Near the end of a road in far western Hialeah with a lake as a backdrop, politicians, Major League Baseball and Marlins officials, and youth baseball players gathered Wednesday to celebrate the announcement of a new MLB-backed youth baseball academy.

Proclaiming it to be a “great day” for his city and Miami-Dade County, Hialeah Mayor Julio Robaina and others gushed about the importance of the baseball academy that will be open to young men and women throughout South Florida to play baseball and softball. Construction of the academy, which is being modeled after MLB’s first academy in the country in Compton, Calif., is expected to begin in 2010 and take about two years to complete. Hialeah is providing the land and MLB is contributing about $3.2 million to the project.

The fact that the group, which included five county commissioners and a representative of Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez, gathered at all is supposed to show how close officials believe they are to finalizing the long-awaited $515 million Marlins ballpark. The academy won’t happen, officials say, unless the ballpark is built on the site of the former Orange Bowl. The Hialeah academy was the result of the city's offer to provide the land for a ballpark during negotiations in 2006.

“Major League Baseball is committed to South Florida. This is an affirmation of our commitment to South Florida,” MLB President Bob DuPuy said.

But amid the glowing talk of giving youths an opportunity to play baseball and boost their self-esteem, there was clearly some concern that getting the final ballpark documents approved might not be as simple and rosy as Wednesday’s gathering.

“Commissioner Seijas, very good to see you,” Marlins President David Samson said addressing County Commissioner Natacha Seijas before the rest of the crowd. Seijas, after all, was the only one of the five commissioners present who, despite her profound love of baseball, hasn’t always supported the Marlins ballpark project.

Samson, however, remains as optimistic – publicly – as ever. The five ballpark agreements are nearing completion and although it hasn’t been officially scheduled, officials are hoping for a vote of the Miami city and county commissions on Jan. 22.

“We all came together now, because we feel as though we’re in a position very, very shortly, to deliver to 13 county commissioners and five city of Miami commissioners completed documents for their approval. There is no deal without their approval,” Samson said. “They’re the only votes that matter. This is the vote to end all votes, this is it.”

Commission Chairman Dennis Moss said Jan. 22 is the target date, but he’s not sure that’s possible. He, Commissioners Pepe Diaz, Rebeca Sosa, and Bruno Barreiro, who were also in attendance, have routinely supported the project.

“I’m personally supportive of the stadium. Again, the devil is in the details,” Moss said. “I’m supportive of it, I’m hoping we can work through with whatever issues we have, and get an agreement signed off on and move forward on keeping the Miami Marlins in South Florida.”

The stadium project will need approval of nine of the county’s 13 commissioners. And some members of the public have grown increasingly concerned about the large public investment in a stadium when the economy is struggling. Commissioners reminded that the public investment comes from tourist tax dollars that can only be used for projects such as sports venues and convention centers, rather than roads or schools or public safety. They also said the stadium will create jobs.

Seijas said she would reserve comment until she’s seen the final stadium documents.

Samson thanked everyone for the hard work on the Hialeah academy, but reminded the crowd where things stand.

“There’s a little work left to be done, but I’ve never felt more confident than I do today, Mr. Chairman, and I look forward to seeing everyone soon," Samson said.

As always, stay tuned…