sports in norfolk

[mercuex]

Yeah I agree w Wrldcoupe ... After the emotional rollercoaster with the expos, I just don't know if my heart can take it anymore! Ya know? I mean, we're at the age where we want to settle down and take it easy, HR is too old for these kind of mind games. Sheesh.

I still want Major League Soccer to come. I know everyone hates that but I don't care. I love it. And I wish the Mariners didn't have their stadium in China.

[VAGATOR]

Honestly, how much long are the Marlins going to keep on doing this relocation crap. It seem like they have been fighting Miami over a stadium for going on a decade now.

[Merrittk92]

That did not impress Del. Robert G. Marshall, R-Prince William, who wondered if Suit

[br0guy]

Lest we forget the embarassment...

http://www.norfolkmlb.com

I don't know if I can handle another ad with the old folks playing ball.

[urbanlife]

yeah I will pay more attention to what the Marlins want to do when they are serious about moving. Right now it looks like leverage that they want.

[hoobo]

Does anyone know where I can find a link to the current VBSA legislation?

2006 Virginia House Bill (HB) 694

Virginia Code Section on VBSA

Mercuex, VB needs to keep pushing for ODU expansion in the PA area and needs to get some kind of village going in Lake Ridge. One day, when the Southeastern Parkway is built, the Sportsplex and the Mariners will be saved. But how great would it have been if VB had the foresight to build the Sportsplex in the Pembroke area possibly making a deal for the lovely Bill's (FX) flea market.

And onto the Marlins. I've been skeptical of Loria's intentions, but after hopping on the Miami Herald site, I'm starting to think that the Marlins are running out of options in South Florida. Miami has thrown its money behind renovating the Orange Bowl. The Marlins don't want to dome Dolphins Stadium; they want a baseball only park. Hialeah has offered city land but has no clue where the money will come from or how to get around historical and environmental issues. Miami Airport is a possibility but there's the FAA to deal with. The Marlins would love to stay in South Florida but no one seems to want or be able to take them.

MLB has not allowed the Marlins to talk to Vegas, which would be the front-runner in any relocation race. Apparently, gambling is still an issue. Thank you Rick Tocchet. San Antonio and Charlotte don't make business sense. And Portland's new mayor isn't the baseball fan that the former mayor was. If Marlins officials visit with Fraim then Norfolk should vault to the front of the pack. If the meeting with Will is all that comes out of this, then Norfolk has no real chance. It is interesting that MLB has allowed Norfolk to be a candidate for the Marlins considering it was still trying to broker a deal with DC.

Now for some crackpot ideas: It looks like the Hornets are OKC's to keep. The Kings might leave Sacto over arena issues. Likely destination is next door to the Maloof's Palms Casino. The A's, who don't draw too well in Oaktown, would love to move to Sacto. The Kings leaving would make that possible. Therefore, Sacto would have their pro sport team. The NBA is looking to expand. KC and San Diego look like the best west coast options. To balance that out in the eastern conference, look for Baltimore and Norfolk.

Finally, the Rays are going to eventually leave Tampa.

[Merrittk92]

Excellent post Hoobo. Think I see eye to eye with you on every point made.

Also, thanks for the links.

[urbanlife]

there is going to be alot of activity in pro sports in the coming years. I think Norfolk will have plenty of chances to jump on the pro league band wagon.

I seriously doubt Vegas will ever be a pro team city because people go to Vegas for gambling and Vegas things. Other than betting, Vegas would be hard pressed to hold a real fan base.

[Merrittk92]

From the Miami Herald

Norfolk session pleases Marlins

BY BARRY JACKSON [email protected]

"Continuing to explore relocation, Marlins president David Samson on Thursday met with two Norfolk, Va., businessmen at Dolphins Stadium and emerged encouraged about the region's ability to help finance a stadium."

"The Marlins, who will meet with Miami-Dade County officials next week for the first time in a month, continue to study the feasibility of potential stadium sites in Hialeah and have set up a meeting with Homestead officials for the last week of February. Homestead is a major long shot, and the Hialeah plan has a large funding gap."

Sounds like Will may have gotten' us a foot in the door. I still put the odds of the Marlins relocating anywhere at 50/50.

Edited February 11, 2006 by Merrittk92

[rusthebuss]

From the Miami Herald

Norfolk session pleases Marlins

BY BARRY JACKSON [email protected]

"Continuing to explore relocation, Marlins president David Samson on Thursday met with two Norfolk, Va., businessmen at Dolphins Stadium and emerged encouraged about the region's ability to help finance a stadium."

"The Marlins, who will meet with Miami-Dade County officials next week for the first time in a month, continue to study the feasibility of potential stadium sites in Hialeah and have set up a meeting with Homestead officials for the last week of February. Homestead is a major long shot, and the Hialeah plan has a large funding gap."

Sounds like Will may have gotten' us a foot in the door. I still put the odds of the Marlins relocating anywhere at 50/50.

I'm not going to follow this cause I don't want a big let down again. I know this is just another leverage ploy again. I don't care what they say about it. Norfolk doesn't need to run their people through the mud again. I truely want it but no one in the majors really take us serious enough.

[mercuex]

I'm with Rus on this one.

[rusthebuss]

I'm with Rus on this one.

I don't think that people will go for it this go around with what happened with the Expos. People aren't going to show the support because of multiple rollercoaster rides. Its bad when now I'm saying this! I was one of the most optimistic people about Majors coming here but I've lost it.

[Padman]

I don't think that people will go for it this go around with what happened with the Expos. People aren't going to show the support because of multiple rollercoaster rides. Its bad when now I'm saying this! I was one of the most optimistic people about Majors coming here but I've lost it.

I too shall hide under the bed with a bag over my head while this develops. It's just too heartbreaking. I'd like to see a major league ballpark where Pembroke or Bills Flea Market is, I've even dreamed that it would happen. But I guess Norfolk has the best site now, and I should stop eating cheese before I go to sleep.

[urbanlife]

I think at this point Norfolk should start talking to the leagues about expansions. Possibly looking into private investors to help fund the team. This looks like the city's best bet that the locals could get behind and support without as much of a rollercoaster ride.

I am not sure about VB's drive for a pro team, but then again there are alot of things the council likes to keep hidden from the public, but it would be cool to see an arena in Pembroke. Of course on the other hand, I would like to see continued urban developments that adhere to a smaller footprint.

[babiko]

Hey guys,

check out this link....very favorable for expansion in the Norfolk area

http://www.bizjournals.com/specials/2006/0...xpansion/8.html

[urbanlife]

they are moving up in importance as a region. They will get a pro team in due time.

[Merrittk92]

Hey guys,

check out this link....very favorable for expansion in the Norfolk area

http://www.bizjournals.com/specials/2006/0...xpansion/8.html

I read this the other day and had some serious questions as to their methodology. In other words since this comes from a Florida source there seems to be a little weighting toward their agenda. As I read it, outside of southern Jersey, L.A. (and existing localities) no other localities could support MLB. One could almost surmise from their data that at least a dozen existing teams should be contracted. So (and yes this is strictly my opinion) this "study" was contrived in an attempt to portray the Miami market as the only possible choice the Marlin's, who are considering relocation, could make. In other words, Marlin's stay! Don't move anywhere, bad business decision...end of conversation!

Let me qualify this post by reminding everyone that I am a "get a life" baseball fan. Thus conspiracies that might be oblivious to most are Sooooo very obvious to me!

[rusthebuss]

I read this the other day and had some serious questions as to their methodology. In other words since this comes from a Florida source there seems to be a little weighting toward their agenda. As I read it, outside of southern Jersey, L.A. (and existing localities) no other localities could support MLB. One could almost surmise from their data that at least a dozen existing teams should be contracted. So (and yes this is strictly my opinion) this "study" was contrived in an attempt to portray the Miami market as the only possible choice the Marlin's, who are considering relocation, could make. In other words, Marlin's stay! Don't move anywhere, bad business decision...end of conversation!

Let me qualify this post by reminding everyone that I am a "get a life" baseball fan. Thus conspiracies that might be oblivious to most are Sooooo very obvious to me!

I think you made valid points. I'm a big baseball fan too!

[GoodNews]

I think you made valid points. I'm a big baseball fan too!

Don't get me wrong, I love baseball and would love to see them relocated here. I want HR to have a pro team so bad it might turn me on when we get one. But I just don't see us being able to support them. I would rather us keep pushing for a NBA team or mabe even a NFL team.

[rusthebuss]

Don't get me wrong, I love baseball and would love to see them relocated here. I want HR to have a pro team so bad it might turn me on when we get one. But I just don't see us being able to support them. I would rather us keep pushing for a NBA team or mabe even a NFL team.

I think that we could support a baseball team before a football team.

[odumonarch]

Hey guys,

check out this link....very favorable for expansion in the Norfolk area

http://www.bizjournals.com/specials/2006/0...xpansion/8.html

Perhaps a new team in Norfolk area in a few years?

But the article there mentioned Philly (where I grew up near) as the #2 candidate for expansion, possibly adding a MLS team. If I were to name the new soccer team, it'd be the Colonials.

[Greekboy80]

I think that we could support a baseball team before a football team.

How so?

In football you only have 8 home games. With the rabid football fans everywhere I dont think it would be hard to sell out every sunday. We would have people traveling in from everywhere in VA, some of MD an Lots of NE NC.

Baseball is a completly diffrent story. Night games will be hard to fill up night in and night out, and the day games would have horrific attendance. A club would be here for probably 10 years max, then looking again to re-locate.

Football would get attendance and support no matter how bad they are. People just love tailgating and going to football games.

Edited March 10, 2006 by Greekboy80

[hoobo]

That's the thing about football, it's a destination sport. People come from all over to tailgate and see the game. It's an all day event. With the Skins, Ravens, and Panthers plus popular college teams like the Hoos and Hokies, I'm curious about from where a fan base will come. Will HR fans abandon the Skins. Will Richmond fans? I'm sure there are plenty of football fans who can't get tickets to the above teams' games, but how many would become season ticket holders for an HR team? But can we really assume that a football team will be successful instantly just because it's football? Looking at cities with NFL teams, they are really by themselves in their region. What I'd like to see is for ODU to take a few years to build it's program, then try to join the Big East. Sooner or later the Big East will break up into two conferences: schools with football teams and schools without.

As for baseball, HR would be the second smallest market in terms of population just ahead of Milwaukee. I too question the ability to support the team in the stands. THe only thing about MLB is that ticket prices are the lowest for pro sports.

That's why I keep coming back to basketball. HR is a larger market than several regions with NBA teams. Even with fairly high ticket prices (the NFL is no better) there are only 41 regular season home games, so filling the place shouldn't be too hard.

[GoodNews]

I think that we could support a baseball team before a football team.

As much as I love baseball, it is a past time sport. There are more football fans in the area than baseball. The sport of baseball is very expense to mange. Football is an easier sport to support for the reasons hoobo and Greekboy80 have named. Football is just a more sensible sport. Baseball has too many home games for this area to support. People go for the skins, cowboys, and panthers just because we don't have a team. Even if people didn't like the team, just because we had it the seats would be filled. Norfolk for the NBA or now the NFL.

[rusthebuss]

My High School, BTW, won the state basketball championship!