Baltimore Orioles Unveil Plans for Ed Smith Stadium Renovation

The Baltimore Orioles are moving their baseball spring training operations to Sarasota after spending 14 years in Fort Lauderdale. The Orioles signed a 30-year lease for Ed Smith Stadium. In return, Sarasota County committed to renovating the facility as part of the $31 million deal that brought the O's spring training to Sarasota.

This past week, architects presented drawings to county officials of the planned renovations to Ed Smith stadium which first opened in 1989 as the spring training home of the Chicago White Sox. Baseball Spring Training has been a Sarasota tradition since 1924 when the New York Giants were the first team to train here in the old Payne Park.

The goal of the renovation is to update the stadium by adding more seating, providing more shaded areas and updating the general "feel" of the place according to Sarasota architect Gary Hoyt one of the architects working on the renovation.

The new two story facade is expected to features three arches with a direct and inviting view of the ball field. As the stadium stands today, when people walk through the entrance, they are looking at a solid wall -- not the most inviting view.

For baseball fans throughout Sarasota and Manatee County who want to be at the first official Baltimore Orioles game in the stadium, the team will open the 2010 Grapefruit League schedule against the Tampa Bay Rays on March 3rd at 1:05 p.m.

For those who enjoy viewing the free team practices, the O's minor league pitchers hold their first workout at the stadium next week on March 2nd. The first minor league full squad workout will take place on March 6th. Minor league games begin March 17th. Full-team workouts begin Feb. 23.

Team practices are open to the public, free of charge. Once games begin, practices are closed to the public and a game ticket is required for admission. Tickets to all of the 16 games of this spring training season can be purchased online at Orioles.com or by calling the O's Spring Training line at (941) 954-4101 for an order form that may be faxed or mailed back to the stadium. Phone orders are not accepted

Baltimore Orioles spring training baseball here in Sarasota along with the Pittsburgh Pirates spring training in next-door Bradenton, along with so many other golfing and other sporting venues and events provides just one more reason why Sarasota Florida is the best place to buy your next home or condominium.