Spotted: H.S. football Week 2
Ohio Players at Fraze
YBS: Oakwood vs. Wyoming
Sarasota's closer, Goodyear may be better for team
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Many Cincinnati Reds fans who drive to Florida from Ohio for spring training envision a possible switch to Arizona as what Clark Griswold encountered in the Family Truckster in the movie "Vacation."
Disasters piled upon mishaps — and without Christie Brinkley.
Extras
It is likely that the Reds will vacate their 10-year spring training home in Sarasota, Fla., in 2010 and move to Goodyear, Ariz., where they'll share a new $75 million facility with the Cleveland Indians.
Many Ohio snowbirds who venture to spring training are distressed about the possible switch — the added mileage, the added costs and lots of sand but no water.
Vandalia's Andrew Amlin, a Reds fan, initially was one of the dissenters, but he quickly changed his mind.
"I was initially disturbed about the Reds possibly leaving Florida," he said. "I soon came to realize they would be crazy to give up such a great financial package that involves a new stadium.
"The purpose of spring training is to train, get ready for the season, so why not do it in a $75 million state-of-the-art facility that costs the ballclub next to nothing?
"Yes, it is a longer trip from Ohio, but I'll still make it. I go to Sarasota every other year, and now I'll just make it to Arizona. I don't know about the financial aspects, but if it seems the team will have more money to get quality players, I'd much rather see a winning team that trains in Arizona than another losing team that trains in Sarasota."
