Nationals reach agreement to keep spring training in Florida for 30 years

Florida Gov. Rick Scott announced Wednesday that the Washington Nationals and Houston Astros have agreed to keep their spring training operations in Florida for the next 30 years, a positive step toward their possible moves to West Palm Beach in 2017.

In a press release issued by his office, Scott did not mention the Nationals’ possible move to West Palm Beach, nor the ongoing process to approve the construction of a new stadium there. Those stadium plans must still be approved by the state legislature.

However, Scott’s announcement — and Washington’s willingness to stay in the state — does foster optimism that the plans ultimately will be approved.

“We, at the Washington Nationals, appreciate Governor Scott’s commitment to keeping all fifteen major league baseball spring training venues in the Sunshine State, ensuring that Florida remains the premier spring training destination,” Nationals owner Mark Lerner said in the statement.

The Nationals’ lease of Space Coast Stadium in Viera runs through 2017. Don Walker, a public information officer for Brevard County, said the team has been adamant in its desire to leave Viera at the conclusion of that lease.
According to Walker, the county has already made efforts to attract other teams to replace the Nationals in 2018.

“It’s our hope that when the Nationals leave that we will continue to have baseball in Brevard County,” Walker said in an e-mail. “As it stands, and knowing that West Palm Beach will have to make quite an investment to build a stadium for the Nationals, we anticipate that the team will continue to honor its lease here in Brevard County. We fully expect a team will take the field this spring and at least through 2016 and 2017.”

Earlier this month, the Palm Beach County Commission agreed to a land swap with the city of West Palm Beach, giving the county control of more than 140 acres upon which the new stadium can be built. The two parties also agreed on the stadium concept.

Yet several obstacles remain before construction can begin, including an environmental study evaluating possible damage to drinking water in the area. The plans must then pass through the state legislature, with a vote expected to take place in a few months. In other words, Washington’s move to West Palm Beach will not be official until shovels hit the ground.