Take Me Out to the Ballgame

Newly Renovated "Ed"

Take me out to the Ballgame took on new meaning in Sarasota's nearly completed rite of spring.  $31-million and some change, along with lengthy legal wrangling culminated in a virtual total upgrade of the aging "Ed," Ed Smith Stadium, first built in 1989.  Whether you think it was taxpayer money well spent or not, deep down you've got to admit it's a pretty spectacular looking place to continue our town's long standing baseball tradition.

Since 1924, Sarasota's been spring training host to the New York Giants, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds and now the Baltimore Orioles.

Not a bad seat in the house

Your editors and spouses were among the average 8,000 plus spring training fans for a couple of the Baltimore Oriole's 16-home games, and came away with grins permanently fixed onto our collective faces.

Crisp, blue sky, 74 degree sunny days added to the newly created atmosphere, that included a new electronic scoreboard that's a tad on the small side, an upper deck level that's now offering shade, and pretty much everything else brand spanking and shiny new.

From improved concessions, souvenir gift shop and added restrooms, this place is a keeper for all but the dourest of local sour pusses.  We especially liked the new park like table and chair seating area beyond the left field fence.  Nice for just kicking back and polishing off a second polish dog with extra kraut.

New Electronic Scoreboard

There's not a bad seat in the house.  Big league and big time, all wrapped in a small town package.  Nice.  Season tickets next year... perhaps?  ~BT