Dunedin Looks to Reaffirm Commitment to Toronto Blue Jays

Retaining Major League Baseball in Dunedin isn't just a city issue.

It's one state and county leaders should also have on deck, city officials say.

That's precisely why Dunedin leaders look to pass a resolution during a Thursday, April 4 commission meeting urging several state and county groups to reaffirm commitment, along with the city, to keeping the Toronto Blue Jays.

The resolution comes on the heels of the team's recent public statements that it is using the final four years of its license agreement with Dunedin to look at other spring training locations.

Dunedin leaders talked strategy during a March 21 public meeting, sharing pieces of their retention efforts, which includes the possibility of hiring a professional negotiation firm, conducting an economic needs assessment, identifying funding sources, and including the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners, the Tourist Development Council, and the State and County Convention and Visitors Bureau in the discussions.

The City of Clearwater also expressed a vested interest in keeping the Blue Jays nearby, officials said. The team has a 35-year relationship with Dunedin.

"Teams just don't like to travel. They want to play games. They want to be near each other. They don't want to be on a bus too long. They want to be on the ballfield playing games. I think that's one of our real strengths we have here in this city," said Vince Gizzi, Dunedin parks and recreation director.

Florida Auto Exchange Stadium is less than an hour away from four other MLB spring training cities, and two hours from another four cities, Gizzi said.

A Toronto team official told a Canadian reporter that Dunedin's stadium conditions and three-and-half mile distance from the clubhouse were reasons for moving.

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Dunedin officials recently discussed planning a trip to Canada to help strengthen ties with the franchise.

The Blue Jays' contract expires Dec. 31, 2017, but it includes two, five-year extension options.

Gov. Rick Scott is working to provide $5 million a year toward stadium improvements aimed at retaining the Blue Jays and the four other MLB teams whose contracts are set to expire between 2016 and 2017.

Scott's program unveiled in early March will require a 50 percent match from local governments, although it is still in conceptual stages.

Six of Florida's spring training teams have been lost to Arizona since 2000; 15 Major League Baseball teams are still in the state.

The public can attend Thursday's meeting at Dunedin City Hall or watch the meeting live beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Dunedin TV on Channel 615 for Bright House customers or Channel 15 for Knology and Verizon customers.

Related Coverage:

• Maintaining Major League Baseball in Dunedin: Officials Talk Strategy
• Blue Jays Looking to Leave Dunedin?
• Gov. Scott Proposes Funding for Spring Training Stadiums in Florida