Scott Wagman on Rays ballpark: Not necessarily in St. Pete

ST. PETERSBURG -- Mayoral hopeful Scott Wagman said he wouldn't require the Tampa Bay Rays to build their new stadium within city limits.

Wagman said he would like the Rays to stay in St. Petersburg, but it is more important that team officials and community leaders come up with a location that will benefit the entire region and ensure the team has a long future in the Tampa Bay area.

However, Wagman said he would oppose plans to build a new stadium along St. Petersburg's historic waterfront.

Wagman's position on the Rays' controversial stadium stands in stark opposition to Mayor Rick Baker's demand that the stadium be built in St. Petersburg.

Wagman clarified his position on the Rays' stadium during a campaign event at the Globe Coffee Lounge Friday.

During an informal question and answer discussion with supporters, Wagman said crime and job creation were his two top issues.

He also said that time-limited parking downtown should be more consistent.

UPDATE (1:40 p.m.): Fellow mayoral contender Deveron Gibbons just called Wagman's position on possibly letting the Rays leave St. Petersburg "crazy." 

"That comment shows a complete lack of sensitivity for the folks who lived in the Gas Plant area and gave up so much to get baseball here," Gibbons said, referencing the forced relocation of a predominantly African American neighborhood to make way for what is now Tropicana Field. "The people that gave up so much, that means nothing to Scott Wagman?"

Like Wagman, Gibbons said the waterfront should be off limits to the Rays. But, Gibbons said, "we ultimately have to figure out how to keep the Rays here."

-Cristina Silva and Aaron Sharockman, Times staff writers

Marlins' new stadium approved

The Florida-soon-to-be-Miami Marlins got the approvals for a new baseball stadium late Monday night.

You can read about the deal here. The project, which will cost $634 million, will be paid for primarily by city and county taxpayers. According to the Miami Herald, the Marlins are kicking in $120 million for construction and will pay back another $35 million in government money.

The Marlins' stadium approval leaves just the Oakland Athletics and the Tampa Bay Rays looking for new stadiums.

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Jamie Bennett proposes waterfront protection referendum

The official announcement is to come Thursday, but City Council member and mayoral candidate Jamie Bennett plans to sponsor potential referendum language protecting the St. Petersburg waterfront from future development.

While the ballot language has not yet been written, Bennett's aim is to make sure any major development along the downtown waterfront requires a referendum.

It's hard to see how this isn't a political move. Bennett, rightly or wrongly, has been somehow tied to the Tampa Bay Rays' push for a stadium at the site of Al Lang Field. In one move, Bennett can reverse those fears and possibly steal away some support from outspoken stadium critic and fellow mayoral contender Kathleen Ford. (The Rays' stadium proposal for Al Lang contemplated a referendum all along, under current City Charter protections. The referendum, which had tentatively been scheduled for November 2008, was shelved after the Rays withdrew their proposal). 

Bennett will be making his announcement at North Shore Park Thursday morning with POWW leader Hal Freedman.

Read more at here.

-- Aaron Sharockman, Times Staff Writer

Fake Toronto Blue Jays fans invade Canada

Not really a stadium issue, but some folks sent me a You Tube video documenting their trip to see the Toronto Blue Jays last year as "undercover" Blue Jays fans. It's good Friday viewing.

Aaron Sharockman, Times Staff Writer

Group may have something to report by June

ST. PETERSBURG — The group studying sites for a new Tampa Bay Rays stadium said Tuesday it could have a series of interim findings by June.

But, they cautioned, the site for a possible new stadium will not be among them.

Jeff Lyash, chairman of the group called A Baseball Community, said he hoped to focus — at least initially — on areas where a stadium could be located, not specific properties. Talk mostly has centered around the Carillon and Gateway areas in north St. Petersburg and, to a lesser extent, downtown St. Petersburg and Tampa.

“This is not meant to be conclusionary,” said Lyash, Progress Energy Florida’s president and chief executive.