Orlando Home to the Tampa Yankees?

How close is the Orlando area to having minor league baseball?  Closer than you might think according to Armando Gutierrez Jr. President of Baseball Enterprises LLC and BasesLoadedOrlando.com.

Mr. Gutierrez has reportedly entered into negotiations with the Steinbrenner family and New York Yankees to purchase a partial interest in the Single A Tampa Yankees baseball club.  The deal could ultimately move the club to Orange County and open the doors for Orlando baseball fans to have their own local team to follow and support during the regular season.  At present the only professional baseball Orlando residents can indulge in locally happens during spring training which is typically four short weeks in March.  The closest place for fans to catch a game during the regular season, is Tropicana Field in St. Pete, home of the TB Rays.  For some,  the two hour drive, high ticket prices plus parking fees can be enough to make the venture either unaffordable or a once a year event.

Bringing minor league baseball to Orlando, would feasibly bring baseball closer with cheaper pricing.  Currently  Tampa Yankees ticket pricing starts at $4 each or $6 for reserved seating.  This type of pricing could give families the opportunity to enjoy a game together and show support for a great team that has spawned the likes of Derek Jeter, Tim Raines and Mariano Rivera.

The devil however is in the details and exactly where the team will play has not been determined, although it is reported that Mr. Gutierrez has expressed interest in the International Drive area. Favorite sites up for speculation include Tinker Field and ESPN near Disney where the Atlanta Braves currently hold their spring training.  A site that can taken out of speculation is Apopka where Mr. Gutierrez and his organization, Bases Loaded Orlando recently brought several Yankees coaches to teach a free youth workshop on baseball mechanics. Apopka is a bit too far north from the more tourist oriented sections of the city that are used to accomodating larger crowds.

Hopefully we won't have to speculate for too long and someday soon we can welcome the Orlando Yankees and minor league baseball to town.

For more information or to show your support, please go to www.basesloadedorlando.com or follow Baseball In Orlando on Facebook.