Field of Dreams
 

I look at some of the vast expanses of property along 466 between CVS and Walmart, off 44 near the proposed Brownwood town center and wish that the influential developers would cut a deal and bring in a minor league baseball team stadium affiliated with an MLB team. There is more than enough room for a decent stadium and convenient parking.

There are small stadiums across the country that have become extremely popular venues for baseball fans. In New Jersey, the Trenton Thunder and the Lakewood Blue CLaws are great ballparks that we have enjoyed with our entire family.

http://webcache.googleusercontent.co...&ct=clnk&gl=us

http://www.carabs.com/photos/v1/loca...all-team.html#

http://www.littleballparks.com/Stadi...d/Lakewood.htm

New Jersey is not known for its baseball weather, yet two major league franchises, the Boston Red Sox and the Philadelphia Phillies have hugely successful affiliates in the Trenton Thunder and the Lakewood BlueClaws that draw record crowds season after season. There are also several Atlantic League team throughout the state including the Newark Bears and the Somerset Patriots. In spite of the weather there is no dearth of fan support for these teams.

A litany of special events keep the stadiums busy during off times. They include, circus performances, an interesting assortment of festivals and expos, the terminal point for several popular running events, and community gatherings.

Given the weather in the Villages, I have to believe such an enterprise would be a largely positive addition to the greatest hometown. Food vendors, concessions, ballpark employees and groundskeepers offer interesting part time opportunities for anyone whoever wanted to sell Cracker Jacks at the ballpark.

Any other hometown ballpark experiences out there?

"Build it and they will come."

Nooooooo!
 

I live down there and I do not want it to become a busy congested area. This is our main route for shopping, doctors and entertainment. We have a long enough ride as it is. Anything to extend that drive I would strongly oppose. Just MHO, but a very strong one. :swear: barf: :boxing2:

:agree::agree::agree:

I love baseball.
 

Since I love baseball I like your idea but ......there is just soooo much else to do in TV that I don't think a minor league team could sustain itself here.

Additionally, baseball is played during the 'slow' season for TV so less of a population to draw from.

I just wish they'd expand on the summer league that plays only 3 games in TV (college wooden bat league) ; maybe a permenant TV team - so I could catch some games on my trips there in the summer.

Does anyone know what the current development plan is for that property? Is the property owned by TV?

I understand your point but would remind you we are not talking Yankee Stadium crowds. We have attended countless sell out games and with proper planning the ingress and egress is better than a full house at the Village Polo Grounds where the crowds would be comparable sans the golf carts.

Further, baseball schedules include home and away games somewhat limiting actual game days/nights in the venue. I understand the NIMBY concern but the land I predicated the wishful thinking on is sufficiently removed from neighborhood impact to be viable in the dream.

What if we didn't want another hospital off 44 because of the traffic it would generate?

Should we fight Brownwood and the adjacent shopping center for the same reasons?

Using your criteria, can I assume you would be opposed to a new art center in the Villages?

Amenities and activities in the Villages seem to be at least a part of the motivation for moving here. Why would we want to cap them after we arrive?

I wonder how it would go on a Villages wide referendum?

I'm sure glad the Polo Grounds, Savannah Center, the hospital and medical centers, the shopping centers and the golf courses were built before people realized they create traffic. If the NIMBYS prevailed, you would be looking at a watermelon patch in your backyard. Hmmmmmm,,,,,,maybe that wouldn't be a bad thing. :):):)

I'm actually snowbound in NJ waiting for a break to head home in The Villages. Way to much time on my hands. What's that old saw about, "Idle hands are The Devil's workshop"?

Thanks for the cerebral exercise and remember it's just a "field of dreams" so don't make the protest signs just yet.

Thanks for the response. :boxing2: :wave:

As a lifelong Red Sox fan who is married to an suffers the torment of a die hard Yankee fan everyday, my wife agrees with you but I knew I would have a divergence of opinion when I saw your avatar.

The Villages reside within the counties of Sumter, Lake and Marion. The total population of these contiguous areas is 675,386. To be honest, I didn't know that until I read your response and was motivated to research. Amazing what you can google. At any rate, fully 77,000 of that population lives in The Villages. I respectfully submit that demographic represents much more than a modest market for affordable hometown baseball.

Regarding the off season, in my "dream", (isn't it wonderful to make your arguments in the fertile area of dreams, no accountability"), I can summarize your off season concern in two words........Spring Training. Of course in my dream it would be the Red Sox.

Regarding the Yankees........oops...hold on....what's that honey.......no, I wasn't knocking the Yankees......I was just exchanging pleasantries with a TOTV baseball fan .......tpop1....

Gotta go....later.

I wish they'd return the buffalo to the "buffalo fields". I miss them.

The idea of a minor league is in itself a great idea, but as alluded to one person's dream situation can be anothers nightmare! Also, I don't think the location mentioned between Brownwood and the rest of the Villages would be the best location for such a facility. IMHO it would be better somewhere along Rts. 441 & 27 where it's better situated for the short periods of increased traffic and could also be a better draw from both the Ocala and Leesburg areas. But what do I know about it or the price of beans? It's just my opinion and it's just possible that I could be full of those beans! :shrug:

A Minor League Team Would be Great!
 

This is a wonderful idea! I have always enjoyed minor leagues more than their big brothers. The players are accessible, ticket prices affordable and the fans more involved. To work, it would need to be sited so you can get there by golf cart.

Having a minor league team does not preclude having major league spring training here. The Villages are laid out so that the main arteries; Buena Vista, Morse, El Camino Real, 466, 466A etc. together with the boundary roads - SR42, SR44, US 301 and US 441/27 carry the traffic so that it does not impinge on the neighborhoods.

Sign me up for two season tickets!

Do we have to develop every square inch of land? Isn't it nice to look at undeveloped land and get a feel of open wilderness. My wife and I will often comment that it would be nice if they left these open spaces for everyone to enjoy. Looking at open land is peaceful as compared to an asphalt parking lot.

I will take two season tickets also

I'm from New Jersey also, where we had the NJ Jackals in northern NJ. I enjoyed watching the games, but they also had great promotions. My favorite was "Thirsty Thursday": A half hour before gametime, they'd close the restrooms and sell beer for 50 cents until people asked to use the facilities. One time, the cheap beer went on into the 4th inning!!!
I'd fully support a minor league team, as long as they wern't affiliated with the Red Sox. That's about the only thing I don't like about TV---- Way too many Saux fans.

I agree! However, unfortunately the open spaces around Country Roads are zoned commercial and very valuable for development.

I knew the Buffalo were just too good to last. :ohdear:

:agree:
I miss the buffalo too.