Ground broken on spring site
Astros, Nationals to share Ballpark of the Palm Beaches.
— Commissioner Rob Manfred joined Houston Astros owner Jim Crane and other baseball and area officials Monday at a groundbreaking ceremony for the team’s future spring training home, the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches.
The Astros and the Washington Nationals are expected to begin spring training and play games at the $144 million facility in 2017. West Palm Beach has not hosted spring training since the Atlanta Braves and Montreal Expos left the area in 1997.
“One of goals is to make sure as many people as possible have an opportunity to enjoy spring training,” Manfred said. “It’s such a great part of our year, and I think two additional teams here ensures that we have a sufficient body of teams in southeast Florida.
“I think these are two really appealing teams. They’ll draw well and be great competition to the existing teams in the area.”
The Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals share a stadium in Jupiter, just north of West Palm Beach. With the New York Mets training in nearby Port St. Lucie, five teams will be within a 50-mile radius.
“The last thing players want to do during spring training is go on long bus rides,” Manfred said. “Having a body of teams here in southeastern Florida all within an hour of each other makes spring training great not only for these two new teams, but also the existing teams in the area.”
Also at the ceremony were Nationals owner Mark Lerner, team representatives from the Nationals and Astros, and city and county officials.
Crane, who also owns the Floridian National Golf Club in nearby Palm City, touched on the various attractions the West Palm Beach area offers.
“We’re very proud to be here,” Crane said. “You got great boating; you got great fishing; you got great beaches. With all the spring training teams so close, (people) will be able to go to more games. I think we’ll draw more down here — I really do.
“It’s going to be a big draw for the community and a great park for the kids. Year round, they can play football, soccer and baseball here. It’s going to be great for the families.”