Houston Astros to bring spring training to Palm Beach Gardens?

Reportedly looking at lot near Interstate 95

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The Houston Astros are looking into building a new Palm Beach Gardens spring training facility to share with another ball club, according to a team official.
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Posted: 03/13/2013

By: Dan Corcoran

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. - In the middle of Spring Training, there is a push for Palm Beach County to get another baseball team to make this their spring home. The speculation is about the Houston Astros and a wooded lot in Palm Beach Gardens.

"To be able to be that close to the major league players this time of year, you can't do that anywhere else," said Hal Venoff of Palm Beach Gardens who was watching the Miami Marlins take on the Atlanta Braves at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter with his son, David, 5.

There could be more Spring Training baseball coming to this area, just four miles south, in Palm Beach Gardens. An 82 acre site between Central Boulevard and Interstate 95 could possibly become home to a training facility for the Houston Astros.

"Good weather, a lot of baseball fans and they'll get good support," said Robert Diaz, who says the Astros facility would fit well in this area. "I've been coming out to spring training since I was a little kid and it's been a big part of my life."

The general counsel for the Astros, told Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers that the team is interested in the Palm Beach Gardens lot. That would be a lot of baseball in just a few square miles. "I don't think we need another stadium this close to Roger Dean," said Venoff. "I'm not really sure there's a bit Astros contingency."

Currently, the Marlins and the St. Louis Cardinals train at Roger Dean Stadium. Some fans hope the Astros could be next. "If it brings in more jobs, then maybe it would be a good thing," said Venoff.

Despite the comments from the Astros general counsel, the team released a statement Wednesday evening. "The Astros are happy where they are in Kissimmee but our owner Jim Crane has stated that the Astros will look into all possibilities to find the best Spring Training home for the Astros once the current lease is up, whether that be in Kissimmee or somewhere else," wrote Media Relations Coordinator Chris Peixoto.

Baseball fans will have to wait a bit longer for more definitive news.