A $100 million incentive package could be enough to lure the Washington Nationals and Houston Astros to move their spring training operations out of Central Florida.
Opponents on the baseball field — but apparently partners off — the Astros and Nationals are now closer now than ever to leaving their spring homes in Osceola and Brevard counties.
"In some sense, the writing many be on the wall for Brevard County," said county spokesman Don Walker.
During spring training, the Nationals play at Space Coast Stadium in Viera, and the Astros at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee. But both teams have recently discussed moving their Grapefruit League homes to South Florida.
On Tuesday, commissioners in Palm Beach County put their money where their mouths are, approving a $108 million tax plan to build the Nats and Astros a new, multi-user complex the two would share.
That means a step closer for the Nats leaving Viera's 20-year-old Space Coast Stadium, where the sign proudly displays Washington's 2014 National League Eastern Division championship.
Both the Nationals and Astros released a mutual statement, saying:
The Board of Commissioners took a major step today toward keeping the tradition of major league baseball's spring training in Palm Beach County and on the east coast of Florida. The teams will now work to find a location here in Palm Beach County that will serve our needs, those of the youth sports commission and area tourism for decades to come. We will continue our efforts to accomplish that goal.
For Brevard County leaders, knowing the team wants to leave isn't anything new. The team has long complained the Space Coast is too far of a drive to play away games in other parts of the state.
The Nationals considered leaving for Osceola County — where the Astros train — last year, but commissioners there rejected that stadium plan.
The next closest spring training facility to Space Coast Stadium is Champion Stadium at Walt Disney World, where the Atlanta Braves practice, more than an hour's drive from Viera.
This week, however, marked the first time another area has committed money to building the Nationals a new facility, making the probability of the team uprooting after more than a decade in Viera — including two years as the Montreal Expos — becomes more likely.
Under Palm Beach County's plan, the Astros would go with them, now partnering with the Nats to find a new home.
"Even if Palm Beach does the bed tax and is able to build a stadium, we don't think that stadium is going to be built between now and next spring, so we fully expect the Nationals will play here next spring," Walker said.
Local baseball fans say it's just time for the issue to be put to rest.
"Straighten up and fly right. Make a commitment, or not," said Don Stewart, of Brevard County.
"It will be a big impact if they do leave," added Sandy Wolf.
As Yogi Berra once said, "It ain't over till it's over," and the deal isn't done yet. Both teams now have 90 days to scout a location for their new ballpark, and all indications are that it won't be easy.
Brevard County commissioners just approved more than $800,000 in improvements to Space Coast Stadium, including waterproofing buildings and the dugouts.