Spring Training Online

The Cactus League is expanding by three teams this spring and one more in 2010, but it could end up being even larger under a plan to add a Japanese team to the mix as part of a proposal to bring a year-round training facility to Tucson Electric Park.

Massachusetts-based Baseline Group, which works on Japanese and Korean player evaluation and development, is pitching Pima County on the prospect of establishing year-round operations at the Tucson Electric Park complex, currently housing spring training and extended-spring operations for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Baseline is headed by former major leaguer Mike Pagliarulo.

The Baltimore Orioles officially declined Sarasota's offer of $30 million to renovate Ed Smith Stadium as the future spring home of the Birds, but left open the possibility to a counteroffer from the county.

In a letter sent to county officials by team attorney Alan Rifkin, the team laid out its reasons for rejecting the offer. Basically, the team is looking for a new ballpark and wants to see the same financial commitment offered several months ago to the Boston Red Sox for a new ballpark at Payne Park and a separate minor-league facility. In addition, the team wanted to see land for a Ripken Baseball Academy, an action dismissed by the county.

The effort to bring the Baltimore Orioles to Sarasota is on life support after the Sarasota County Commission scaled back their financial offer to the team, offering $22 million toward a renovated Ed Smith Stadium.

There was no immediate reaction from the team; the Orioles had been asking for $57 million, which would build a new ballpark and a new Ripken Baseball youth academy. But with Vero Beach withdrawing its $13 million offer to renovate Holman Stadium Monday, the Orioles are suddenly running out of options as they explore a replacement for Fort Lauderdale Stadium.

Yesterday's deadline set by Indian River County and Vero Beach officials for the Baltimore Orioles to make a commitment to Dodgertown has come and gone with the Orioles instead making a counteroffer that goes far past the initial offer of $13 million in ballpark improvements and 37.5 acres of land.

In fact, the land is now off the table, as Vero Beach officials say they're done negotiating. And while what the Orioles are asking for is not out of line with what other teams have received in government incentives, it's apparently too much for Vero Beach -- putting the whole deal in jeopardy.

The prospects of a Baltimore Orioles move to Sarasota for spring training brightened significantly last week when the team agreed to a reduced budget and offered $5 million toward maintenance toward a new complex.

The Orioles are still sticking with the idea of replacing Ed Smith Stadium, the current spring home of the Reds, with a new facility. But the reduced budget may make it easier for county tourism officials to pledge 1 percent in tourist-tax revenue for the baseball complex.