If you’re a sports fan in South Florida, chances are you’ve seen RRA’s logo. Or heard of one of the companies Scott Rothstein’s invested in. That’s because Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler has been rapidly racking up sports sponsorships and teaming with local athletes and their charitable organizations.
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Remember those billboards featuring Rothstein with Dan Marino, promoting RRA’s partnership with the Dan Marino Foundation? RRA served as a presenting sponsor of The Summer Groove, hosted by Alonzo Mourning and Dwyane Wade, held in July at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood.

Ten days ago – not long before it became public Rothstein was under investigation -- RRA was the sponsor of the Miami Dolphins 2009 Alumni Weekend. RRA sponsors the Heat and messages promoting the firm's connections with Marino’s and Mourning’s charities have flashed from the giant MediaMesh LED marquee on the front of AmericanAirlines Arena that overlooks Biscayne Boulevard. There’s even an RRA ad in the Miami Heat’s opening night program.

RRA has a sponsorship deal at BankAtlantic Center with the Florida Panthers. Three other companies in which Rothstein has an investment -- Bova, Renato and V Georgio Vodka -- also have sponsorship agreements with the team and arena. Bova sponsors the Panthers' Ice Dancers.

The Heat, Panthers and Dan Marino Foundation all declined to comment Tuesday. But don't be surprised if RRA's logo is no longer included as part of the Panthers' game presentation.

The Florida Marlins are the only one of the four major pro sports team in South Florida that doesn’t have any sort of partnership with RRA or Rothstein-connected company.

In January, attendees at a VIP party before the BCS National Championship Game received a football-shaped luggage tag featuring the BCS and RRA logos.

On Monday, Miami Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown broadcast his weekly radio show, “The Ronnie Brown Show,’” on WQAM-560 AM from Bova Prime in Fort Lauderdale, just as he's done all season.

Last month, Rothstein announced the formation of RRA Sports & Entertainment, a division to handle marketing and endorsement deals for athletes. Its first clients are Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder and junior tennis player Sachia Vickery.

Rothstein is also a member of the corporate marketing committee of the South Florida Super Bowl Host Committee, but so far has been missing in action, host committee chairman Rodney Barreto said Tuesday.

“I did have lunch with him to discuss the Super Bowl and if he wanted to get involved with us. He’s involved with a lot of great charities. He agreed,” said Barreto, who met with Rothstein a few months ago.

“He’s attended no meetings, participated with no referrals or anything to date. As far as I’m concerned, he hasn’t done anything with our committee yet. I wish he would have,” Barreto said adding he thought someone of Rothstein’s stature and connections could help the host committee.

“He was a force, don’t kid yourself,” Barreto said. “It was brought to my attention, why don’t we consider having him help open doors for us, to help find potential sponsors. It didn’t work out.”

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Norman Braman may have lost his long-running battle targeting the financing for the Florida Marlins’ ballpark and other Miami projects, but he has several supporters.

Nearly 100 politicians, lawyers, activists and other Miami-Dade County residents took out a full page ad in Monday’s Miami Herald to thank the luxury auto dealer for acting on the public’s behalf. According to the Herald, it’s 97 people who paid $5,000 for the ad that reads:

“The Greater Miami Community Thanks Norman Braman.

You fought the good fight and we appreciate all you have done. On behalf the hundreds of thousands of Greater Miami residents we want to you to know that we stand with you knowing that you have stood for what is right and just for all of us and future generations.”

The list of supporters included Miami Beach Mayor Matti Herrera Bower, former Miami Beach Mayor David Dermer, art collector and businessman Marty Margulies, auto and real estate magnate Alan Potamkin, Perry Ellis CEO George Feldenkreis, Ivax founder Phillip Frost and lots of others.

Braman was seeking, among other things, a public vote on the use of public tax dollars for the venue for a private baseball team.

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You may disagree with the amount of public funding that’s been committed to it or its location at the former site of the Orange Bowl, but the Florida Marlins’ ballpark is actually being built. Construction is thoroughly underway.

So much so that the team was happy to show off the ongoing construction during a hardhat media tour this morning. Check out a photo gallery here. Sid Perkins, the project’s construction manager who works for the Hunt/Moss joint venture that his building the venue, was our tour guide. He wore a black Marlins polo shirt, a cowboy-shaped hardhat with a Smith & Wesson logo, and carried a cigar.

We had to wear hardhats, too, (although not cowboy-shaped), some of which had been used by Miami-Dade County Commissioners during the ceremonial ground-breaking on July 18. I got Bruno Barriero’s; Miami Herald Marlins beat writer Clark Spencer’s was Sally Heyman's…(insert joke here…)

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Luxury auto dealer Norman Braman has struck out again.The Third District Court of Appeal affirmed on Wednesday the lower court’s ruling in Braman’s suit targeting the financing for the Florida Marlins' new ballpark and other Miami projects.

That means the appeals court agreed with the Miami-Dade Circuit court, which last year ruled against Braman. Braman’s attorneys argued, among other things, the public should have been allowed to vote on the use of public tax dollars for the venue for a private baseball team.

“We’re evaluating the decision and our options,” Braman said Wednesday afternoon.

The Marlins are continuing construction of the $515 million ballpark, which began in July on 928,000 square feet at the former site of the Orange Bowl. The team declined to comment on the appeals court ruling.

Miami-Dade County and the city of Miami were also named in Braman’s suit.

“Incredible progress is being made at the site of the new Miami Marlins ballpark,” Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez said in a statement. “Jobs are being created and the Little Havana neighborhood is alive with new activity. Today’s ruling ensures that we will continue to move forward in a positive direction, creating opportunities for businesses, residents, and visitors.”

The ballpark is scheduled to open in 2012.

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About an hour into ABC’s broadcast of Saturday’s UM-Oklahoma game at Land Shark Stadium, Brent Musburger waxed about the Hurricanes’ former home, the now-demolished Orange Bowl.

ABC aired video showing where the old stadium once stood. On the site, as you know, workers have been constructing columns that will serve as the supports for the Florida Marlins’ $515 million retractable-roof ballpark. The images were something like this one at left, although much closer up. (Many, many thanks to Edward Martinez for posting the video on YouTube -- see below).

Here’s what Musburger said (thanks to a friend with a DVR):

“Well, there’s where the old Orange Bowl stood. All those great years and great games. Now an overpass is being built down there.”

Huh? An overpass? Could someone have clued him in?

Here’s what else he said:

“Many, many memories for a lot of folks here in South Florida and around the country, from Doug Flutie to Kellen Winslow, Joe Namath, you can go on and on. And here, they are in their new digs, Land Shark Stadium, where the Dolphins play their home games.”

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In a highly unusual collaboration, 10 South Florida sports teams and events have banded together to sell a package of tickets to 10 different sporting events that saves fans $150 to $550.

The South Florida Super Pass, being sold in limited numbers through Oct. 30, costs $330 for regular seats and $1,125 for premium seats to see the region’s four pro sports teams, NASCAR finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, horse racing at Calder and Gulfstream, soccer, and attend the Sony Ericsson Open tennis tournament and the World Golf Championship event at Doral.

Getting all the teams and events to agree wasn’t simple. But Aaron Davidson, chairman of the sports committee of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, which is selling the ticket, said everyone saw the benefit.

“The economy probably helped. Our South Florida sports market is a challenging one in general,” said Davidson, who is also president of Miami FC soccer team. “Everyone realizes we’ve got to promote our South Florida sports. I hope this joint initiative is the first of many.”

The Super Pass can be purchased at sportssuperpass.com.

Each event works differently and the revenue is shared based on the team or event’s cost, Davidson said.

The Miami Dolphins, for example, are providing a 400 level seat with a food voucher or a Hall of Champions suite seat with food and beverage to the Dec. 27 game against the Houston Texans. The Florida Panthers are offering a goal zone ticket or an ADT Club ticket with food and beverage to any home game this season. Homestead-Miami Speedway is offering a reserved grandstand or Speedway Club seat to the Nov. 22 NASCAR finale.

The idea is to give fans a discount and encourage them to attend an event they might not have considered. Other teams and events have teamed up to sell a joint ticket, but those partnerships typically involve two events or teams. For example, the World Golf Championship and Sony Ericsson Open sold a joint ticket that allowed fans to attend both events, when their schedules overlapped in 2007. This summer, the Cleveland Browns and Indians sold a suite package together that included two Indians games and one Browns game.

Bill Sutton, associate director of the DeVos Sport Business Management Program at the University of Central Florida, applauded the South Florida ticket plan, which he compared to an entertainment book of vouchers and discounts.

“It makes sense,” Sutton said. “It’s one of the hardest hit regions by the economy ... It gives people value and a sampling opportunity.”

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Bolstered by announced crowds of more than 31,000 for each of the last four home games of the 2009 season, the Florida Marlins saw their attendance rise 12.5 percent from 2008.

The Marlins drew 1,465,109 fans for 78 home dates or an average of 18,783 fans a game. That’s up from 1,335,075 or 16,688 fans a game for 80 dates in 2008. This season three games were postponed due to rain and doubleheaders were scheduled in which attendance was counted just once. The team wrapped up its home schedule at Land Shark Stadium Sunday getting shut out 4-0 by the New York Mets.

That’s still last in the National League, but up one spot from the basement, where the team dwelled (in attendance) for the past three seasons. The Oakland A’s, who are in 30th place right now, play three more games at home this week, but it’s unlikely their home attendance will surpass the Marlins'.

The past four Marlins games had announced crowds of 31,042; 39,031; 35,666; and 31,167. Remember, Major League Baseball teams announce the number of tickets sold, regardless of whether the tickets are vastly discounted, included as part of sponsors’ deals, or stamped with a $1 figure and donated to charity.

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Wondering about that attendance figure of 31,042 at Wednesday’s Florida Marlins-Philadelphia Phillies game at Land Shark Stadium? So were we. Several people told me that although the stands looked fairly crowded in person and on TV, the actual attendance in the stadium looked more like 20,000 to 22,000.

We all know it’s not unusual for announced attendance to be larger than the actual crowd. Major League Baseball attendance is announced based on the number of tickets sold, even if those tickets are vastly discounted or say, part of a sponsorship package or if the team stamps a $1 figure on them and donates them to charity. Read more about how attendance is tabulated across the leagues in this piece I wrote in 2006.

So, why if the announced attendance was 20,039 for Tuesday’s double header against the Phillies and the team is averaging 18,109 a game this season, would Wednesday’s figure be more than 30,000?

Looks like the Eye on Miami blog may have found an answer. The blog reports Miami-Dade County and city of Miami employees were offered up to four free tickets each to Wednesday’s game. A copy of the email sent to county employees describes the offer as the team’s “thank you to the many organizations in South Florida that make this a great community.” How about a thank you for the hundreds of millions of public dollars going to the team's new ballpark?

The county email also says the “value of the tickets falls below the gift reporting threshold under the County Code.”

No idea how many county or city employees took advantage of the offer, but it’s likely the team accounted for government employees – even if they didn’t show -- in the attendance announced Wednesday.

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The Florida Marlins are freezing season ticket prices for next season and offering fans a break if they commit to pay for two seasons.

Pay by Monday – aren’t the Marlins still in a pennant race and wild card race? – and you’ll get an 8 percent discount. If you also agree to pay for 2011 – you won’t be charged until March – you’ll get the 2009 prices and 8 percent discount, too. The Marlins, who broke ground in July for their new $515 million ballpark in Little Havana they expect to open in 2012, are hoping 2011 is their last season at Land Shark Stadium.

If you just commit for next season, but want to pay in five installments, you’ll still get a 2.5 percent discount. Season tickets offer you seating priority in the new ballpark.

Full 81-game season ticket plans range from $6.75 a game in the Fish Tank to $184.50 a game in the Batters Box MVP seats. Infield box seats cost $27.25 a game and Club A seats costs $31.50 a game. The team is also offering 41-game plans ($8.75 in Fish Tank to $61.75 in the Founders Club); 28-game plans ($8.75 in Fish Tank to $34.75 in infield box) and 15 game plans ($12 in Fish Tank to $39 in infield box).

Individual ticket prices are also being frozen for 2010, but the team has assigned the games into new categories: Gold games are Opening Day and Saturdays; Silver games are Fridays; Bronze games are Sunday through Thursday games. It still costs more if you wait until game day to buy your tickets.

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The Florida Marlins took another giant step in their ballpark construction Friday afternoon, conducting the first “vertical concrete pour” for the first of the 12 super columns that will support the venue’s retractable roof.

The first 16 feet of the concrete was poured into the 40-foot tall rebar cage installed last week for the columns. Among those in attendance: Marlins President David Samson, General Manager Mike Hill and former manager Jack McKeon. Check out photos by the Marlins’ Robert Vigon.

Ballpark construction facts: the first elliptical-shaped column will be 8 feet by 15 feet and 130 feet tall. The columns will support the 8,300-ton roof structure, which will include three panels supported by a two-track system on the north and south sides of the ballpark. The column poured Friday is part of the north track.

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Just back from vacation. What’d I miss?

Marlins Stadium Update No. Third District Court of Appeals: Lawyers for auto dealer Norman Braman appeared at an appeal hearing last week for the case targeting financing for the Marlins ballpark that Braman lost last summer at the circuit court level. Don’t expect a ruling anytime soon. Meanwhile, work continues on the ballpark, including the first “vertical pour” for the first of 12 super columns is scheduled Friday afternoon at the former site of the Orange Bowl.

Land Shark Stadium spiced up: The stadium’s helixes, gates and security gates got the signature colorful paint styling of neo pop artist Romero Britto, who was joined by South Florida children on Sunday for a painting party.

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The Marlins are keeping a part of their history frozen in time in the foundation of the new ballpark. The team buried a metal case full of mementos from the team's inaugural season in 1993, its two World Series championships in 1997 and 2003, and this season.

The case was buried Wednesday inside a wooden support, surrounded with concrete that will serve as part of one of the 12 column supports for the roof structure of the 37,000-seat ballpark at the former site of the Orange Bowl in Little Havana. The team is referring to it as building "their foundation on two World Series Championships." (See photos courtesy of the Marlins' Robert Vigon).

It began to pour with rain as the case was being buried -- perhaps a spot of good luck for the franchise that has been seeking a new ballpark with a retractable roof for more than a decade.

Team officials weren't revealing specifically what's been included inside the case -- to leave some mystery for when the ballpark's structure is pulled down decades from now and the "capsule" is opened. MLB.com reports only these details about the case's contents: a DVD explaining what's inside and why; a newspaper from Wednesday, and items from 1993, and the 1997, 2003 and 2009 seasons.

What do you think should have been included?

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Thanks to his partnership with Sharp Electronics, Florida Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez will be stopping at Brandsmart in Miami on Saturday to sign autographs and pose for photos.

Sharp included Ramirez along with a dozen other Major League Baseball players last summer in promotions for its Sharp Aquos, MLB’s “official High Definition television.”

Ramirez will appear from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday at Brandsmart, 16051 S. Dixie Highway, Miami. He will only be allowed to autograph signature cards that Sharp will be providing at the event.

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The Florida Marlins entered a significant chapter in construction of their new ballpark this morning, when the concrete was poured for the first of 12 super columns that will support the venue’s roof. (Photos courtesy of the Marlins by Robert Vigon).

The pour was the first of a total 450 foundation pours for the $515 million, 37,000-seat ballpark project. According to a release form the team, the concrete was poured over an 8-foot deep, 40 foot by 40 foot hole. About 250 cubic yards was to be poured this morning out of a total 60,000 cubic yards for the project.

“Starting the first of 12 foundation pours means that the super columns that support the retractable roof will be erected by this fall,” Claude Delorme, Marlins senior vice president of ballpark development, said in a statement.

Concrete company, Colasanti Specialty Services Inc., is leading the foundation work.

Meanwhile, the team has awarded the contract for construction of the retractable roof to Structal-Heavy Steel Construction, a business unit of Canam Group. The company has worked on dozens of North American sports venues, including BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise and AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami.

The team officially broke ground July 18 for the ballpark scheduled to open in 2012.

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The Florida Marlins called to say information sent in a release this afternoon that Miami Dolphins Executive Vice President of Football Operations Bill Parcells would be conducting the ballpark "countdown teardown" on Sunday was inaccurate. It's Billy the Marlin who will be doing the number teardown honors after the fifth inning of Sunday's Marlins-Colorado Rockies game at Land Shark Stadium.

The countdown teardown board is on the left field wall at the stadium. It counts down the number of home games until the Marlins' new ballpark opens, scheduled in 2012. The team is calling on celebrities, fans and current and former players to pull down the numbers.

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Fresh off a weekend sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies, the resurgent – four games back in the NL East – Florida Marlins return home today and on Saturday, you can meet outfielder Cody Ross.

Ross will be signing autographs – for free, one item per customer – at the “Grand Re-opening” of Dunkin’ Donuts at 1146 N. University Drive, Coral Springs. The store is at the northwest corner of University and Ramblewood drives, just behind Burger King.

The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with Ross appearing from 11 a.m. to noon. Billy the Marlin will also be at the store at the same time as Ross.

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Former Marlins and current Chicago Cubs broadcaster Len Kasper did the honors Sunday. Boog Sciambi and Don Sutton have done it, too. Former Marlins manager Jack McKeon was the first one to do it. It’s also been done by The Village People (see photo by the Marlins' Robert Vigon) and longtime fan Bob Ramer.

IT is the nightly unveiling of the number of regular season home games left until Opening Day of the Marlins' new ballpark, expected in 2012. There’s a Game Countdown board in left field at Land Shark Stadium. The number is pulled after the fifth inning of home games once the games become official. The number is currently 188.

The Marlins are calling on celebrities and longtime fans to help with the new in-game ritual, which started after the team held its official ceremonial ground-breaking for the $515 million ballpark at the former site of the Orange Bowl on July 18.

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The Marlins committed to ensuring minority businesses get work on the new ballpark. To help make that happen, the team and the Minority Chamber of Commerce have teamed up to offer an informational seminar on Monday.

“Doing Business with Florida Marlins Stadium Project, a Call for Minority Entrepreneurs” will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Monday at the Double Tree Hotel Miami Mart, 711 NW 72nd Ave., Miami.

Additional information about employment with the Marlins ballpark can be found at www.huntmossjv.com.

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Entries in the Marlins’ “What’s Your Reason?” video contest that challenged fans to come up with unique uses for rival teams’ jerseys have been narrowed to two.

The public has until July 29 to vote for its favorite. The choice is between using a New York Mets jersey as a birthday party pinata and a Washington Nationals jersey to help clean up a barbecue. Watch and vote for the videos here.

The winner will be determined by a combination of fan votes and a panel of team judges. The winning video will be shown on the video board at the Marlins-Chicago Cubs game at Land Shark Stadium on Aug. 1. And the winner will receive a prize package that includes a night at a Marlins game in a suite for up to 10 people and a Marlins jersey for the video creator.

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There are clocks around the Marlins offices at Land Shark Stadium that count down the days until April 1, 2012. That's when the team's new ballpark is expected to open.

Saturday was a significant day. Less than 12 hours after the team finished an extra inning game against the Philadelphia Phillies that stretched into Saturday morning after a 78-minute rain delay, team executives and players, and representatives of Major League Baseball, Miami-Dade County and the city of Miami gathered on a sun-scorched spot in Little Havana where the Orange Bowl once stood. They were joined by some 5,000 fans, many decked out in Marlins gear, to celebrate the beginning of construction of the team’s looong sought ballpark.

Work at the site officially started July 1, but when something takes this long to get approved, there’s cause for celebration. In fact, with the sun beating down, the late-ish start to the program, and numerous speeches -- many in both English and Spanish -- there were moments when it felt like it might take as long to hold the ground-breaking as it did to get to this day. But by the end of the event, which started at 10 a.m. and didn’t end for another two and a half hours, Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria and President David Samson, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez, Miami Mayor Manny Diaz, County Commission Chairman Dennis Moss, City Commissioner Joe Sanchez, Gov. Charlie Crist (via video), representatives of the architect (Populous – formerly HOK Sport), and the construction manager (Hunt-Moss), and MLB Commissioner Bud Selig had all waxed about the new ballpark with its roof to prevent rain delays and air conditioning for sweltering days like today.

Marlins inaugural pitcher-catcher battery Charlie Hough and Benito Santiago did first pitch honors, the organist played Take Me Out to the Ballgame, videos showed Marlins highlights, including the two World Series championships, and what the new ballpark is to look like.

The dignitaries then donned hardhats and wielded shovels with handles fashioned like baseball bats and dug the dirt at the spot in the ceremonial diamond where home plate will be. They took dozens and dozens of photographs. And then they finally allowed fans, who waited patiently as they melted in the heat, to get a turn shoveling some dirt at home plate and getting a snapshot.

Among the attendees: eight county commissioners, at least two city commissioners (ballpark opponents city commissioners Marc Sarnoff’s and Tomas Regalado’s names were announced and the crowd booed), Manager Fredi Gonzalez, President of Baseball Operations Larry Beinfest, General Manager Mike Hill, Senior VP of Stadium Development Claude Delorme, former manager Jack McKeon, Special Assistants Tony Perez and Andre Dawson, Mr. Marlin Jeff Conine, and current players including Hanley Ramirez, Ricky Nolasco, Matt Lindstrom, Dan Meyer, Brian Sanchez, Chris Coghlan. University of Miami President Donna Shalala was also in the crowd.

Loria couldn’t have seemed happier, even delighting the crowd with a message in Spanish. He spoke about the future, talking about the ballpark’s clean lines, fan comforts, including “great” food, and the roof that will finally bring certainty that games will be played and won’t be delayed.

(Is it ominous or poetic that Saturday night's game was rained out?)

But Loria also didn’t neglect the past.

He spoke of the University of Miami Hurricanes’ many years at the Orange Bowl, including winning its first of five national championships in 1983. He talked of the Dolphins' 1972 undefeated season.

“We honor both of these teams, we remember their achievements,” Loria said. “We vow the ghosts of glorious past victories will be with us, when we take the field every single night.”

Alvarez echoed Loria: “This spot in little Havana is full of memories. We have watched the Miami Dolphins complete the NFL’s only undefeated season from this land right here in the Orange Bowl. We grew up watching the Miami Hurricanes, win five national titles on this land. As far as I’m concerned this is sacred ground in athletics.

“Now it’s the Miami Marlins’ turf," he said. "I don’t know about all of you. I think I can guess, but I’m ready to see a player such as Hanley Ramirez hit a home run with downtown Miami as a backdrop.”

For some it was part campaign opportunity: Crist, who is running for U.S. Senate, gave a videotaped message. Sanchez, who is running for mayor of Miami, tried to make it look like he wasn’t campaigning. “I am very proud to have played a very small part of this great success,” Sanchez said. “And I speak from the heart, when I tell you when our leaders focus on what’s right for the next generation, and not the next election, that is what makes great cities in America.”

MLB Commissioner Bud Selig told fans that all the controversy that surrounded getting the ballpark deal will disappear once the 37,000-seat, $515 million venue opens, expected in 2012. When he was through, fans shouted “All-Star Game, All-Star Game.”

Selig said the new ballpark would be given “primary consideration,” but he wasn’t ready to commit how soon that might happen. He was also clearly overwhelmed by the heat – “Where I was this morning, it was 55 degrees,” he said.

Samson meanwhile, said the team will be working on new merchandise and branding and even uniforms for the team’s name change to Miami Marlins, when it moves into the new ballpark in 2012.

“New uniforms, we’re relocating,” Samson said. “We’re going to embrace our current fan base and welcome a new fan base, because it’s what we need to have happen.”

Samson also mentioned some of the amenities that will be included in the new ballpark, in part because of fan suggestions, including game radio broadcasts pumped into restrooms during games, a smaller secondary video board down the left field line for fans who don’t have a good view of the main centerfield scoreboard. He said fans also wanted to be able to see into the bullpens during games, so the left field swimming pool area will have views into the home bullpen and there will be a group seating area in right field with a view into the visitor’s bullpen. Yes, that means the dugouts will be switched with the Marlins’ on the third base side, rather than the first base side, as it is now at Land Shark Stadium.

Watch the video, from Populous, that was shown at the ground-breaking, showing details of the ballpark:
 

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This morning, the Marlins will make history, holding the official ceremonial ground-breaking for their loooong awaited ballpark.

The ceremony is expected to be full of optimism and forward-looking, but it will also include a tinge of history: the Marlins’ first-ever pitcher-catcher battery of Charlie Hough and Benito Santiago will perform a ceremonial first pitch at the former Orange Bowl site.

With that in mind, when the Marlins take their new field, expected in 2012, they’ll be making another nod to the past -- changing their name to Miami Marlins. It’s a requirement of the ballpark deal struck with Miami-Dade County and city of Miami, which are paying the bulk of the ballpark’s price.

While the name isn’t expected to change until the new ballpark opens, the team is already quietly easing into the transition. Its Web site is now just marlins.com without the Florida.

As for the original Miami Marlins, they were a minor league team that played in the International League from 1956 to 1960 at Miami’s famed and now-demolished Miami Stadium (renamed Bobby Maduro in 1987). Satchel Paige pitched for the team. Later, there was a Florida State League team named the Miami Marlins, which played at the stadium from1962-1970 and then from 1982-1988.

The original Miami Marlins are immortalized in a T-shirt produced by Ebbets Field Flannels, a Seattle mail order company (ebbets.com) that sells authentic flannel and felt-lettered reproductions of minor league baseball jerseys, jackets and caps, favored by the likes of Spike Lee, David Letterman and former Sex Pistol John Lydon. As you can see, the shirt’s orange – one of the Major League Marlins’ colors - and shows a baseball bat-wielding marlin popping out of old Miami Stadium.

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With more than 6,000 applicants descending on the former site of the Orange Bowl last week seeking jobs on the Marlins' new ballpark, the project’s construction manager has created a Web site for potential employees.

Hunt/Moss, the joint venture between Hunt Construction Group of Arizona and Fort Lauderdale-based Moss & Associates, has posted a potential employment questionnaire on the site at huntmossjv.com. The site also includes information for companies wishing to bid for work on the project. Hunt/Moss estimates as many as 5,000 individual workers will be needed for the ballpark's construction.

“The outpouring of interest last week clearly demonstrates this is an important project that will provide much needed jobs during these difficult times,” Marlins President David Samson said in a statement. “We look forward to subcontractors beginning work the next several weeks.”

Construction crews began grading the site for the ballpark last week. Watch progress on the Marlins ballpark webcam. An official ceremonial ground-breaking is scheduled at 10 a.m. Saturday.

And don’t forget to follow me on Twitter: @sarahtalalay

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At the same time out of work construction workers swarmed the grounds where the Orange Bowl once stood for a shot at a job on the Marlins’ $515 million ballpark, critics were gasping over the $2.4 billion it is expected to cost to pay off the construction bonds for the project.

Miami-Dade County officially released the financing costs for the bonds late this afternoon, but the Miami Herald had already published the numbers. The $2.4 billion is the cost over 40 years to pay off $409 million in bonds, most of which will go to the ballpark.

There’s been no shortage of criticism of the numbers, including by our own Mike Mayo, especially since County Manager George Burgess told commissioners last week he didn’t know the final costs, as he was asking commissioners to approve increasing the interest rate on a portion of the bonds. The financing schedule takes into account the higher than anticipated interest rate and backloads higher debt service payments to ensure the county has collected enough tourist tax dollars to cover the payments.

In his memo with the financing schedule, Burgess stressed the county is working hard to avoid dipping into the general fund, which has been pledged as a secondary funding source, should tourist tax dollars fall short.

“The bottom line is that the transaction was structured within the constrained tourist tax revenue streams in a way that will significantly minimize any exposure to the secondary pledge of the bonds,” Burgess wrote.

There’s also the possibility the bonds can be refinanced when credit markets improve.

Put simply: there’s no question the project relies on a huge sum of public dollars. County officials call them tourist tax dollars, which have a restricted use. That’s true, but they are still public dollars.

But don’t forget that when you buy a house, you pay a lot more than the asking price over the life of your mortgage. For example, if you bought a $200,000 home with 6 percent interest, you’d end up paying $431,626 over 30 years – or more than double the sale price.

The bonds for the stadium construction, which were mainly sold to institutions, are scheduled to close July 14. The team has scheduled an official ballpark ground-breaking at 10 a.m. July 18.

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The Marlins have been giving away mortgage or rent payments or $2,500 each at Saturday games and offering free tickets to unemployed South Floridians on Mondays this season.

Continuing its "Economic Relief " programs, the team is offering out-of-work fans a chance to make money by selling ticket plans. Qualified registrants, who are at least 18 and will be paired with sales executives, can earn commissions of up to 10 percent and bonuses.

Register for the Marlins Community Sales Force through July 19 at marlins.com or at Land Shark Stadium. The program runs July 20 to Feb. 15, 2010. The team will consider hiring successful sellers full-time.

The Marlins are just a game out of first place in the NL East, but selling tickets to the team has never been easy. The team, which is averaging 18,117 tickets sold per game, currently ranks last in attendance among baseball’s 30 teams.

Given the state of the economy, is it more difficult to find a job or sell a Marlins season ticket plan?

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With construction bonds sold and grading work started at the former site of the Orange Bowl, the Marlins officially announced their “ceremonial” ground-breaking with a release this afternoon. It’s at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 18 at 1501 NW 3rd St., Miami.

There will be all the usuals you’d expect: team, Miami, Miami-Dade County, state and Major League Baseball officials, Billy the Marlin, the Mermaids, the Manatees. Marlins broadcasters Dave Van Horne and Felo Ramirez will host. New renderings and a video will be shown.

The first 1,000 fans to show up at the free event will get a coupon for a “ballpark-style lunch” and a ground-breaking pin to commemorate the occasion. Original Marlins Charlie Hough and Benito Santiago are to conduct a ceremonial first pitch, in honor of their role as the “first ever ‘battery’ in franchise history.” All fans will be able to shovel dirt where home plate will be in the new ballpark.

But here’s my favorite part of the press release – a sports business sentence like I’ve never seen - ENJOY:

“The Badia Spices Groundbreaking Ceremony, built by the Florida Carpenters Regional Council, is presented by South Florida Ford Dealers, Preferred Care Partners and Baker Concrete Construction.”

Meanwhile, the team is holding a “groundbreaking” essay contest. The prize? Serving as honorary participant in the groundbreaking ceremony and getting a groundbreaking shovel, personalized Marlins jersey and four infield box seats to a 2009 regular season game at Land Shark Stadium.

The contest is open to kids ages 6 to 12, who must describe in 500 words or less – in English or Spanish - what a new Marlins ballpark in Miami means to them and why they want to play a role in the groundbreaking. Submissions will be accepted until 5 p.m. July 13 online at marlins.com or in person at the team’s offices at the stadium, 2267 Dan Marino Blvd., Miami Gardens.

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Project: Marlins new ballpark
Director: Jeffrey Loria
Dir. Of Photog: David Samson
Date: July 1, 2009
Scene: 1; Take 1 (aka 7 billion)

Work finally began at the site of the new Marlins ballpark in Little Havana today. Workers began moving the dirt, grading the site where the Orange Bowl once stood. Marlins President David Samson called it essentially flattening the ground. (See photo by the Marlins' Robert Vigon below).

Workers arrived at the site at 7 a.m., just hours after Miami-Dade County Commissioners took the final votes (9-3) needed to ensure the sale of the bonds to pay for construction so the project could move forward. That almost didn’t happen. The deal was almost derailed again late Tuesday, when County Manager George Burgess told commissioners the county had fallen about $6.2 million short in its effort to sell the bonds.

Neither the county nor the city would agree to put any more money into the deal to build a $515 million, retractable roof stadium. The Marlins said they’d cover the gap, but some commissioners worried about the county’s liability, changing the deal again and why, if the team was willing to give more in the final hour, the county hadn’t extracted more from the team in the deal.

Team and county officials worked into Wednesday morning to craft changes to the deal that would incorporate the team’s agreement to cover the gap and allow the county to sell some of the bonds at a higher interest rate than anticipated. The commission voted at 1:10 a.m. The changes are to go to the city of Miami or approval, but the county ensured the project could still go forward, even if the city rejects them.

"If last night had not worked out and there had been a termination, that would have been the end of baseball in South Florida,” Samson said. “What we decided as a team was that it was enough. It was time to start.”

Unless the bond sales do not close – something Samson doesn’t anticipate – the project is to move forward with an official, ceremonial ground-breaking scheduled on July 18. Samson said “There are no hurdles.”

Burgess said the bonds were sold Wednesday afternoon with a closing date later this month.

The Marlins have been trying for years to secure financing to build a new ballpark with a roof so they can protect fans from heat and rain and control their own revenue. At Land Shark Stadium, the team pays rent and receives only percentages of revenue from concessions, parking and advertising signage.

Burgess said he was feeling “very good” about the state of the project.

“Projects like this that are this large and complex, I don’t know that I’ve ever encountered one of these kinds of game changers that can have an impact and found it to be easy,” Burgess said. “The North Terminal [of the airport] has not been easy, but it has an enormously significant effect. In the long run it helps define a community … We’re going to look back and this [ballpark] is going to be a wonderful addition to this community.”

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Miami-Dade County fell short by $6.2 million in its effort to sell bonds for a new Marlins ballpark Tuesday, but site preparation work is expected to begin Wednesday morning at the former location of the Orange Bowl.

Although the shortfall in the bond sale threw the ballpark deal into disarray for several hours Tuesday night and into early Wednesday, the deal appeared to be back on track, after the Marlins agreed to fill the gap should the dollars be needed to complete the 37,000-seat retractable roof ballpark.

The commission debated from about 7 to 9 p.m. and then what was meant to be a 45-minute break stretched on for three and a half hours. The commission finally returned at 12:30 a.m. Wednesday and voted 9-3 for changes that will allow the deal to move forward. Commissioners approved three items, including agreeing to a higher interest rate on the some of the bonds and adjusting the county's commitment to the project to $341 million down from $347 million.

Earlier in the evening, County Manager George Burgess told commissioners the county had planned to sell $306 million in bonds, but fell short by about $6.2 million and a portion of the bonds were set at a higher interest rate than the county had expected. That means the county’s commitment to payments will remain the same, but the gap needed filling. Neither the county, nor city were willing to step up, Burgess said.

“At end of the day, we’re extraordinarily close,” Burgess told commissioners. “We’ve had conversations with the team. My ask of them was, ‘If we’re short, are you prepared to be able to cover the difference’?”

Marlins President David Samson insisted the team would -- and the public would not be asked to put more into the deal.

“We made a commitment in March," Samson said. "That commitment was there would be a certain amount of money the public would be committing and not one dollar more.”

Worried construction workers would not be able to begin working, Samson said the team would cover any additional costs.

“If this building costs $515 million, the team will put in what’s required,” Samson said. “If it costs $512 million that is what the team will do.”

You can see equipment on the site via the team’s ballpark webcam. A formal ground-breaking is scheduled on July 18.

Not to get too technical here, but while the bonds backed by the professional sports franchise facilities tax portion of the hotel tax were sold at a lower interest rate than anticipated, those backed by the Convention Development portion of the hotel tax were set at a higher rate. The “blended rate” of the two taxes fell within the county’s 7.5 percent cap, but the commission needed to sign off on the higher cap of 8.2 percent for the CDT-backed bonds.

Some commissioners worried about encumbering more taxpayer dollars, tapping into the county’s general fund if hotel dollars fall short during the life of the deal, and continuing to adjust a deal that has dogged them for years, but may finally result in a ground-breaking in a few weeks.

Commissioner Sally Heyman wanted Samson to agree to cover the $6 million shortfall rather than agreeing to cover any additional costs. Commissioner Katy Sorenson worried the county didn’t bargain hard enough while the deal was being negotiated.

“We can see clearly the Marlins have more to give and clearly have had more to give all along and it’s an example of why we can see this isn’t such a great deal for our constituents,” Sorenson said.

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When I wrote a story in March about how sports fans and teams were using Twitter to do everything from play-by-play to sharing promotion and ticket discounts, I included a reference to a friendly wager.

This was before Twitter essentially exploded – teams were just getting their feet wet using the social messaging system and fans were clamoring for them to keep up. Plantation marketing executive and Panthers fan John Sternal had put the Panthers logo on the line in a bet with a couple of Chicago Blackhawks fans. When the Panthers lost the matchup between the two teams, Sternal had to put the Blackhawks logo on his account the following day.

Avid tweeters, Sternal and Toby Srebnik, a sports fan from North Lauderdale and public relations executive, have now significantly upped the ante. Sternal, a Marlins fan, and Srebnik, a Tampa Bay Rays fan, have been betting the Marlins-Rays series this season. Of the two three-game series, the fan of the team that loses each series must post the rival team’s mascot on his Twitter page for the following workweek. The Rays won the first series in May, so Sternal had to post a photo of the Rays’ mascot Raymond as his avatar.

They’ve even named their bet #billyrayavatar – in Twitter parlance – after Billy the Marlin and Raymond.

They each began sporting their team’s mascot this week. And Srebnik is already ahead again with the Rays beating the Marlins 7-3 in St. Pete last night. They’ve been trash-talking much of the past few days. Follow their adventures at #billyrayavatar. Sternal is @SternalPR; Srebnik is @fsutoby.

And don’t forget to follow me @sarahtalalay

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It’s been a busy week of technical, banking and court issues related to the Marlins ballpark plan, but as of this afternoon, the ballpark project appears to be back on track.

At least in the eyes of Miami-Dade County officials, who made progress on two fronts today:

County commissioners signed off on some technical changes to the ballpark plan, including delaying the termination date for the ballpark deal until July 15, instead of July 1, with the expectation the bond sale will close by July 17. (Miami City Commissioners took similar action Thursday). And Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Lawrence Schwartz issued an opinion Friday afternoon, denying an injunction to prevent the sale of the bonds.

Miami activists Graciela Solares and Elvis Cruz filed the motion for the injunction against the county and city of Miami on Monday, to stop the planned sale of the bonds, which was scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday of this week. In February, Solares and Cruz filed suit aiming to halt the $515 million ballpark plan because they said it was negotiated behind closed doors in violation of the state’s public records laws.

As a result of Monday’s filing, Miami-Dade County officials chose to delay selling the bonds until June 29 and 30. The decision was made as a precaution, not because county officials believe the suit has merit. In fact, County Manager George Burgess called the suit “extremely frivolous” during a meeting of county commissioners Friday morning.

Solares and Cruz quickly filed notice they are appealing Schwartz’s decision.

But as of now, county officials intend to proceed with the bond sale and the Marlins are expecting work to begin at the former site of the Orange Bowl on July 1, with a ceremonial ground breaking for the 37,000-seat retractable roof ballpark scheduled on July 18.

Despite the roadblocks and technical changes, county officials say they are committed to the project.

“Our confidence in the project and its underlying funding plan has not changed,” Burgess wrote in a memo to commissioners in advance of Friday morning’s meeting.

The team, city and county set a termination date for the ballpark deal so that any side could pull out of the deal before bonds had been sold. County officials say they should know as of June 30 whether the bonds can be sold, with a closing expected by July 17.

“If we terminate, there will not be a ground breaking on the 18th," Burgess told commissioners Friday. “If we close between the 14th and 17th, then we have the ground breaking.”

> Discuss this entry

UPDATED
The Marlins have scheduled their ceremonial ground-breaking for Saturday, July 18 and the public’s invited.

That’s assuming, of course, that financing for the new ballpark can be secured, but officials are optimistic given the ratings the bonds received so far from the rating agencies last month.

Miami-Dade County officials were to begin selling the bonds Tuesday and Wednesday, but those dates have since been moved to June 17 and 18. Marlins President David Samson says the delay isn't cause for alarm.

"The ratings were positive," Samson said. "We’re confident there will be individual and institutional buyers for these bonds."

Assuming the bonds are sold, grading and site preparation are to begin July 1 at the former site of the Orange Bowl. Then the ceremonial ground-breaking will be held on July 18, complete with team, county, city and Major League Baseball officials, and, of course, those fancy shovels. Fans are invited, too.

"It’s going to be, and we try not to over use the word, but a historic day," Samson said Monday afternoon before the Marlins-San Francisco Giants game at Land Shark Stadium, where rain was threatening once again. "It’s a day we’ve all been working toward, seven years personally, and our organization for over 10 years."

Samson said team officials along with representatives of their architect and construction manager have been putting in long hours -- as much as 18 a day -- to prepare for the ballpark. He said on Monday, for example, the ballpark team worked on finalizing seat counts, including ensuring that no sections have rows with only one seat: "We don’t know of many people who would buy a season ticket of one," he said.

The team examined entrances and exits and the time it takes to get from section openings, known as vomitories, to seats, and the sightlines for fans when people are walking to and from vomitories. Then there is permitting for the 70 or so bid packages for construction; and for the 16 trailers that will be on-site during construction. The trailers have to be placed carefully to allow for the movement of trucks and cranes at the location, Samson said.

There was also a discussion, Samson said, of the actual ground-breaking event -- how to get power to the site and what kind of shovels to order. And yes, Samson said he feels enormous pressure.

"We cannot have a delay," Samson said. "We will not go over budget."

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The Marlins are giving “Dan Uggla head” banks to the first 5,000 kids attending Sunday’s game versus the San Francisco Giants at Land Shark Stadium.

Not a full body piggybank or even a bust. It’s a five-inch polyresin bank that resembles the second baseman’s head – complete with blue eyes and eye black. (Check out Sun Sentinel photographer Robert Duyos' photo of Uggla with his bank).

Outfielder Cody Ross got to smash one with a baseball bat during a promotional spot for the giveaway. He needed change for a soda.

“We had fun with it. We only did three or four takes, [but] I only got to smash the piggybank head once,” Ross said. “I thought I did a pretty good job with it.”

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Those ubiquitous red baseball caps with snippets of the American flag included in each MLB team’s logo (the Canadian flag was in the Toronto Blue Jays’ red caps) weren’t just worn during Monday’s games in honor of Memorial Day or to sell even more merchandise.

The New Era caps are part of a fundraising campaign for Welcome Back Veterans, a program that helps veterans returning from war with employment and mental health issues. The organization, launched last year and funded in a partnership of MLB, MLB Advanced Media (the sport's interactive arm), and the McCormick Foundation, provides grants to organizations that help veterans.

The Stars & Stripes cap program started last year with blue caps players wore on July 4 and Sept. 11. This year, Memorial Day was added and the red caps will also be worn on July 4 and Sept. 11. Major League Baseball is donating 100 percent of the proceeds from its portion of the caps to Welcome Back Veterans. MLB.com is donating $1 from the sale of each cap purchased through mlb.com to the organization. The caps are selling for $36.99 apiece.

Three-quarters of the number of caps sold last year have already been sold this year, an MLB spokesman said. Counting last year's and this year's sales, MLB is on pace to donate $1 million to Welcome Back Veterans.

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Miami-Dade County officials plan early next month to begin the sale of bonds backed by tourist tax dollars to pay for construction of the Marlins' new ballpark, after getting results from bond rating agencies.

According to a memo County Manager George Burgess sent county commissioners today, county officials got word late last week that the agencies -- Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s and Fitch Ratings –- “reaffirm the relative quality of investing in Miami-Dade County and the strength of its credit.” A news release issued by the county late today, said the agencies had “given the County solid marks, determining that our tourism sector is sound in the long run and bonds backed by tourist dollars are good investments.”

County officials had visited the agencies in late April, to make their case that tourist taxes are a strong source to repay the bonds needed to pay for the $515 million ballpark. The county’s case came in the midst of the recession, which has seen local hotel bed tax dollars plummet. County officials and ballpark supporters argue hotel taxes fluctuate and won’t always be in decline during the 40-year life of the ballpark agreement.

The agencies, Burgess’ memo says, are expected to announce their findings in their own press releases. The county’s own up-beat press release acknowledges that not all of the ratings have been determined.

I’m the first to admit this is not my area of expertise, but here’s part of what the statement says:

Standard and Poor’s assigned an “A+” to the Professional Sports Franchise Tax (PST) credit, affirmed the Convention Development Tax (CDT) credit an “A” and affirmed the County’s general obligation rating at “AA-”. Moody’s assigned an “A2” to the PST credit. A rating for the CDT financing is expected soon. Fitch Rating’s assigned an “A” with a stable outlook to both the PST credit and CDT credit. In addition, Fitch Rating’s reaffirmed the general obligation as well as the public service tax bond rating an “AA-”.

Both Burgess and County Mayor Carlos Alvarez complimented the county’s ratings results.

“We are pleased with the outcome,” Alvarez said in a statement. “The ratings are solid and demonstrate the County’s financial strength. An investment in Miami-Dade County is a quality investment.”

“The favorable ratings reinforce our commitment to acting responsibly and conservatively every step of the way as we push forward with a Marlins stadium paid for by tourist tax dollars,” Burgess said.

More later…

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While they play up opponents in order to boost ticket sales, the Marlins also try to have some fun at their opponents’ expense. For example, they’ve run ad campaigns that include putting salt in a Mets fan’s coffee cup or a fish in a Phillies fan's car.

And last season, the team launched its “Reason” in-game video series. It’s a series of video vignettes showing Marlins fans’ reasons for owning rival teams’ jerseys. Reason No. 21 to own a Mets jersey?: Doormat. Reason No. 77 for a Mets jersey?: Tissues. See video examples here.

Sean Flynn, Marlins vice president of marketing, says the feature has become so popular that fans have been submitting ideas. So the team has launched a “What’s Your Reason” video contest. Fans have until July 2 to submit their own video of up to 40 seconds, showing off their reason for owning a rival jersey and including a ticket sales pitch. The public will also get a chance to help choose the winning video when they are posted for an online vote July 13-28.

“We’re taking the in-game experience and giving folks an opportunity to participate,” Flynn said.

The grand prize winner, which will be announced Aug. 1, gets a package that includes a night at a Marlins game in a suite for up to 10 people and a Marlins jersey, natch, for the video creator.

Videos can be submitted online at marlins.com or by mail to “What’s Your Reason” Video Contest, Florida Marlins, 2267 Dan Marino Blvd., Miami, FL 33056. Find full contest rules here.

Flynn likens the idea to sports fans poking fun at each other at a bar.

“It’s all done with pride of the Marlins,” Flynn said. “It really stems from us trying to build up that loyalty and that association with South Florida’s home team.”

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Law enforcement officials gave tickets to students at North Miami Beach Senior High on Friday. But they were tickets – well, vouchers for tickets – to future Marlins games.

As part of the Marlins’ “Click It or Ticket” Days this weekend, representatives of the Florida Department of Transportation, North Miami Beach and Miami-Dade Schools police along with Billy the Marlin and the Marlins Mermaids rewarded students leaving campus with their seatbelts fastened with ticket vouchers. (See photos by the Marlins’ Robert Vigon).

On Saturday, Mr. Marlin Jeff Conine, crash test dummies Vince and Larry, FDOT and local law enforcement officials will be at Land Shark Stadium for the Marlins-Tampa Bay Rays game to continue promoting seatbelt safety. FDOT officials will hand out promotional items. Conine and Vince and Larry will meet with fans at the Gate H Strikezone before the 7:10 p.m. game.

The Click It or Ticket program promotes seatbelt safety. A new state law takes effect June 30 that allows law enforcement officers to stop and cite motorists who don’t buckle up as a primary offense. Currently, motorists can only be cited for not wearing their seatbelts if they are stopped for a different offense.

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Earlier this month, the Marlins installed flag poles on the dirt where the Orange Bowl used to stand to signify the location of the baseball diamond in the team’s new ballpark.

Three flags representing the Marlins, Miami-Dade County and city of Miami, are at home plate. First base features a flag for architect Populous (formerly HOK Sport); second base has the U.S. flag; and third base has a flag for Hunt/Moss – the joint venture construction manager for the ballpark.

Now, you cannot only get a glimpse of the flags, but you can watch the dirt at the location. Literally. The team has installed a webcam that will provide updated images from the site every 15 minutes. You can access the camera at the team's Web site. One has to hope this will become more exciting once ground is actually broken – expected sometime in July.

“This exciting, state-of-the-art technology allows us to share the historic construction of our new home with Marlins fans everywhere,” Marlins Senior Vice President of Ballpark Development Claude Delorme said in a statement. “Everyone can now follow the increased activity on the site as groundbreaking quickly approaches.”

For now, you can zoom in to see where the flags are placed and see the downtown Miami skyline, which is to be the view beyond the outfield in the $515 million, 37,000-seat, retractable-roof venue. You can even check out photos from the previous days by hour, but other than getting lighter or darker, there isn’t much that could be called activity yet. Update: no, it's not downtown - it's Coral Gables.

The ballpark is to have a southeast orientation, according to a release from the team, and be situated on land bordered by Northwest 6th Street on the north, Northwest 4th Street on the south, Northwest 16th Avenue to the west, and Northwest 14th Avenue to the east.

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Catching up from a couple of days away:

+ As you no doubt know, items from old Yankee Stadium are now up for auction through July 24. The auction includes 1,500 distinct pieces, ranging from stadium signs to the dugout bat holder to the actual seat Jeffrey Maier occupied during the 1996 playoffs. New pieces will be added each week. Visit auctions.steinersports.com to register and check for updates.

Other items for sale include 1 square foot pieces of live sod for $120; pairs of stadium seats from $1,499 to $1,999; and bricks from Monument Park in a glass case for $150.

+ And SI.com says South Florida is lucky enough to have two of its four pro team owners included among the worst five owners in the four major sports.

The Web site placed Panthers owner Alan Cohen as second worst among NHL team owners ahead of only MLSE (Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment) owner of the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Web site says Cohen hasn’t connected with fans and made the “wrong hire” with Jacques Martin.

Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria was ranked fourth worst among MLB owners. Baltimore Orioles owner Peter Angelos was worst, followed by Texas Rangers owner Tom Hicks, and Kansas City Royals owner David Glass. The Web site says Loria may have overseen a shocking 2003 World Series championship over the New York Yankees, but blames him for letting go of his young talent when it gets too expensive.

Do you agree with SI.com’s assessments?

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Wondering what those Q’s are in left field at Dolphin Stadium during Marlins games? No, they’re not some obscure translation of the K’s that represent strikeouts.

Marlins fans sitting in the power alley are keeping track of yet another baseball stat -- what’s being called “Quick Outs” – outs recorded in three pitches or fewer. Nancy Olson, executive director of the Marlins Community Foundation, who came up with the idea, has a group of loyal foundation volunteers putting up a white sign featuring a black ‘Q’ every time a Marlins’ pitcher records a quick out. There’s one teal sign that’s used to delineate when a relief pitcher comes into the game. (See photo by Kelly Gavin, courtesy of the Marlins). The radio and TV broadcasters are aware of it -- and even asked that the Q's be clumped in sets of three to make it easier to keep track of them, Olson said.

Olson was urged by her brother, who saw Q’s at Arizona Diamondbacks games, to adopt the idea as a fundraiser for the foundation. Olson is hoping to secure a corporate sponsor, which would get its name on the Q’s -- and she hopes make a donation to the foundation either on a per game or per Q basis.

The team has 20 Q’s, which is typically plenty for a game, but when Monday’s game against the Cincinnati Reds stretched to 14 innings, the supply just ran out, Olson said.

Perhaps a sponsor will help pay for more signs, too. Some ideas for potential sponsors? A couple of suggestions I’ve heard are Sir Speedy and Jiffy Lube.

But what about the Nasdaq-100, former title sponsor of the tennis tournament on Key Biscayne? The Nasdaq-100 is an exchange traded fund similar to a mutual fund, but trades like a stock. It holds shares of the 100 largest companies on the world’s largest electronic stock market. Its ticker symbol? QQQ.

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As part of Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig’s “Fan Initiative” aimed at providing ticket discounts and special offers, teams will give fans two free tickets to an upcoming game this season with the purchase of a replica jersey.

The Marlins launch the program starting at Monday’s game against the Cincinnati Reds at Dolphin Stadium. Majestic Athletic replica jerseys cost $99.99. With the purchase at the stadium or the Marlins En Miami store, fans will receive two tickets in the stadium’s Bullpen Box seats.

For more details on about Marlins and other teams’ special offers, check out the MLB’s Fan Value Corner.

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After getting an abbreviated overview of the architectural and transportation plans and with little discussion, Miami City Commissioners unanimously approved this afternoon the permit needed to begin construction of the Marlins’ ballpark in Little Havana. That’s right... a 5-0 vote for the Major Use Special Permit for the $515 million venue.

Earl Santee of Populous (formerly HOK Sport), Rolando Llanes of Civica and transportation consultant Cathy Sweetapple gave commissioners a sense of how the proposed ballpark will fit into the community, that it will be surrounded by parking, retail and as many as 96 residential units, and what kind of traffic it will bring. Santee spoke of how the ballpark will serve as a centerpiece for the Little Havana community and how it will connect the neighborhood. Its open views will allow people in the area to see into the venue at all times and the west plaza will serve as a public gathering place all year long.

“These projects are special and here in this city, this is a unique opportunity to create another special place,” Santee said. “The plan is to connect the neighborhood to a ballpark.”

Commission Chairman Joe Sanchez spoke most dramatically of wanting to ensure the ballpark includes some way to honor the history of its location at the Orange Bowl, where the Dolphins and Miami Hurricanes played and where President John F. Kennedy addressed Cuban refugees after the failed Bay of Pigs invasion in 1962.

“There needs to be a history component,” Sanchez said. “Every great stadium whether it’s for football, baseball or hockey has a historic element.”

Sanchez also stressed his interest in ensuring the ballpark stands as an icon that will be seen from nearby roadways.

“This will be one of the best stadiums designed in this great nation of ours,” said Sanchez, who is running for the mayor of Miami. “This is it … After this, it’s the construction.”

No word yet on when the team plans to host a formal unveiling of ballpark renderings, but it’s expected sometime next month. Ballpark construction is expected to begin in July with a planned opening in 2012.

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The Marlins are moving their Sept. 21 game against the Philadelphia Phillies to July 16 to accommodate a Dolphins-Colts Monday night game.

No such moves are being made to accommodate one of two Dolphins Draft parties scheduled Saturday afternoon. The Dolphins are holding draft parties from 4-8 p.m. Saturday at CityPlace in West Palm Beach and at Dolphin Stadium.

Meanwhile, the Marlins host their second “Super Saturday” of the season against the Philadelphia Phillies with the game starting at 7:10 p.m. Saturday at Dolphin Stadium followed by a post-game fireworks and a concert by Albita.

So, how will the stadium accommodate both events at once – something officials believe is a first? Dolphins Enterprises spokesman George Torres calls it “pretty straightforward.”

Torres said signs will direct fans attending the free Dolphins draft party at the stadium to enter the stadium grounds at Gates 1 and 7, and the stadium at Gate C – on the venue’s north side. The party, which is to feature players, alumni and cheerleaders, will be held on the stadium’s club level. Marlins fans, who are charged $10 for parking, enter at other stadium grounds gates and enter the venue on its south side.

The Dolphins’ first pick of the draft is No. 25 in the first round, meaning it will come late during the draft party. Torres said there will also be tables set up at the draft party where Marlins game tickets will be sold, should Dolphins fans want to stay for that night’s Marlins matchup.

“They can stick around and enjoy good baseball,” Torres said, but he added doors to the baseball side of the stadium will be off-limits, unless fans have tickets to the Marlins game.

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OK, these aren't new -- they're just some of the renderings that have been included in a presentation made to the Miami Planning Advisory Board earlier this month. The board voted April 1 to recommend a Major Use Special Permit for the ballpark. That's the permit that's needed to begin construction.

The Miami City Commission is to consider the permit at its meeting on April 23.

Here's a selection of photos from the presentation by Populous (formerly HOK Sport). The first one at the top shows what the view of downtown Miami should be from inside the $515 million venue planned at the former site of the Orange Bowl.

Get a sense of the vast west plaza with its reflecting pool and plenty of room for community gatherings. See how when the roof is open it will park over the western plaza to provide shade.

The surrounding parking garages will have retail on the ground floor.

The two at the bottom this entry show how the roof will look open and closed.

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UPDATED
My mother still gets emotional when she remembers how Sandy Koufax chose not to pitch the first game of the World Series in 1965 because it fell on Yom Kippur.

An old friend gave me a baseball with a photo of Shawn Green on it that has a place of prominence on my desk.

And determining if there are enough Jewish players in the Major Leagues to form a minyan (maybe if you reach down into the minors) is something akin to a parlor game.

Well, apparently there have been enough Jews in the Major Leagues for a fifth edition of “Jewish Major Leaguers” baseball cards, which Upper Deck is to begin shipping next week. The 2009 edition of 50 cards purports to include all Jews in the majors in 2008, including Milwaukee Brewers left fielder and former Hurricane Ryan Braun; Scott Schoeneweis; Gabe Kapler; Brad Ausmus; Ian Kinsler; and Kevin Youkilis (who knew?). Actually, as it turns out, lots of people knew -- check out Denis Leary discussing Youkilis' faith a few years ago here.

The set also includes “a newly-discovered player from the past,” according to a release: Bill Hurst, who was born in Miami Beach and pitched in two games for the Marlins in 1996. The set includes three former team owners – Andrew Freedman of the New York Giants (1895-1902); Julius Fleischman of the Cincinnati Reds (1902-1925) and Judge Emil Fuchs of the Boston Braves (1923-1935). Also in the set: Jerome Holtzman, MLB’s official historian, who died last year.

Jewish Major Leaguers is selling 3,000 of the sets for $36 apiece plus $3 for shipping. Find out more at jewishmajorleaguers.org.

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AmericanAirlines Arena is bathed in green for tonight’s Heat-New Orleans Hornets game, in honor of the venue receiving LEED (which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

The coveted designation was bestowed upon the Miami venue and Philips Arena, home of the Atlanta Hawks and Thrashers, this week. Heat and Miami officials announced AmericanAirlines Arena’s “green” stamp of approval Tuesday morning. My colleague Doreen Hemlock, who covers “green” business, was there to capture the sentiment.

Among the green features at the arena are its roof paints and sealants that reflect the sun, instead of absorbing heat; drought-resistant plants and irrigation system; and its purchase of chilled water from a nearby plant for more than $100,000 a month rather than building a water plant that would have cost about $30 million and requires high energy to operate.

Eric Woolworth, Heat president of business operations, said the decision to seek LEED certification was "strategic" to differentiate the arena from others and boost business.

"This is a really challenging time to attract sponsors, and this is one way to separate ourselves from the pack," he said, noting that Waste Management already has signed up as a partner in a multi-year deal. "And hopefully, it will attract entertainers and acts that want to play green venues and visitors who want to support green venues."

Costs for certification were minimal, because nearly all paperwork was handled in-house and few improvements were needed to qualify, said Kim Stone, the arena's general manager. The nearly 10-year-old building already boasted many of the electricity- and water-saving features to earn the certification, such as underground parking that produces less heat than above-ground asphalt lots.

Green has now reached the consciousness of sports teams and leagues. BankAtlantic Center has adopted environmental measures, and has explored LEED certification, but it not pursuing it at this time. The Sunrise venue that is home to the Panthers uses green cleaning products, recycles everything from cardboard to light bulbs to cell phones and is considering adding solar panels on the venue’s roof, arena officials said.

And Silver LEED certification is a requirement of the Marlins’ planned $515 million ballpark in Little Havana. Miami-Dade County and the city of Miami have agreed to contribute up to $1.75 million each toward the certification; with Major League Baseball pledging $1 million to the cost. The team would pick up any additional costs. The ballpark would become the second silver LEED certified building in the league, after the Washington Nationals’ ballpark.

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Miami-Dade County Commissioners approved issuing as much as $563 million in bonds Tuesday to cover the cost of construction of the Marlins’ $515 million ballpark in Little Havana, but not before opponents got another chance to question the financing plan.

Commissioners voted 8-4 with Katy Sorenson, Carlos Gimenez, Sally Heyman and Joe Martinez voting no, just as they did for the ballpark financing plan on March 23. Opponents raised concerns about everything from the size of the bond issues being larger than authorized in the financing plan to having to tap the county’s general fund, if hotel bed taxes are not enough to cover the bond payments.

The team, city or county can still back out of the ballpark agreement by July 1.

Heyman worried about the county’s $4 million exposure if the deal is terminated by June 1 or $7 million if it’s done by July 1. She also wondered how much more the county will have to pay if its bond rating leads to a higher interest rate on the bonds.

“If the rate changes a half a percent, what is that going to cost us on a half a billion dollar series?” Heyman asked. “And then one percent?”

The commission was told the interest rates would be capped at 7.5 percent for non-taxable bonds backed by hotel bed taxes and 6.5 percent for the $50 million general obligation bond. They were also told an extra .01 percent could cost as much as $25 million more.

Martinez and Gimenez raised concerns again about the county using its general fund revenue as a secondary pledge to repay the bonds.

“If you don’t have it, you may have to go to your secondary pledge,” Martinez said. “I’m not opposed to the construction of it, I’m not sure anyone here wants to lose the Marlins, especially if yesterday’s game is an indication of a really good season.”

The Marlins beat the Washington Nationals 12-6 in their home opener at Dolphin Stadium Monday.

What concerns Martinez is the method of financing. “The economy is not what it was. Tourism has slid down quite a bit, the possibility exists,” he said.

County Manager George Burgess, who plans to go to credit agencies this month, said he believes the financing plan is responsible, but the county won’t know what kind of bond rating it will receive until it goes to the market.

“This is not an easy decision and nobody can guarantee anything,” he said.

Gimenez said, “It’s a risk I’m not willing to take. I don’t think it’s prudent for us to proceed with such a volatile funding source.”

Burgess said the team, city and county built in the July 1 termination date as a precaution. He said it was set then in order to ensure enough time for construction of the ballpark, scheduled to open in 2012.

“It allowed us the opportunity to see how the market responds, which is the essential,” Burgess said. “We won’t know until we go to market, and it gives us the opportunity to see more on bed tax performance ... We felt having that safety valve was wise.”

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There are 243 home games until the Marlins’ new ballpark is scheduled to open in Little Havana in 2012. So at Monday’s home opener against the Washington Nationals at Dolphin Stadium, the team launched a new scoreboard feature: fun facts about the ballpark.

According to Marlins President David Samson there will be 243 of them – one unveiled at each home game during the next three seasons.

The first one?: The “ballpark retractable roof consists of 8,300 tons of steel, which is the exact weight of the Eiffel Tower!”

The ballpark is already part of the fabric at Dolphin Stadium. The team showed a video on the scoreboard with renderings by architecture firm Populous, the new name for architecture firm HOK Sport.

And the left field wall, which for the past five and half seasons has been covered by a giant Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida advertisement, is now back in Marlins’ hands. The tribe didn’t renew and now the team is using the wall to advertise its Super Saturday concerts; inaugural season in 1993; two World Series championships in 1997 and 2003; and projected 2012 ballpark opening. But Samson’s favorite part is the ballpark rendering and the words “Priority Seating for the New Marlins Ballpark @ Marlins.com."

“I’ve been waiting for six years to get the ballpark seating priority,” Samson said. “It’s been my dream, from the beginning. Reflecting the history was always something we’ve tried to do, this is the year we were able to do it.”

Samson said if the team received “an offer we can’t refuse,” he could see giving over advertising space, but he said the new ballpark seating reference is more valuable.

“The benefits we can derive, by having people buy tickets, priority in the new ballpark, is far greater than what we can get for an outfield wall,” he said.

Samson said the team has already created some 60 committees to consider all aspects of the new venue from naming rights to ticket prices to concession equipment storage areas to marketing.

For the first time since buying the team in 2002, Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria faced an Opening Day without questions about getting ballpark financing. Loria said he’s thrilled at thinking of ways to program the new ballpark.

“It’ll be a destination. It’s going to be a beautiful piece of contemporary architecture, and there will be a lot of special things there for fans,” Loria said. “It will be a place where you know the game will be played, you won’t have any inconveniences. There will be air conditioning, so in more ways than one we’re looking at a ballpark that’s the coolest place in town.”

In the meantime, Loria hopes to keep his team competitive and to attract more fans to Dolphin Stadium.

“It may not be the ideal place, but it’s where we are,” he said. “We’re going to deal with it over the next three seasons, but at least we know the rainbow is in front of us. More than a light at the end of the tunnel, we have the rainbow, which I’m excited about. To me, to be able to watch this ballpark grow is what drives me.”

He said he wants to send a message to fans that with ballpark financing approved and ground breaking planned for this summer, the team will be in South Florida for generations.

“It’s OK for them to fall in love with your team, it’s going to be here,” he said before his Marlins opened the season with a 12-6 win over the Washington Nationals. “It’s time to make a commitment and fall in love permanently, we have a terrific baseball team.”

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The Marlins are certainly going to be considered to host World Baseball Classic games in 2013, in a new ballpark, Major League Baseball President Bob DuPuy said Monday during the Marlins opener against the Washington Nationals.

In town in part to thank local politicians -- several of whom attended the team's opener at Dolphin Stadium -- for approving the ballpark financing last month, DuPuy said MLB was impressed with the Marlins’ hosting of second round WBC games last month.

“The enthusiasm shown for the Venezuelan and Puerto Rican teams in the WBC was very encouraging. Clearly the market responded to those clubs and we would explore hosting a round in a new ballpark when it’s built,” DuPuy said. “Obviously for an event like the WBC, having a 60,000-seat facility is too massive.”

But DuPuy pointed out the more than 30,000 that attended the U.S.-Puerto Rico game last month, would have fit well in the team's planned 37,000-seat ballpark in Little Havana

“They’d be considered for any of the rounds,” DuPuy said of the Marlins in a new ballpark.

But a Finals in Miami raises some prickly questions. How would South Florida fans respond to a Finals like this year’s at Dodger Stadium that pitted Japan and Korea? Los Angeles has a large Asian population, but South Florida doesn’t. Could Miami host a Finals that included the Cuban team with so much anti-Castro sentiment locally? With the Obama administration looking to ease some travel restrictions to Cuba, maybe that won’t be an issue by the time a new ballpark opens.

Meanwhile, DuPuy reiterated that a new ballpark should also mean an MLB All-Star game in the Marlins’ future. This year’s is scheduled in St. Louis, followed by the 2010 game in Anaheim.

“The commissioner has made it a practice and a goal to award communities that build ballparks to showcase new ballparks and clearly the fact the Marlins are going to have a new ballpark, and that they lost an All-Star Game, will no doubt be strong considerations in awarding future All-Star Games,” he said.

DuPuy wouldn’t suggest a date for the Marlins to host one.

“For one thing," DuPuy said, "we haven’t broken ground yet.”

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Michigan State and North Carolina will close out the 2009 NCAA tournament with the title game in Detroit tonight. But the question remains, will South Florida host a portion of the tournament again?

Despite crowds that barely broke 10,000 at 20,000-seat AmericanAirlines Arena for the March 20 and 22 first and second round games last month, South Florida officials hope to bring men’s college basketball tournament games back. Bid specifications for the first and second rounds and regionals for 2011, 2012 and 2013 are to go out shortly, NCAA officials say.

“Most certainly,” Pete Garcia, athletic director at host school FIU, said of bidding again, “because it’s not just good only for FIU, but it’s good for the entire basketball community in South Florida.”

But it wasn’t lost on the hosts that the colleges assigned to AmericanAirlines Arena held scant attraction for South Floridians, who aren’t hugely supportive of college basketball to begin with.

“You worry about the things you control, what we couldn’t control was the matchups,” Garcia said. “We did the best with the teams that got awarded to us, it’s nobody’s fault. Team like Florida didn’t get to the NCAA tournament.”

Mike Sophia, executive director of the Miami-Dade Sports Commission, said he was disappointed with ticket sales, but understood the matchups weren’t a draw.

“This year, we had first and second round and you wound up with the eight teams that may or may not sort of fit,” Sophia said. “I think Syracuse was an interesting team for us, a Big East team for us, but the rest of the group, was certainly strange.”

South Florida also lost out on the destination factor with two teams from warm weather Arizona.

“I just think now, we’ve got to look at it and I think they [the NCAA] should look at trying to make sure all the sites have some sort of geographical or national attractiveness to the teams that are playing at each site,” Sophia said.

As a result, Sophia said the host group will look at whether to apply for first and second round games (like those it hosted last month) or a regional (Sweet 16 and Elite 8), or both.

Jeanne Boyd, NCAA director of Division I Men’s Basketball, praised the hosting of the games at AmericanAirlines Arena and said a host of factors are considered for hosting in the future.

“They’ve done a very good job, the building has been very responsive,” she said.

Boyd said a thorough evaluation of everything from the experience at the arena to hotels will be taken into consideration, as well feedback from the hosts, the schools and others.

Meanwhile, the World Baseball Classic second round games at Dolphin Stadium last month didn’t draw as well as hosts had hoped – in part because the Netherlands were among the four teams, rather than the Dominican Republic. But officials were pleased with the turnout and are planning to bid for games in the next WBC in 2013, perhaps even the Finals. The Marlins hope to be hosting games in a new ballpark in Little Havana, scheduled to open in 2012.

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So, with financing approved, the Marlins ballpark project has now moved to the next stage – permitting, issuing bonds, examining and tweaking blueprints. On Wednesday, Miami’s Planning Advisory Board considered the ballpark plans for a Major Use Special Permit. That’s the permit that’s needed to get the ballpark constructed.

Since the $515 million ballpark and $94 million in parking spaces are planned for the former site of the Orange Bowl, the process is simpler than if it were planned for a site that had never housed a stadium.

Planning Advisory Board members heard from representatives of stadium architect HOK Sport (the company was renamed Populous this week, but apparently the change hasn’t yet occurred in Florida), and a transportation planner. They got an overview of how the ballpark is meant to fit into the surrounding Little Havana community, some of its unique features and key details about getting to and parking at the ballpark.

The architects said they view the ballpark as a “piece of art,” or “a sculpture” in an urban neighborhood. The ballpark will be “facing toward the city of Miami skyline to really place the building in the city of Miami,” said Greg Sherlock, HOK Sport principal. The way it’s designed, the outfield frames downtown Miami.

The roof is created in three panels that stack over the grand west plaza, a vast area with a reflecting pool that will become the focal point, not only for entry to the stadium, but also for pre- and post-game activities, and community events and gatherings.

“It’s a Kodak moment, where people want to enter the building,” Sherlock said.

Four mixed use garages with retail on the first floor are to flank the ballpark -- two on the north and two on the south. They are to feature wide – 15- to 21-foot – sidewalks alongside them. The idea is to make the ballpark pedestrian-friendly and a good fit within the neighborhood. Three surface lots each are planned on the east and west sides of the ballpark. There are also plans for residential units and a mix of landscaping with palms and shade trees.

Two Metrorail stations are within a mile of the stadium. Officials are exploring using water taxis on the Miami River as a method of reaching the ballpark.

Planning Advisory Board members raised minor concerns about ensuring enough recreational space for the public and about the type of landscaping. Board member Paul Mann questioned the financing of the deal, worrying that it puts the city’s general fund at risk.

“It makes me very uncomfortable that the negotiators on the city side did not protect the general fund,” Mann said. “We can build the stadium and hope everything works fine, but ultimately it’s the city of Miami’s general fund at stake here.”

But Mann and other board members were reminded their role was to consider the details of the ballpark’s blueprint, not the financing, which had already been debated by the city commission.

The board voted 6-1, with Mann dissenting, to recommend the permit for the ballpark’s construction.

Miami City Commissioners are to consider the permit later this month. Miami-Dad County Commissioners are to consider the documents to issue more than $300 million in bonds for ballpark construction at their meeting on Tuesday.

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The IMG World Congress of Sports, held in Miami for the first time this year, got underway Wednesday morning with a panel discussion on the impact of the economy on professional sports. Sports leaders from NASCAR CEO Brian France to NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman to retired Heat player Alonzo Mourning talked about belt-tightening, changing the way teams and corporations do business and cutting ticket prices to fill stadiums and arenas.

Tim Leiweke, president and CEO of AEG, the sports and entertainment giant that includes Staples Center and the Los Angeles Kings, warned that it’s a difficult time to be getting financing for venues.

But after the panel discussion, Leiweke said he’s convinced sports venues are the right kinds of projects for investment these days. He described the Marlins’ odyssey in getting financing for a new ballpark, as “unbelievable perseverance.” Miami-Dade County Commissioners are to consider the documents to issue more than $300 million in bonds for the project at a meeting Tuesday.

“The banks are going to come out. At some point or other they’ll stick their head out of the sand and begin to understand it’s OK to do business again,” Leiweke said. “They’re going to be looking for things that are predictable, and they’re going to be looking in particular for things that create huge economic impact. And what I can attest to, when we built facilities, Staples center in LA or the 02 in London, the economic impact of those facilities is greater than just about any project I can imagine that we use to resuscitate an economy and create jobs.”

Leiweke has overseen development of L.A. Live, a mixed use sports and entertainment complex that surrounds Staples Center.

“And so, the stadium and in particular the public risk of the bonds, I think is as good an investment as you can make to try to jump-start an economy. I get highways and I clearly get schools, but I also think there has to be a mix of about trying to find things that have the greatest multiplier within the economy,” he said. “And these sports facilities, despite these professors that want to come out of their classrooms and argue against it, you go look at L.A. Live and the $2.5 billion that has been invested around that district and you tell me Staples Center wasn’t one of the greatest economic engines in the history of downtown Los Angeles and I think so too shall be the Florida Marlins stadium.”

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So, with Miami and Miami-Dade County approvals now in hand, the Marlins finally believe they’ll be able to break ground for their new ballpark perhaps as soon as July. That is if the bonds can get sold and barring any other legal or governmental obstacle.

If the ballpark does get built at the former site of the Orange Bowl in Little Havana, will you go? I’ve heard from numerous Marlins fans in Broward and Palm Beach counties that they’ll still follow the team, but they won’t travel to Little Havana. Not at all? Never?

My colleague Mike Mayo wrote a column today, expressing the sentiments of many these days: he’ll wave from his couch. This isn’t just how people are feeling about baseball, but about sports in general. I’ve written about people finding the increase in ticket prices combined with the drop in prices for HD and big screen TVs makes staying at home a more inviting option. Add in the recession and layoffs and it’s no wonder teams are freezing and reducing ticket prices and offering special promotions to get fans in the door.

Have you stopped going to sporting events? Do you miss them?

Also, I'm taking suggestions for update numbers, if you want to weigh in. It was suggested after last night's county commission vote that I start again at 1, since the project has now been approved. Today's figure is the combined proposed cost of the $515 million stadium, $94 million in parking lots and $24 million in street and sewer work. (The figures don't always have a meaning, in case you were wondering). Let me know what you think.

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Ballpark supporters were all smiles after Miami-Dade County Commissioners voted 9-4 late last night to finance a $515 million ballpark and $94 million in parking lots at the former site of the Orange Bowl.

It wasn’t easy getting there – it took more than nine hours of debate among commissioners and testimony from nearly 80 members of the public. That on top of the numerous years, countless stadium plans and dozens of commission votes.

But the approval, which wasn’t assured even as recently as last week, was all but sewn up Monday, when County Commission Chairman Dennis made it clear he wouldn’t allow any alterations to the deal other than those deemed “friendly” by stadium supporter Commissioner Bruno Barreiro. Supporters clearly didn’t want any changes made that would sink the deal or require it go back for another vote to the Miami City Commission, which approved the plan in a 3-2 vote last week.

With Commissioner Javier Souto on the yes side of the ledger, supporters knew they had the deal approved. That didn’t stop opponents from proposing a number of amendments – many of which Barreiro didn’t even hesitate to reject – aimed at improving the deal for the public.

Moss had outlined the guidelines for the meeting, which also required everyone to ask questions and give answers through him, since he serves as commission chairman, leading to some giddy moments, when commissioners forgot or emphasized the words “through the chair…” before asking a question.

But even long-time stadium supporter Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz acknowledged the county didn’t get everything it needed or wanted in the deal.

“It is not a perfect deal,” Diaz said. “I see more positives than I see negatives with this deal. I will tell you straight out that it will create jobs.”

Commissioner Joe Martinez tried to put a stop to all the talk of the ballpark making Miami a “world class city.” He said it doesn’t make the city world class, it just gives residents more entertainment options.

Long-time stadium critic Katy Sorenson, who opposes public financing for a private enterprise, even offered a tongue in cheek “friendly amendment” suggesting the ballpark be named for Barreiro. Sorenson outlined a number of areas where she thought the public was being taken, including that it loses out on property tax dollars from the stadium land and with the Marlins receiving all the naming rights revenues in a new stadium, that means the team isn’t really contributing to cost of the stadium.

“Not withstanding that my great grandparents got engaged at a Cubs game in the late 1880s,” Sorenson said, “people know where I stand on this issue. I don’t think public money should be used for a private for-profit corporation.”

She added, “When you’re fundamentally opposed to something, it’s hard to propose amendments. It’s kind of like putting lipstick on … a fish.”

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Miami-Dade County Commission Chairman Dennis Moss has just closed the public hearing portion of the meeting.

Nearly 80 people weighed in both for and against the stadium. Just as they did at the city, members of the public framed the discussion as one of creating much-needed jobs and keeping baseball in South Florida versus spending tax dollars on a private enterprise, particularly with no guarantee there will be enough bed tax to cover the project.

The public has jammed the commission chambers and another 60 or so spectators couldn’t even fit inside and instead were moved to the county hall lobby to watch the video feed.

Debate got feisty about halfway through the public hearing, when Reginald Munnings, representing a number of community organizations, reminded commissioners the now-demolished Miami Arena was supposed to bring jobs.

“There’s nothing wrong with saving until you can find a better way to spend it,” he said. “Financial resources should not be used to bail out a private enterprise.”

Munnings walked away with representatives of the Miami Workers Center and others who began shouting “Real jobs now,” and “Shut the stadium down.”

Moss told the group to settle down and ordered the group escorted out of the commission chambers not to return.

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I’m not the only one who thinks we could be at the Miami-Dade County government center for three days, given how many people are here to speak about the Marlins ballpark issue. Even County Commission Chairman Dennis Moss as he explained the guidelines for the afternoon’s meeting, said somewhat warily: “Hopefully, at some point today we’ll be able to adjourn.”

A group of at least 50 people representing union carpenters crowded outside county hall. They held up signs reading: “We are here, we are ready, we’ll work,” “Unemployed voter,” “Go Marlins, Vote Yes,” and ones in Spanish that read “Stadium equals Jobs,” and “Build the Stadium.” The group cheered loudly, singing and raising their fists in the air.

Meanwhile, members of Coalition Against Marlins Bailout, lined up in the lobby of the government center, waiting to enter the commission chambers. They are wearing shirts representing their workers and community organizations and little signs reading “No Marlins Bailout.” The coalition is concerned about the type of jobs the deal will provide and that the deal is unfair to citizens.

“Unfortunately, we’re not going to be allowed to vote on this deal,” said Michael Burnstine, coalition co-founder.

So, far 18 people have spoken with support running two to one in favor of the stadium, but there are many more people scheduled to speak.

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What’s meant to be the FINAL ballpark vote looms this afternoon at the Miami-Dade County Commission. It’s sounding as if there may be the nine votes needed to pass the plan for a $515 million ballpark and $94 million in parking lots.

With the Miami City Commission’s 3-2 approval Thursday, the plan is expected to get a thorough debate at the Stephen P. Clarke Center at 1 p.m. The five ballpark agreements and accompanying elements, which include waiving competitive bidding requirements to allow stadium construction manager Hunt-Moss to also oversee the adjacent street and sewer work, will be presented to commissioners as one resolution that needs approval of nine of 13 commissioners.

It’s possible the agreements and the bid waivers could be considered individually, if commissioners want to separate them. If that occurs, here’s how the breakdown on what votes would be needed for passage:

The parking, assurance and non-relocation agreements each need a simple majority – or a total of seven votes if all 13 members are present. The construction administration agreement, which spells out the financing, has three elements that need a larger vote. The bid waiver for the infrastructure work needs nine votes and the ones that allow the Marlins Stadium Developer LLC to act as stadium developer and provide a sales tax exemption on construction materials each need a two-thirds vote of the members present. Finally, the waiver allowing Marlins Stadium Operator LLC to be the ballpark’s operator, which is included in the operating agreement, also requires a two-thirds vote of the members present.

Yes, I know, we’re in the weeds here, but that’s partly what these updates are for – so you can keep score.

Which reminds me, here’s some more clarification on the amendments the Marlins agreed to before the city vote:

+ Increased the percentage of profits Miami and Miami-Dade County would share, should the team be sold within 10 years of the ballpark agreement being forged to 70 percent in the first year; 60 percent in the second; 50 percent in the third; 30 percent in the fourth; 10 percent in the fifth; 7.5 percent in the sixth; and then 5 percent in each of the remaining four years.

+ Agreed to contribute $500,000 annually to charities that include youth and community programs, with $100,000 going to the Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade County and $25,000 to the City Heart of Our Parks Fund annually during the first seven and a half years of the deal.

+ Agreed to build or improve 39 baseball fields in the county, including two in each city commissioner’s district.

+ Amended the termination clause to allow any party to end the deal by July 1 or before the county completes the bond sale for the stadium, whichever is earlier.

Expect a long afternoon. County commissioners haven't given the stadium a thorough vetting for a year. Commissioners Carlos Gimenez and Sally Heyman have lots of concerns and are likely to vote no. Commissioner Joe Martinez also has questions. Expect to hear the stadium plan mortgages the county’s future, and relies on bed taxes the county isn’t sure will be generated and on general fund revenue as secondary pledge for bond repayment if the bed tax money runs short. Commissioners are also likely to express concern the plan gives too much to a private business and not enough back to the public.

City Commissioner Marc Sarnoff, who voted against the financing plan Thursday, said county commissioners should think carefully before they vote.

“I’m hoping the county commissioners take a sobering look at what the true income stream of the bed taxes are right now, it’s 22 percent down,” Sarnoff said.

After the city vote, Marlins officials likened their situation to winning Game 6 and awaiting Monday’s Game 7. Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria sounded hopeful.

“It’s a very important thing to happen, and as we look back years from now we’ll realize how good this decision was today,” he said.

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After hearing from more than 70 stadium supporters and opponents and debating the project thoroughly, Miami City Commissioners voted 3-2 to finance a new ballpark for the Marlins.

The vote came a month after commissioners deadlocked 2-2 on the project when Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones was on maternity leave. Spence-Jones provided the deciding third vote, joining stadium supporters Commission Chairman Joe Sanchez and Commissioner Angel Gonzalez.

Before voting on the plan, Spence-Jones spent considerable time going over everything from the percentage of stadium construction jobs promised to Miami-Dade County residents and concerns that Overtown get its promised aid for development and improvements.

Commissioner Marc Sarnoff worried about the current 22 percent decline in bed tax dollars collections and cost overruns.

Miami Commissioner Tomas Regalado voted against the deal because he said the city was not benefiting from it.

“We should do a stadium. We should have the team play in Miami, but we should get something for the city of Miami, we don’t have enough,” Regalado said. “We have done everything, we have given away everything and been given nothing in return.”

In the month since the project stalled, the Marlins agreed to changes, including providing higher percentages of the profits, should the team be sold within 10 years. Instead of 18 percent in the first year, the team agreed to 70 percent, followed by 60 percent in the second year on down to 5 percent. The team has also agreed to contribute $500,000 a year for youth and community baseball programs and to build or improve 39 baseball fields in the county.

The deal was also changed so that it scan still be terminated either by July 1 or by the time the county completes the bond sale for the stadium, whichever is earlier.

The deal, which relies on $310 million from hotel bed tax dollars and a $50 million general obligation bond, now moves to the Miami-Dade County Commission, which is scheduled to consider it at its 1 p.m. meeting on Monday.

The city vote came in a packed commission chambers, where speakers kept lining up to be heard. Residents alternately spoke of their desire to see the stadium built so it creates needed construction jobs, and to see the project stopped because it’s a waste of tax dollars that could be spent on other tourism projects and will create only temporary jobs.

“I’m unemployed, been unemployed for the last six months. I’m living off my credit cards,” said Greg Mikenas, a carpenter from Lake Worth. “I’m not here to ask for a bailout, I’m here to ask for a job.”

Michael Burnstine, co-founder of the Coalition Against Marlins Bailout, said he enjoys going to Marlin
s games, but the ballpark agreement favors the Marlins at the expense of taxpayers.

“It’s an egregious onerous business deal,” Burnstine said.

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The number of speakers has now reached 70 with a few more to go. The sentiment is on both sides of the stadium deal, although if we’re keeping score, it looks like there might be slightly more supporters, but it’s not an overwhelming majority.

Supporters are mainly speaking in support of the jobs they expect the stadium’s construction to create. They include union officials, out-of-work carpenters, and business leaders. There have been fans of the team expressing their support for the extra benefits the team brings to the community, such as its support of community programs.

One union worker quoted Shakespeare, saying “Shakespeare said the world is a comedy to those who feel but a tragedy to those who think.” He asked the commission “to feel” and vote for the stadium.

Barry Johnson of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce followed in support of the ballpark, saying he couldn’t quote Shakespeare, but slightly butchered Mick Jagger with “Sometimes you can’t get what you want, sometimes you get what you need.”

Opponents are adamant the deal is a waste of taxpayer dollars, even though they know the hotel bed tax dollars planned for the stadium can only be used for tourism-related projects. They believe there are better projects that can be funded with the money – convention center improvements, for example. They say the jobs will be only temporary, and not the kind the community needs. They worry about there being enough hotel bed tax and tying up the dollars for generations.

“Stop this foul deal,” said Denise Perry, director of the Power U Center for Social Change in Miami. “This deal is not good for our community. This group of votes does not represent my community,” she said pointing at Marlins brass, including team owner Jeffrey Loria.

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Miami City Hall Is packed. Every seat is full and the crowd has spilled out of the commission chambers and almost outside the building.

The meeting has just now begun at 9:50 a.m. Miami City Manager Pete Hernandez is outlining the alterations that have been made to the $515 million ballpark deal and the agreement for $94 million in parking lots.

Among the changes: the Marlins agreed to provide higher percentages of the profits, should the team be sold within 10 years. Instead of 18 percent in the first year, the team agreed to 70 percent, followed by 60 percent in the second year on down to 5 percent.

The team has also agreed to contribute $500,000 a year for youth and community baseball programs and to build or improve 39 baseball fields in the county.

The deal was also changed so that it can still be terminated either by July 1 or by the time the county completes the bond sale for the stadium, whichever is earlier. The understanding is the deal would only be killed if something drastic happens, such as the county is unable to sell bonds for the project.

The deal also aims to ensure construction jobs for Miami-Dade County and city of Miami residents. The agreement says efforts will be made to try to include 50 percent of workers on the stadium be county residents, and 20 percent of those be from Miami.

The public hearing portion of the meeting is about to begin.

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A month after the Miami City Commission deadlocked on the Marlins ballpark deal, the scene outside Miami City Hall is much livelier. Supporters and opponents are surrounding the parking lot holding up opposing signs and trying to drown each other out.

A group of roughly 25 activists and community members representing a variety of organizations, calling themselves the Coalition Against Marlins Bailout, held up signs across from city hall reading “No Marlins Bailout,” “This Deal Stinks,” and “Pork in the hot dogs, OK. Pork to the Marlins, No.”

“Unfortunately the taxpayers are on the wrong side of this deal,” said Michael Burnstine, co-founder of the coalition.

The group also includes art collector and businessman Martin Margulies.

“It’s going to put the taxpayers in hock for the next 40 years,” Margulies said.

“Real Jobs, Strong Miami,” the group yelled.

Across the parking lot next to city hall a group of about 50 union carpenters held up a large Marlins sign and shouted that they want jobs now. The group is wearing stickers from Jobs with Justice saying “Public Good from Public Money.”

“We’re just looking for jobs,” said Greg Mikenas of Lake Worth. “Right now we’d be happy with any kind of jobs. I have a newborn, I need work.”

Inside, people crammed into the small commission chambers. The Marlins have been making adjustments to their deal for a $515 million ballpark and $94 million in parking lots to sweeten it for passage. Among the changes the team has agreed to is increasing the percentage of profit the city and county would receive if the team is sold within 10 years. Instead of 18 percent in the first year, the team would provide 70 percent; followed by 60 percent in the second year; 50 percent in the third year and successively less down to 5 percent.

Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria has said he does not plan to sell the team.

It’s almost 9:30 a.m. and the meeting has yet to start.

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The historic compact the Marlins struck with the NAACP and Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce on Friday to ensure 15 percent of stadium construction and operation contracts go to black-owned businesses was rescinded Tuesday.

The team, NAACP and chamber made the decision to kill the compact after Miami-Dade County attorneys warned the agreement could be unconstitutional and subject the county to lawsuits. Representatives of all three organizations said they were disappointed in the county’s interpretation. However, they did not want to interfere with passage of the ballpark plan.

“We carefully constructed this Compact so as not to violate any existing law,” Bishop Victor T. Curry, President, Miami-Dade County Chapter of the NAACP, said in a statement. “Any time one of our corporate citizens attempts to provide opportunities for all races in this County, I believe the County Attorney's Office should embrace the concept and not obstruct it. We had several attorneys research this issue, and they reached a different conclusion … I look forward to working with the Marlins without political interference to ensure that this community is a place where all people can prosper.”

“We have always believed, and continue to believe, that the Community Compact between three private parties does not conflict with Federal law,” Marlins President David Samson said in a statement. “However, at the urging of the County Attorney, we have agreed to rescind the Compact. The result of this action does not change our commitment to work with the NAACP, the Miami-Dade Chamber and other community organizations to ensure that the ballpark project provides a benefit to all members of our community.”

The Miami City Commission is to vote on the plan to finance the $515 million ballpark at the former site of the Orange Bowl at 9 a.m. Thursday. Miami-Dade County Commissioners are scheduled to consider the plan at 1 p.m. Monday.

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On Friday, the Marlins, NAACP and Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce signed a pact to ensure 15 percent of the construction and operations contracts on the new ballpark go to black-owned businesses. On Sunday, Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria said the timing for the stadium is perfect because of the jobs it will bring during the recession.

But on Monday, the ballpark project hit another snag. Miami-Dade County attorneys raised concerns that the pact over black-owned businesses could be unconstitutional and said they did not want county commissioners considering the deal with that provision. Team, NAACP and chamber officials worked Monday to modify the language of the deal to maintain its intent.

I'm told the issues should be worked out, but they provided another obstacle as the team and Major League Baseball officials continue lobbying Miami City and Miami-Dade County commissioners to support the ballpark deal. Marlins President David Samson said the meetings on the ballpark deal will go on as planned. The Miami City Commission meets to consider the deal at 9 a.m. Thursday; the county commission is scheduled to meet at 1 p.m. Monday.

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Exactly a month after the Marlins ballpark got caught in limbo when Miami City Commissioners deadlocked in a 2-2 vote on financing for the $515 million venue, the team forged a partnership aimed at helping to jumpstart the project.

The Marlins, the NAACP, and the Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce signed an agreement today to guarantee 15 percent of stadium construction and operation contracts go to black-owned businesses. The deal provides 15 percent of the team’s contribution to the stadium in construction contracts and 15 percent of its contracts for products and services used in the annual operation of the venue to those businesses.

“This is a great day for black business, not only in Miami, but nation-wide. It shows the strength of collaboration between the NAACP as an advocacy group and the chamber of commerce as an effective economic development organization,” Bill Diggs, President and CEO of the Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement. “This agreement creates a standard for partnerships and how they should work in the Black community across the country.”

"It's important to our organization as a good community partner to guarantee that black owned businesses contribute and share in the ballpark's success," Marlins President David Samson said in a statement. "We look forward to seeing the results of this partnership so that a broad range of people in Miami-Dade County can enjoy the many economic benefits that come from a construction project of this magnitude."

Meanwhile, earlier this week, the Miami City Commission, sitting as the Community Redevelopment Agency Board, agreed to expand the boundaries and extend the life of the Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA district to raise millions of dollars for city projects. The decision helps ensure dollars will be used to “eliminate slum and blight in Overtown/Park West,” according to a city press release.

Miami City Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones has been seeking additional dollars for her district, before agreeing to support the Marlins ballpark project. It was Spence-Jones’ absence – she was on maternity leave – from the Feb. 13 commission meeting that led to the 2-2 vote.

Miami City Commissioners are scheduled to vote on the ballpark financing plan on Thursday. Miami-Dade County Commissioners are to vote on the ballpark on March 23.

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When tourism officials and World Baseball Classic organizers spoke of Miami as a natural location for second round games in the Olympic-style baseball tournament, they weren't counting the Netherlands among the teams that would attract locals and international tourists to the games that start Saturday at Dolphin Stadium.

"The diversity of Miami corresponds very well to all these teams," Claude Delorme, a Marlins senior vice president who is coordinating the Classic, told me before the WBC started.

USA, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, even Canada, perhaps. But the Netherlands?

The Netherlands beat the heavily favored Dominican team -- whose roster read like an All-Star lineup, including David Ortiz, the Marlins' Hanley Ramirez, Jose Reyes, and Miguel Tejada -- last night for the second time in the WBC's first round. Last night's game qualified the Netherlands for a trip to Miami and sent the Dominicans home. The game, which the Netherlands won in the bottom of the 11th inning, is being re-aired this morning on the MLB Network.

The Netherlands joins the US, Puerto Rican and Venezuelan teams for the second round at Dolphin Stadium that includes six games starting Saturday and running through March 18. Tour operators in Venezuela had already purchased hundreds of strips of tickets for the games. Ticket sales should pick up now that the competing teams are known, but how much will the Dominican team not appearing hurt sales? Dominican fans at the Marlins-Dominican exhibition game in Jupiter last week were sure their team would be among those at Dolphin Stadium.

Anyone think there might be an A-Rod curse? The New Yankees haven't won a World Series since Alex Rodriguez has been on the team. Dominican fans told me Dominicans tore down posters of Rodriguez in their native country when he chose to play for the US in the inaugural WBC in 2006. This time he was to play for the Dominican team, but bowed out and had surgery on his hip this week.

Is the Netherlands knocking off the vaunted Dominicans one of those feel-good stories that fans like, even if organizers and broadcasters worry about ticket sales and viewership? Will you root for the underdog?

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It’s mostly sports fans who are using Twitter.com to update scores, pontificate about various players and plays and trash talk. Some are even “tweeting” live from games and placing friendly wagers. But teams and events are increasingly realizing they need to be tweeting, too.

My story today examines how teams and events are incorporating social messaging system, Twitter, which allows users to send and receive messages of up to 140 characters, into their media, marketing and promotions. Teams are posting news stories, updates, scores, ticket discounts, promotions and more.

Reach the Dolphins here; the Heat here. The Panthers are in the process of launching an account and the Marlins are in talks with Major League Baseball Advanced Media, which controls the league’s new media rights, about setting up an account.

Even Homestead-Miami Speedway just started using Twitter this month to post news, driver quotes and even responses to Speedway Motorsports CEO Bruton Smith’s diatribe against Homestead last week. Check out the speedway’s twitter page here.

Are you talking sports on Twitter? Live tweeting from games? Let me know....

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Now that the Miami City Commission is scheduled on March 19 to vote on the Marlins ballpark and related issues, the Miami-Dade County Commission will meet a few days later on March 23.

Last week, the county commission delayed its meeting indefinitely at the request of Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez, who decried the politics that had surfaced over the issue at the city. Alvarez requested the county commission delay its meeting until the city commission resolved its issues and voted on the ballpark.

The ballpark project has been stalled since the city commission deadlocked 2-2 on Feb. 13, when City Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones was absent on maternity leave. Commissioner Marc Sarnoff offered three amendments to the deal aimed at providing more protection for the city and county and the commission continued its meeting until this month. Since then Spence-Jones said she would attend the next meeting and has also asked for protections for her district.

Last week, the city commission scheduled its meeting for 9 a.m. March 19. The county commission will meet at 1 p.m. March 23.

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The Miami City Commission won’t vote this Friday on a new ballpark for the Marlins, but has again rescheduled its meeting – this time until March 19.

The new delay, which comes as tempers have flared between the city and Miami-Dade County over the ballpark issue, will allow city commissioners to consider the ballpark agreements and related issues, including waiving the competitive bidding requirements to allow the ballpark contractor to also conduct adjacent street and sewer work.

On Tuesday, the Miami-Dade County Commission, which had been scheduled to vote on the $515 million ballpark next Monday, agreed to delay its meeting indefinitely until the city commission considered the ballpark agreements and all related issues. The delay came at the request of Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez, who on Monday said the issue had become the subject of political grandstanding by some city commissioners.

The ballpark financing plan has been stalled since Feb. 13, when the city commission met to vote on the plan, but deadlocked 2-2 with Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones on maternity leave and Commissioner Marc Sarnoff making three new demands aimed at extracting more from the deal for the city and county. Rather than killing the ballpark deal, the commission chose to continue the meeting this month.

Since then, Spence-Jones has also asked for protections for her district, before agreeing to support the ballpark project.

The city commission will meet at 9 a.m. March 19 at Miami City Hall, 3500 Pan American Drive, Miami.

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New Dolphins owner Stephen Ross is giving a lot of thought to the ambience at Dolphin Stadium during Dolphin games next season.

“I’m very happy to be the new owner, hopefully you’ll see a lot of new things next year,” said Ross during an appearance to promote the Fin Cup, a new Pro-Am featuring current and former Dolphins players that took place Monday at the Honda Classic at PGA National. “I dream at night about things of how we can really increase the fan experience. And It’s a real privilege to do that.”

But Ross wasn’t giving any hints as to what changes or improvements he might make.

“It’s a little premature to talk about the things we’re planning,” he said, instead encouraging fans to attend games in 2009. “I just say come to the first games and I think you’ll see a little bit of a difference. I don’t want to really telegraph anything at this point, we’re working on it.”

Ross said the main reason fans attend is to see their team win, but he wants to make the game day experience an attraction as well.

“I think just making that experience a little better for the fans and a little more exciting, much like the Los Angeles Lakers, what they are. I think South Florida has a lot of opportunities to do things so I want to really increase that.”

Ross said he has turned for advice to former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue. The two know each other because Ross serves on the board of the Levin Institute, a school for global education and business, where Tagliabue serves as chairman. But Ross insisted Tagliabue will not join the Dolphins “executive ranks.”

“The opportunity I have to call upon him is something I would be a fool not to take advantage of,” Ross said.

And when it comes to his stadium’s other tenants, the Marlins and University of Miami football team, Ross is watching the Marlins ballpark proceedings. Ross seems to be indicating he’s willing to extend the Marlins’ lease beyond its 2010 expiration, but hopes the team is able to move into a new home in 2012.

“I’d like to believe 2011 will be their last year at the stadium,” Ross said.

> Discuss this entry

With just a few days until the Miami City Commission is to vote on the Marlins ballpark agreements, things got ugly today.

After Miami City Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones released on Friday a list of demands to protect her district before she’d support the ballpark, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez held a press conference Monday afternoon decrying the politics that have consumed the ballpark issue since Feb. 13. That’s when the Miami City Commission deadlocked 2-2 in votes on the stadium, after Commissioner Marc Sarnoff demanded more for the city from the deal. The votes nearly killed the deal, but the meeting was continued until this month.

“Sincere and earnest work and meticulous and deliberate negotiations have been hijacked,” Alvarez wrote in a memo to county commissioners. “The best of intentions have morphed into unreasonable demands that have nothing to do with baseball. Political grandstanding, the dissemination of half-truths and intellectually dishonest assumptions are rampant.”

He continued: “It is wrong to exploit the public’s keen interest in baseball in this way. The politicking on the stadium, frankly, has become a distraction.”

Sounds a little like grandstanding about grandstanding, no?

Alvarez, who has been supportive of the ballpark, called for County Manager George Burgess to suspend ballpark discussions and the county commission to delay its March 9 meeting to vote on the ballpark issue until the city commission has voted on the ballpark agreements and all related issues. That includes a waiver of the competitive bidding requirements to allow the stadium contractor to also do the adjacent street and sewer work. The city commission is to consider the ballpark on Friday, but not the bid waiver.

In response, County Commission Chairman Dennis Moss, too, called for a delay of the county’s meeting. He’ll consider the delay at Tuesday’s county commission meeting.

Meanwhile, Spence-Jones’ office sent out a release saying she’d be hosting a community forum on the ballpark issue Monday night along with a group called Clergy for Change at 93rd Street Community Baptist Church. The Marlins had no comment Monday afternoon, but Marlins President David Samson was scheduled to attend the community forum.

Sarnoff? He met with the media in front of city hall just hours after Alvarez’s press conference. According to the AP’s account, Sarnoff said he thought a ballpark deal could be had, but that it needs to be reconsidered based on economic conditions.

“I think that we need to go back to the drawing board and take a look at this agreement in March 2009 eyes as opposed to February 2008 eyes,” Sarnoff said. “This is a different world economy than existed over a year ago.”

Over the weekend, Bill Madden speculated in a column in the New York Daily News that both the Marlins and Oakland A’s could be candidates for contraction with their ballparks off the table (A’s) and on the ropes (Marlins). In his column, Madden addresses Sarnoff’s demands for the city and county to receive naming rights and the profits if the Marlins are sold. He even invoked a former Marlins owner, who also couldn’t get a ballpark financed, when he wrote: “…and more and more it appears former Florida owner John Henry was right when he said there is nothing more impossible than south Florida politics.”

As of Monday afternoon, the Miami City Commission is still scheduled to meet Friday. That could change. The political thicket could get pricklier.

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Those public service announcements by local athletes in which they say they don’t chew, dip or smoke, are having an impact. So much so that Gov. Charlie Crist proclaimed this week “Tobacco Free Florida Week.”

In an unusual display of teamwork, eight pro and college teams around the state along with Fox Sports Florida and Sun Sports are continuing the anti-tobacco messages in force this week. The networks have taped more than 90 tobacco-free announcements with players and coaches. They’ll be played on scoreboards and during game telecasts.

Skeletons -- representing the nearly 29,000 Floridians who die each year from smoking, according to the Centers for Disease Control – will be dressed as sports fans and placed in the stands at participating arenas and stadiums (see photo of skeletons in UF and FSU gear). Street teams will promote anti-tobacco messages; smokifier vans, in which fans can see how they would age if they smoke, will be at the events.

"By combining efforts of professional and collegiate teams, local County Health Departments and other key tobacco prevention stakeholders, we can further extend the reach of the campaign's message," Kim Berfield, Florida Department of Health deputy secretary, said in a statement.

The festivities started Friday at the Orlando Magic-Detroit Pistons game and continued today at FSU’s basketball game against Clemson. Sunday afternoon’s Marlins-St. Louis Cardinals spring training game in Jupiter will also be a Tobacco Free Florida event. The rest of the week’s schedule: Monday night’s Heat-Cleveland Cavaliers game at AmericanAirlines Arena; Tuesday’s Tampa Bay Rays-Houston Astros spring trianing game; Thursday’s Panthers-Pittsburgh Penguins game at BankAtlantic Center; Friday’s Tampa Bay Lightning-St. Louis Blues game; and Saturday’s UF-University of Kentucky basketball game.

"Tobacco Free Florida Week presents a tremendous platform for us to utilize our unique media assets, along with those of our sports team partners across the state, in a concentrated, highly-visible way and encourage Floridians to pledge to be tobacco free," Fox Sports and Sun Sports Senior Vice President and General Manager Steve Liverani said in a statement.

Tobacco Free Florida Week is one part of this year’s campaign to promote anti-tobacco messages and help smokers quit. The campaign is funded by tobacco settlement dollars made available for anti-smoking programs when Floridians approved a constitutional amendment in 2006. Last year, $17 million was spent on the media campaign; the amount is up to $19.8 million this year.

The program directs smokers to the American Cancer Society’s Quitline for counseling and nicotine replacement patches, gum and lozenges. The message has been effective. Calls to the Quitline rose from about 4,000 in 2007 to about 45,000 last year.

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Miami City Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones has been quiet about the Marlins ballpark issue since her absence at the city commission meeting on Feb. 13 left the ballpark deal deadlocked 2-2 and almost derailed it completely before the meeting was continued until March.

That is, until Friday.

On Friday, Spence-Jones, who had been on maternity leave, issued a statement titled "Commissioner Michelle Spence Jones Says Marlins Must Hit a Home Run for Her District." In the release from her office, Spence-Jones says times have changed since she supported the ballpark last year.

Apparently, Miami City Commissioner Marc Sarnoff isn't the only one with demands.

Spence-Jones' statement listed several. She wants to ensure improvements and jobs for her district. Among her demands: preserving property tax dollars raised in the Overtown Community Redevelopment Agency for the Overtown neighborhood; "authorize a half billion dollar bond issuance to fund the redevelopment of the historic Overtown community," and that the Marlins and Major League Baseball pay for a "mini-baseball youth academy located in the inner city."

Three times the statement says the Marlins "will strike out" on March 6 -- when the commission is to vote on the ballpark agreement -- if changes are not made to the deal.

"In an economic environment where jobs are critical, small businesses are struggling, and construction work has slowed, the Commissioner says the deal must appeal to the needs of her district or the Marlins will strike out on March 6," the statement says.

As always, stay tuned...

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Now it’s the Miami City Commission moving its meeting to consider the Marlins $515 million ballpark deal. The city commission is now scheduled to meet at 9 a.m. March 6 – rather than on March 4.

No official word on why the meeting has been rescheduled, but it sounds like it could just be a scheduling issue. The Miami-Dade County Commission is still scheduled to meet to consider the deal at 9:30 a.m. on March 9.

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With just a week until Miami City Commissioners again consider a plan to finance and construct a $515 million ballpark for the Marlins, two Miami activists have filed a lawsuit to stop the project.

Graciela Solares, a member of the Miami Roads Neighborhood Civic Association, and Elvis Cruz, a member of the Morningside Civic Association, filed a lawsuit Wednesday against Miami and Miami-Dade County alleging the two governments negotiated the ballpark deal behind closed doors in violation of Florida’s public records law.

The suit, filed in Miami-Dade Circuit Court, seeks to void last year’s Baseball Stadium Agreement – the document that set in motion plans for the 37,000-seat retractable roof ballpark at the former site of the Orange Bowl – and halt any further negotiations unless they are held in public. The suit states that if the Miami City Commission and the county commission approve five new agreements that spell out precisely how to pay for and build the venue – those, too, would need to be voided. The city commission is scheduled on March 4 to consider five agreements; the county commission is to consider them March 9.

“The only thing they can do is, in a sense, start all over again,” said Linda Carroll, a Miami attorney representing Solares and Cruz.

Carroll said the public doesn’t have a right to interfere with negotiations, but must be allowed to watch them. Otherwise, she said, when it is the public’s time to comment, it can’t make informed observations since it doesn’t know what was considered.

A county spokeswoman said the county attorney’s office was reviewing the suit and had no comment. A city spokeswoman could not be reached late Wednesday. The Marlins were not named in the suit.

In his lawsuit filed last year, auto dealer Norman Braman also questioned the ballpark deal being negotiated in violation of the state’s Sunshine law. Braman’s suit accused County Manager George Burgess of negotiating the stadium deal on behalf of the county in private. The claim was one of the first dismissed in the case.

Carroll said the cases differ and the new lawsuit points out the public knows even more private meetings occurred in recesses during the city commission’s Feb. 13 meeting to consider the five agreements.

“The Chairman of the Commission declared recesses during the Commission meeting so that members of the negotiating teams of the City, the County and the Marlins could meet and confer,” the suit states. “The negotiators left the Commission chamber for the second floor (where the offices of the City’s Mayor and Manager are located). No one in the public knows what happened: all negotiations at that time were closed to the public.”

Knowing Braman’s public records law claims were dismissed last year, it’s possible the votes go on as planned. But it’s also possible Carroll files an injunction seeking to stop the votes from going forward.

As always, stay tuned.

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Miami-Dade County Commission Chairman Dennis Moss rescheduled the county’s March 5 special meeting to vote on the $515 million ballpark plan, after he learned that a few commissioners might be unable to attend.

Wanting to make sure everyone could attend, Moss has now scheduled the county commission’s meeting for 9:30 a.m. March 9 – meaning there will be a gap of four days between the Miami City Commission’s March 4 meeting and the county’s meeting.

Could the dates change again? Sure. Mark them in pencil.

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The Marlins said they hoped to get their ballpark issue resolved before March 12 –- the date Miami City Commissioners chose to continue last Friday’s meeting – the one that lasted more than seven hours.

The city and Miami-Dade County are trying to oblige. The city has scheduled to continue its meeting at 9 a.m. March 4, when presumably Miami Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones, who is on maternity leave, will be able to attend.

The county commission, meanwhile, will consider the stadium deal at a meeting at 9:30 a.m. on March 5. The team wanted to avoid what happened Friday – dozens of people waiting for the county meeting, which was scheduled to start at 1 p.m., while proceedings dragged on without resolution at the city commission meeting.

With Spence-Jones absent, the four commissioners in attendance twice deadlocked 2-2 in votes on the stadium deal. City Commissioner Marc Sarnoff made three demands: the team help pay cost overruns on the parking lots; turn over naming rights proceeds to the city and county; and hand over profits to the city and county, if the team is sold within 10 years.

The team agreed to cap the parking lots at $94 million, but would not agree to the other demands. Marlins President David Samson told the commission he would be willing to renegotiate additional provisions, but only if the entire ballpark agreement is reopened for discussion.

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As my regular readers know, I gave up handicapping whether the ballpark project will happen several years ago. I have been covering this for too many years and seen too many bizarre things – especially Friday’s Miami City Commission meeting – to know for sure what will happen.

But let’s re-cap and explore some of what occurred:

Approval?: The Miami City Commission might have passed the Marlins’ $515 million ballpark financing plan on Friday, had Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones been present. Spence-Jones, who is on maternity leave and was absent Friday, has supported the ballpark project in the past. That’s no guarantee, but it’s a possibility. Still Commissioner Marc Sarnoff may have raised his concerns (more on this later) about wanting to exact more protections for the public -- and in the process given some commissioners pause.

Even if the deal had passed at the city, Miami-Dade County Commissioners were prepared with their own questions and perhaps even more demands. Among concerns of both city and county commissioners is that general fund revenue could be tapped, should hotel bed tax dollars fall short. General fund dollars are listed as the secondary pledge – as a backstop – for repaying bonds. City, county and team officials have said they do not intend – ever – to tap the general fund.

At the county, provisions are being made to pull a few items that need a super-majority – or nine of 13 votes – from the ballpark agreements, so that a simple majority of seven votes can pass the ballpark contracts. The nine votes would be needed for items such as waiving competitive bidding procedures for the contract for the street and sewer work at the ballpark.

Jobs and public testimony: Before city commissioners began their debate Friday, 36 members of the public spoke. More were in favor than opposed, but both sides were represented. Many of the people who spoke in favor of the stadium, including those representing labor unions, pleaded for the construction jobs it would create during the next three years. The jobs at a new stadium have been in question since most of the jobs at Dolphin Stadium during Marlins games would just be moved to the new ballpark.

Here’s what Marlins President David Samson said about jobs: “I believe and I continue to believe this deal makes sense from the city’s standpoint and the county’s standpoint, and for every single person in South Florida whether you’re a baseball fan or not, the community needs these jobs. It was loud and clear. There can be a debate as to the type of jobs, but the community needs it.”

Opponents questioned such a large public outlay of tax dollars during a recession, whether the money should be spent on other projects, the types of jobs being created, and padding the pockets of private business.

Sarnoff’s demands: The stadium contracts up for votes on Friday were produced as a result of the “Baseball Stadium Agreement” (BSA) – a document the city and county commissions approved a year ago that covered the ballpark project in principle. The contracts are the fine details of that agreement that spell out precisely how to finance, construct, and insure the ballpark, keep the Marlins from re-locating for the 35-year life of the agreement and build the parking garages and lots. The contracts modified some of the items in the BSA, but the BSA always contemplated naming rights proceeds would go the Marlins. The Marlins have sought a new ballpark for years to be able to control their own revenue, so they can put more dollars into the team’s payroll.

The timing of Sarnoff’s demands is what blindsided many at city hall Friday.

For his part, Sarnoff says the dais at city hall is his place to make demands, not in meetings or negotiations ahead of time. Sarnoff said city administrators negotiate a deal they think is fair and then the “baton gets passed” to the city commission.

His demands were aimed at protecting the city and its taxpayers. He wanted the team to help cover cost overruns incurred if the cost for building the parking lots exceeds $94 million. Samson said the team would cap the parking at $94 million, even if that results in fewer than 5,500 spots.

Sarnoff wants naming rights split by the city and county to help them repay the bonds they issue for the ballpark.

And if the team is sold within 10 years, Sarnoff wants all the profits shared with the city and the county since it’s the public’s commitment to building a ballpark that will increase the value of the team.

“I just don’t think it’s taxpayers’ job to enhance a man’s asset,” Sarnoff said. “It’s not taxpayers’ job to increase the franchise value. And if the franchise value right now is $300 million and it goes up to $600 million, it seems to me the taxpayers should benefit from that franchise increase in the event of a flip.”

Sarnoff said if Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria has no intention of selling the team, he should agree to the profit-sharing language. Historically, sports team owners make money when they sell. See Dave Hyde’s column for more on this subject.

The contract does call for the Marlins to share profits if the team is sold, but within seven years and at a far lower and decreasing rate – 18 percent in the first year to 5 percent in the seventh. (The BSA had a five-year schedule that started at 10 percent, so the terms did get stronger).

Samson said the team couldn’t agree to those demands, but would be willing to renegotiate the deal, as long as the entire agreements is reopened.

For comparison purposes, profit-sharing – or sales kickers – are rare. In Washington, DC, the Nationals agreed to share profits if the team were sold after the city agreed to spend $600 million for the ballpark. That provision has already expired. In Minnesota, as part of their ballpark deal, the Twins agreed to share profits if the team is sold.

(By the way, just as an aside: did it look to anyone else like Sarnoff might be auditioning for a run at the mayor's seat? Already Commission Chairman Joe Sanchez and Commissioner Tomas Regalado are running to replace Miami Mayor Manny Diaz, when his term is complete. Sanchez even accused Regalado of campaigning at the dais during Friday's meeting).

What’s next?: The city commission has continued its meeting until March 12, but it’s possible a meeting could be held sooner. Samson said the city and the county will hold their meetings on separate days to avoid what happened Friday, when the city commission meeting ran long and those at the county, were left waiting before the county meeting was called off.

Samson said he believes a deal can still be struck. Read Juan Rodriguez’s piece from Sunday where Samson spoke on the first day of spring training at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter.

On Friday, when he met with the media, Samson said, “Any speculation that you hear that the ballpark deal is off, any speculation you hear that the team or county or city is fighting or anything, that is not the case. What you are hearing from me today is we are trying to figure out the best way to have a deal that makes sense for the county and the team, and we will continue to work toward that. And the minute we can no longer work toward that, is the minute I will tell all of our fans, that it’s over. And that day is not today.”

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Deadlocked in their vote for a new ballpark for the Marlins, the Miami City Commission decided instead to hold off further votes until next month.

The commission’s ballpark discussion will continue on March 12, which presumably will give time for any further negotiation that might make the $515 million financing proposal palatable to more city commissioners – and perhaps even allow for Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones, who is on maternity leave, to attend.

The Miami-Dade County Commission, which had been waiting since 1 p.m. to start its meeting on the ballpark plan, instead didn’t hold its meeting. The commission chairman will decide when the county should hold its next meeting. Any substantive changes in the ballpark deal would need to be reviewed by both the city and county.

Marlins President David Samson said he appreciated the political process and assured fans of the team and supporters of the ballpark that he is not giving up.

“I do not believe this marks the end, because we will continue to try to figure out a way to reconvene this meeting and have the county meeting that has not even begun yet,” he said.

“I tell our fans who are watching, spring training starts tomorrow, I will be in Jupiter for that. We are going to continue working to make sure the ballpark opens on time and on budget in 2012.”

He said fans should not believe that work on the ballpark is over: “I assure you when that is no longer the case you will hear it from me.”

The deadlock came when City Commissioner Marc Sarnoff asked that the Marlins agree to three additional items: covering overruns on parking garages and lots, and turning over proceeds from naming rights and any profit if the team is sold -- to the city and county. Samson said the team would agree to cap the parking costs at $94 million, but not the other provisions.

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Miami City Commissioners reconvened, but are no closer to a deal. Their meeting has devolved into political chaos.

In responding to Commissioner Marc Sarnoff’s proposals to cover extra costs of parking garages and to turn over naming rights and any profits of a team sale to the city and county, Marlins President David Samson said the team would agree to cap the cost of parking garages and lots at $94 million.

As for the other two provisions, he said the team could not agree, but if the commission wanted he would be willing to renegotiate the entire deal. Not just the parking agreement and non-relocation, but the ENTIRE deal.

Samson reminded Sarnoff and the other commissioners that the agreements before the commission were similar to the agreement to build a stadium in principle – known as the Baseball Stadium Agreement – that commissioners approved a year ago.

"We are open to renegotiate the entire agreement," Samson said. "All five agreements."

The commission decided to move forward with a vote on Sarnoff’s motion with the added provisions, which Samson said will result in “no deal.” But the voting ended at one no (Angel Gonzalez) and two yeses (Sarnoff and Tomas Regalado), when commission chairman Joe Sanchez lashed out at Regalado.

“You just voted against the deal,” Sanchez said.

“I’m voting for the residents of Miami, Mr. Chairman,” Regalado said. “Respectfully, it is not about the deal. It’s about the residents of the city of Miami. I believe these terms can be achieved.”

By the way, both Sanchez and Regalado are running for mayor of Miami to replace Mayor Manny Diaz.

Regalado continued: “We want the stadium, these are details that you all didn’t work out, but according to you mr. Manager, you got a lot of things from the county. Well, now is the time to come back to the table.”

All the commissioners sounded like they believed in helping finance a ballpark for the Marlins, but they can’t yet agree how, despite having the framework of a deal for the past year.

City Manager Pete Hernandez suggested another recess to meet with team and county officials. The group has gone to huddle in the city offices.

“I think today is a truly sad day for the county,” Sanchez said. “My colleagues have taken the hopes of many, the people who live in Little Havana.”

Again, stay tuned...

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The Miami City Commission deadlocked on 2-2 vote to move forward with a plan to finance a $515 million ballpark for the Marlins, meaning the deal died. (Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones, on maternity leave, is absent).

But the commission has just taken a break and team, city, Miami-Dade County and Major League Baseball officials have gone behind closed doors to see if a deal can be salvaged.

Before breaking City Commissioner Marc Sarnoff, who along with Commissioner Tomas Regalado opposed the deal, suggested several amendments to revive the deal. He wants the Marlins to cover extra costs on a parking garage the city is to build for $94 million, turn over naming rights dollars to the city and county to service their debt on the project and any profit, if the team is sold, to go to the city and county.

Commission Chairman Joe Sanchez initially seconded the motion, but then decided it would “kill the deal” and rescinded his motion.

At the moment, there is no deal on the table and certainly no need to head to the Miami-Dade County Commission chambers.

When I asked Miami Mayor Manny Diaz, a supporter of the ballpark, what happens now, he smiled and said “We’re taking a 10-minute break.”

As always, stay tuned.

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More than 25 members of the public are signed up to speak at Miami City Hall in favor or against a new ballpark for the Marlins. The debate has become less about the use of public money for the $515 million venue and more about whether it will create the jobs, residents and business people say are desperately needed.

Several people in the construction industry have spoken in favor of the jobs the stadium will create. Others said those jobs are an illusion, won’t pay enough and the money should be spent on housing, education and other needs.

The tourist tax dollars designated for the project can only be spent on sports venues, convention centers and other projects to promote tourism.

A man from Hialeah said he had 5,000 signatures in favor of the stadium. A Miami activist called the deal “terrible” and implored the commission to put the 335-page stadium contracts before voters.

“Let the Marlins get a loan to buy the land at the old Miami Arena site, just like any private business should have to do,” Elvis Cruz said. “Let them build the stadium themselves and let Major League Baseball guarantee it.”

Before the public testimony, Major League Baseball President Bob DuPuy spoke of the significance of building a ballpark in Miami for generations of families to enjoy.

“No one remembers their first visit to a convention center,” DuPuy said, “but almost everyone remembers their first visit to a baseball game.”

Miami Mayor Manny Diaz called on commissioners to approve the ballpark deal for its much-needed jobs during a period of high unemployment, because it will revitalize a neighborhood in the city that sorely needs it and will help make Miami as a world class city.

“It’s very easy to say no. I believe this is not why we get elected,” Diaz said. “We get elected to act, to be decisive, to lead.”

Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez told commissioners the issue is not new, and that it is time to make the decision. He worried the Marlins will leave “because after 10 years, we couldn’t come up with a contract.”

Alvarez said he hopes the team does “make a lot of money. If they make money, we’re successful in this community.”

Alvarez reminded commissioners, the county is fortunate to have professional football, basketball -- and baseball.

“They may never win a World Series again, but they’ve already won two,” Alvarez said.

Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria spoke briefly, telling commissioners he’s owned the team longest of its three owners, “because I have an unwavering commitment to see things well done, professionally done, it will continue in that same vein.”

But Loria added, “I do take exception to Mayor Alvarez’s comments we may never win another World Series.”

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There’s a full house at Miami City Hall this morning, where the city commission is late starting its meeting to consider funding for a $515 million ballpark for the Marlins. Some in the audience are clad in Marlins jerseys and caps. There are also some opponents.

Miami resident Elaine Jepeway stood alone in front of Miami City Hall, holding up a paper grocery bag that she’d split apart and had covered with the words “NO DEAL.”

“I thought there were going to be other people here,” said Jepeway, 67. “This is just such a fiasco with the economy … We should use the money for something that’s needed. Nobody goes to the games. I wasn’t coming, but I thought it’s the right thing to do … I think it’s just not the time to do it.”

Meanwhile, a Marlins fan circled the city hall parking lot in his pickup truck carrying a billboard that read “I want to take my child to a Marlin World Series in 2013.”

Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria and president David Samson are in attendance. City Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones, who is on maternity leave, is not present and not expected to vote on the deal. The stadium agreements need a simple majority of the four commissioners present to pass.

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H. Wayne Huizenga bid farewell Tuesday to nearly two decades of sports team ownership, including 19 years with his favorite team, the Dolphins.

When he completed the sale of the Dolphins to New York real estate developer Stephen Ross last month, Huizenga’s remarkable tenure owning three professional sports franchises - including two expansion teams that took the field and ice within six months of each other - came to an end.

His biggest regret: that his Dolphins didn’t win a Super Bowl. He also said in hindsight perhaps he should have waited a year to dismantle the Marlins after they won the 1997 World Series.

He oversaw a tumultuous period, bringing South Florida into the major leagues: owning three teams and taking two of them to their sport’s championship, investing in a regional sports network, selling naming rights to a stadium, and overseeing the construction of a 20,000-seat arena. It was a period the likes of which will never been seen again. If you’re interested in reading a longer view of Huizenga’s tenure in sports, click here.

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On Friday, the Marlins hosted a wiffle ball game (see photo) on the grounds of the former Orange Bowl, which they hope will become the location for their new home.

On Saturday, renderings of that home – a proposed $515 million retractable roof ballpark – were up in select spots around their current home, Dolphin Stadium, during the team’s annual FanFest.

The team also handed out fliers depicting the new home and encouraging fans to show up on Friday (Feb. 13) at the Miami City (9 a.m.) and Miami-Dade County (1 p.m.) commission meetings to show their support for a new ballpark. The two commissions are scheduled Friday to determine whether ground will finally be broken for the long-sought ballpark. The commissions are considering five agreements that spell out the details of the financing and construction of the ballpark. The vote – at least at the county commission, where the team needs 9 of 13 votes – is expected to be close and is not assured.

According to an announcement in Miami Today, a group called “Coalition Against Marlins Bailout” has scheduled a protest at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10, outside the county government center, 111 NW 1st St., Miami. And the Miami Herald writes opposition to the use of county hotel bed tax dollars to fund the ballpark has surfaced again from Miami Beach officials who want bed taxes used to upgrade the Miami Beach Convention Center.

But Saturday at Dolphin Stadium was about celebrating baseball, the Marlins and their players and to ask questions about certain elements of the ballpark. Among the ballpark details that Marlins President David Samson shared and were applauded:

Food: A “Taste of Miami” concept in which offerings are to represent the range of ethnicities and tastes of South Florida from croquetas to sushi to stone crabs to hamburgers. “It’s going to be a pleasure watching people eating stone crabs, while they just got something from Café Versailles,” Samson said.

Roof: Opening and closing the roof should take 11 to 16 minutes, depending on wind and other factors, Samson said. He said during the rainy and boiling summer months, the roof should be closed most of the time to ensure games are played and fans are kept cool in the air conditioning.

Dimensions: Similar to Dolphin Stadium, the new ballpark will be a pitcher’s park, Samson said, but with the short porches reversed, so that right field is shorter and left field is farther away. These are the dimensions: Left-field line: 340 feet; Left-field alley: 384 feet; Center field: 420 feet; Right-field alley: 392 feet; Right-field line: 335 feet. There will a “Bermuda Triangle” sort of feature with a surprise being planned by Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria.

Parking: Season ticket holders will be assigned spots in four garages based on where they live or will be coming from to the ballpark to make it easier for them to get in and out of the location, Samson said. For example, he said, West Broward residents who take the 836, will be assigned west side garage spots; fans traveling south will be in east side garages.

Design: The renderings don’t give the full effect of the glass and color planned for the venue, Samson said. He said there will be a glass wall facing downtown Miami.

Meetings: The Miami City Commission meets at 9 a.m. Friday at Miami City Hall, 3500 Pan American Drive, Miami; the Miami-Dade County Commission meets at 1 p.m. Friday at the Stephen P. Clark Center, 111 NW 1st St., Miami.

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The Marlins are expecting season ticket sales to be in the range of last year’s 5,000, team president David Samson said Monday.

“Our renewal rate is better than last year,” Samson said. “Our new sales are slightly below what I would have hoped. I would expect we’ll end up where we were last year, and I was hoping for an increase. It’s not over yet.”

Individual tickets go on sale during the team’s FanFest at Dolphin Stadium, from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday. Fans can purchase season ticket packages there as well. The Marlins plan to release additional ticket packages prior to the start of the season.

Samson called sales of tickets to the second round of the World Baseball Classic – March 14-18 – “good,” but he expects those to improve once fans know which teams will be competing.

“We are hoping they will continue to pick up as the first week of the classic happens and we make sure and confirm the teams we anticipate coming will come, which will be Venezuela, the Dominican, Puerto Rico and the U.S.,” Samson said. “It’s going to be something people don’t realize how cool it is until they see it. The environment of these games of is very special, the national pride these countries feel.”

Samson said he expects attendance to be at least 20,000 for each of the six games. And, he said, the Marlins would like to host the WBC Finals in 2013 – in a new ballpark.

As for the new ballpark, Samson says he’s spending most of the next 10 days meeting with Miami City and Miami-Dade County commissioners and answering questions about the ballpark agreements the commissions are scheduled to consider at separate meetings on Feb. 13. If the commissions approve the agreements, any of the parties can pull out of the deal until June 30. But Samson isn’t expecting that to happen – he says with approval ground can be broken between June 15 and July 15. Read more about the Marlins' payroll philosophy in a new ballpark at our Marlins blog.

The city commission meets at 9 a.m., followed by the county commission at 1 p.m.

As he typically does, Samson refused to say what will happen if the commissions reject the agreements for the $515 million ballpark at the site of the former Orange Bowl.

“That I’m not going to address until the day after at the earliest,” he said.

A ballpark is expected to open in 2012. Samson said new Dolphins and stadium owner Stephen Ross knows the team wants to extend its lease at Dolphin Stadium through the 2011 season. Samson said he’s also spoken with UM President Donna Shalala about the need to remain in the stadium the team shares with the Dolphins and Hurricanes.

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The Marlins are hoping Friday the 13th turns out to be their lucky day. Miami-Dade County Commissioners and Miami City Commissioners are to vote Feb. 13 on the five agreements that spell out the financing, construction and other details to make their ballpark at the site of the former Orange Bowl a reality.

The five agreements – Construction Administration; Operating; Non-Relocation; Assurance; and City Parking – were released Tuesday. If you want some light reading, take a look at the documents here on the county’s website.

Acknowledging that I haven’t read every page YET, the agreements overall appear to extract more from the team, thereby offering more protections for the public. The budget for the ballpark is to remain the same, the documents show, ($347 million from the county; $155 million from the team; and $13 million from the city), but the team is responsible for any cost overruns incurred on the ballpark AND the public infrastructure. That means if there are overruns on the estimated $21 million in drainage, sewer and road work the city and county will split, the team will be responsible for those.

The team’s rent payment of $2.3 million a year will rise 2 percent a year – meaning more money for the county to cover its debt. The team will provide 81,000 tickets – or 1,000 a game at an “affordable price” starting at $15 in the ballpark’s inaugural year. Another 10,000 – double the original 5,000 – a season will be provided free for youth groups and community organizations.

If the team is sold within seven years, the team would have to pay a higher percentage than initially planned, to the county as a profit share. Under last year’s agreement, the team would pay 10 percent if the team was sold in year one; under the new agreement, that’s shot up to 18 percent. The percentage falls each year, but is significantly more onerous than in the earlier agreement – arguably creating something of a disincentive to sell.

Neither County Manager George Burgess nor Marlins President David Samson would say the changes were made to appease the concerns of county commissioners who have threatened to vote against the ballpark agreements.

“We wanted to get something stronger,” Burgess said.

“You do what you think is right to achieve a goal you have. Our goal from the beginning was to partner with the city and county … through the course of negotiations there were certain provisions that changed,” Samson said. “Our focus has been to get this deal done.”

Even if the commissions sign off on the agreements, there’s still an option for any of the parties to terminate them by June 30. Burgess and Samson said they don’t expect that to happen. They expect construction to begin this summer with the ballpark opening in 2012.

The city commission is scheduled to meet at 9 a.m. Feb. 13, followed by a 1 p.m. meeting of the county commission. The county commission must approve the agreements by a two-thirds vote -- or 9 -- of the 13 county commissioners. Expect it to be another long day.

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Not much of an update – hence the .5 – but there hasn’t been much to say lately.

The agreements spelling out the details of financing and constructing a Marlins ballpark may finally be headed for a vote. Miami-Dade County Commission Chairman Dennis Moss mentioned during today’s county commission meeting that he’d like to hold a special meeting at 1 p.m. on Feb. 13 to consider the ballpark agreements. But that date is contingent upon the county commission getting at least two weeks to review the agreements, which still haven’t been completed.

Moss wants to avoid the criticism the Miami city and Miami-Dade county commissioners received in December 2007 for their hasty votes on an agreement that included plans for the $515 million stadium, which they’d had limited time to review.

Although officials hope the Miami City Commission will vote on the same day as the county commission, a city meeting has not yet been scheduled.

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The sale of the Dolphins was big news today across the country. I discussed the sale on the morning show on Sports Radio 950 KJR-AM in Seattle. Listen here.

And I was featured on the sports business segment of the Wake-Up Zone on 104.5 The Zone WGFX in Nashville this morning, where we discussed the Dolphins sale, Marlins stadium, UM, the Panthers, among other sports business topics. Listen here.

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Want to throw your weight around? Think you have the gift of flab?

The Marlins want you. The team is holding tryouts for the second season of the Marlins Manatees, Major League Baseball’s first all-male dance squad.

Last year’s squad of burly, big men featured members with nicknames such as “Tiny,” “Big Kahuna” and “Mr. Mantastic.” The group performs dance routines between innings at Friday and Saturday night home games at Dolphin Stadium.

Interested in trying out? You must be at least 18 and willing to learn a dance routine. Don Marlins gear and show up at noon on Sunday, Jan. 18 at U.S. Century Bank Arena on the FIU campus, 11310 SW 17th St., Miami. For more information, visit the team's Web site.

Auditions for the Marlins Mermaids female dance team will be held at 8 a.m. the same day at Century Bank Arena. Mermaid hopefuls must be at least 18, dressed in dance attire and shoes and have a resume and head shot. Mermaids who make the first cut will take part in a Mermaid boot camp with final auditions at 9 p.m. Jan. 30 at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood. Find more information here.

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Individual tickets go on sale for Baltimore Orioles spring training games at 10 a.m. Saturday at Fort Lauderdale Stadium for wh