction, (MLB will) work closely with the minor leagues to make sure they support it and ally with us as much as they can.

"I don't know how they'll handle the fallout of all this."

The Twins would have to break their lease with Lee County for the use of the Lee County Sports Complex and, as a result, reimburse the county all scheduled payments of principal and interest due on bonds.

The stadium and surrounding facilities were built and opened in 1991 specifically for Minnesota.

Lee County receives more than $300,000 a year from the Twins, who have an estimated $13-million economic impact on the community for spring training and the Miracle.

"These players are an economic base," said Armando Nargi, president of the Lee County chamber of commerce. "Hotel rooms, restaurants and, of course, tourism. It would be a significant loss because that's one of the draws we have in southwest Florida."

Minnesota's spring training complex probably wouldn't stand vacant for long. Cleveland, which trains in Winter Haven, has been looking for a new home and has considered southwest Florida.

The complex is attractive to many teams.

"If it is the Twins, I think there are a couple of teams interested in assuming the sports complex as their spring training home and an affiliate for us," Burke said.

The Blue Jays might have been a candidate a couple years ago, but Toronto agreed on a 15-year deal last year to stay in Dunedin. Ken Carson, director of Florida operations for Toronto, said the club intends to honor that agreement.

The Expos' situation is a little different.

Their spring training and minor-league complex is shared with the Cardinals, but it's privately owned by Jupiter Stadium LTD. The Jupiter Hammerheads are Montreal's FSL affiliate.

"We're the only place in Florida that has 30 games 30 straight days in the spring," said Rob Rabenecker, the stadium's general manager. "I mean, you're talking about half the number of games. The grass is still going to grow. We've got buildings that need to be maintained. We've got to go forward making sure those facilities are ready."

Possibly for another team.

"It's a large business transaction that has to take place. It's not a simple transaction by any means," Rabenecker said. "Like commissioner Bud Selig said, it's a very fluid process and there's a lot of moving parts to this whole thing. There's not a whole lot of experience to rely on as you move this whole thing forward."

-- Information from the Fort Myers News-Press was used in this report.

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