[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

The media is reporting that MLB appears to be discussing with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays the idea of relocating the franchise to New Jersey or Southern Connecticut:Should Florida stick to Spring Training? | MLB.com: News
Like many sports fans that remember when CT was strung along by Robert Kraft and his overtures to move his Patriots to the state, i immediately dismissed the idea that the Rays would land here.

However, after thinking about this a bit more, i'm thinking that the Steel Point parcel in Bpt. would be perfect for a stadium. And, if they did build a real stadium, maybe an NFL franchise would also show "real" interest in relocating here. If nothing else, it would help us resolve our little "identity crisis"(NY/Boston) that we supposedly suffer from.

[Tetto]

Originally Posted by Stratford, Ct. Resident

The media is reporting that MLB appears to be discussing with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays the idea of relocating the franchise to New Jersey or Southern Connecticut:Should Florida stick to Spring Training? | MLB.com: News
Like many sports fans that remember when CT was strung along by Robert Kraft and his overtures to move his Patriots to the state, i immediately dismissed the idea that the Rays would land here.

However, after thinking about this a bit more, i'm thinking that the Steel Point parcel in Bpt. would be perfect for a stadium. And, if they did build a real stadium, maybe an NFL franchise would also show "real" interest in relocating here. If nothing else, it would help us resolve our little "identity crisis"(NY/Boston) that we supposedly suffer from.

I'm not sure that CT can support a professional franchise of any kind. Remember the Whalers? I remember the local news media basically begging people to go and support the team. The civic center holds about 15,500 people and it always seemed at least half empty. I do think it's a great idea, but I'm doubtful if it could be self sustaining without massive tax incentives and a sweetheart real estate deal...Maybe baseball can succeed where hockey couldn't?

[Mike from back east]

I'd rather see the team go to Las Vegas or even Puerto Rico since the Caribbean people are crazy about baseball.

LV or PR gives us a warm weather city for early April playing, rather than the cold snowy northeast or upper midwest.

[S2000]

Originally Posted by Stratford, Ct. Resident

However, after thinking about this a bit more, i'm thinking that the Steel Point parcel in Bpt. would be perfect for a stadium. And, if they did build a real stadium, maybe an NFL franchise would also show "real" interest in relocating here. If nothing else, it would help us resolve our little "identity crisis"(NY/Boston) that we supposedly suffer from.

That would probably be the best place to put it and clean up the area a bit. Although depending on cost of seats it will be a tough time filling the stadium.

[7 Wishes]

The Yankees, Red Sox and perhaps even the Mets would cry territorial rights. And as I believe that article noted (though it may have been in the comments), so many in the state are Yankees or Red Sox diehards that it would be tough to develop loyalty for a new team.

That said, if there were to be a 3rd team in the Tri-State area, somewhere in southern CT a significant distance from NY (like Bridgeport or New Haven) would make more sense than NJ which is just too close geographically to NYC, though the very large population of northern NJ is tempting (like the idea of not having to go over toll bridges just to go 10 miles or so to a game......the Mets even require TWO tollbridges for Jerseyites). I guess with 3 NHL teams and with three baseball teams in the 1950s (albeit at a time when there was no MLB team west or south of St. Louis) it could work, but I'm still pretty skeptical.

I thought about starting a thread like this when I read the article but I figured it would be more appropriate if someone who either actually lives in southern CT or is a native of the state did it.

Originally Posted by Mike from back east

I'd rather see the team go to Las Vegas or even Puerto Rico since the Caribbean people are crazy about baseball.

LV or PR gives us a warm weather city for early April playing, rather than the cold snowy northeast or upper midwest.

My wife said exactly the same thing when she saw the article.

[dazzleman]

I doubt that Connecticut can support a major league team.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by dazzleman

I doubt that Connecticut can support a major league team.

I agree. It'll never happen, or at least not in the near future.

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by Mike from back east

LV or PR gives us a warm weather city for early April playing, rather than the cold snowy northeast or upper midwest.

A dome would eliminate any CT "weather issues", and if the team were to move to LV it would be mandatory that they play in a dome anyway because it wouldn't be feasible to play in an open air stadium in the summer.

As far as Puerto Rico or Cuba go, see the Montreal Expos and their failure to make it work.

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by 7 Wishes

The Yankees, Red Sox and perhaps even the Mets would cry territorial rights. And as I believe that article noted (though it may have been in the comments), so many in the state are Yankees or Red Sox diehards that it would be tough to develop loyalty for a new team.

I think what MLB is seeing here is that we have a ton of rabid fans with $$$$$$. The one thing that we don't know is if MLB would be looking to realign the team in to the National League. I think that if they did, this market would absolutely sustain the team.

[markhunt]

Originally Posted by Stratford, Ct. Resident

The media is reporting that MLB appears to be discussing with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays the idea of relocating the franchise to New Jersey or Southern Connecticut:Should Florida stick to Spring Training? | MLB.com: News
Like many sports fans that remember when CT was strung along by Robert Kraft and his overtures to move his Patriots to the state, i immediately dismissed the idea that the Rays would land here.

However, after thinking about this a bit more, i'm thinking that the Steel Point parcel in Bpt. would be perfect for a stadium. And, if they did build a real stadium, maybe an NFL franchise would also show "real" interest in relocating here. If nothing else, it would help us resolve our little "identity crisis"(NY/Boston) that we supposedly suffer from.

There has been a lot of mention by the media down in Orlando lately about the Rays or Brewers relocating here.

MLB Team In Orlando? - Video - WFTV Orlando (http://www.wftv.com/video/22320095/index.html - broken link)

Local politician Armando Gutierrez wants to bring Major League Baseball to Orlando. - OrlandoSentinel.com

As for MLB in CT... I don't know if it could work or not. I just know I am looking forward to attending Yankee games again soon, and to see their new stadium.