Pro Player to Evict Marlins after 2010 Season

Pro Player to kick out Marlins after 2010 season (SI)

Pro Player Stadium officials have told the Florida Marlins they won’t be allowed to play there after the 2010 season, the latest factor in the team’s prolonged struggle to get a new ballpark built in the Miami area. Pro Player Stadium President Bruce Schulze said Friday that 2010 is the last of a series of one-year lease options for the Marlins, who share the complex with the Miami Dolphins. He said dumping the Marlins would let the stadium pursue other events such as cricket and soccer.

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Schulze said Pro Player Stadium is unable to acquire some events because of problems created by the infield dirt during baseball season. “The management of the dirt ends up problematic for other events, such as international soccer matches. Those events shy away because they don’t want dirt on their fields,” Schulze said.

Let me get this straight. Baseball is “America’s pastime.” There are 81 home games in a Major League regular season. The Marlins have won the World Series twice in the last seven years. And, yet, the owner of the stadium thinks they’re going to make more money hosting cricket and international soccer?

Are they planning on moving the stadium to London?

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James Joyner
About James Joyner
James Joyner is Professor and Department Head of Security Studies at Marine Corps University's Command and Staff College. He's a former Army officer and Desert Storm veteran. Views expressed here are his own. Follow James on Twitter @DrJJoyner.

Comments

  1. McGehee says:

    Having the name Florida Marlins frees them up to establish a home field almost anywhere in the state.

  2. Bithead says:

    There’s also the factor that the field is in terrible shape for several ‘phins games…

  3. sortapundit says:

    Are they planning on moving the stadium to London?

    Not a chance. London intends to convert Arsenal Football Club’s home ground, Hihgbury, into a baseball stadium.

    Hell, if Floridians can be stupid, so can us Brits.

  4. Jeff Quinton says:

    New stadium for the Marlins has been proposed next door to the Orange Bowl downtown.

  5. bryan says:

    ESPN mentioned the other day that the Marlins had talked with Las Vegas about a possible move.

  6. Anjin-San says:

    Why can’t the owner of the stadium do whatever the hell he wants with the stadium? I thought this was an “ownership society”.

  7. sortapundit says:

    Why can’t the owner of the stadium do whatever the hell he wants with the stadium? I thought this was an “ownership society”.

    Sure, but if you insist on using your pants to carry lobsters you deserve all you get.

  8. Mythilt says:

    Was the stadium built with private money only? If so, than yes, he has every right to tell the Marlins Hasta la Vista. If not, then the taxpayers should have a say.

    That said, the soccer move might not be that bad an idea, since Miami has a large latino population.