News

Actions

Spring Training housing crunch for players

Posted at 10:31 PM, Feb 01, 2016
and last updated 2016-02-02 05:22:16-05

JUPITER, Fla --- Spring Training is right around the corner as dozen of ballplayers and fans will invade South Florida.

The only problem is a housing crunch is making it tough to find a place to live short-term.

The Miami Marlins and the St. Louis Cardinals will take the field at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter. Realtors say every year is a constant struggle because snow-birds take over the temporary housing.

Seattle Mariner Ed Lucas says that kind of housing is slim-pickings.

"Just try to find a one or two bedroom and cram six guys in there," says Lucas.

Realtor Holly Meyer Lucas works specifically with baseball clients. She has about five options right now, but a total of 34 customers.

"Creative is the name of the game," says Meyer Lucas.

She's using social media and looking at tax records to find some sort of fit.

"Does it have heating, does it have AC, does it have a bed. Sure we'll take it. It's that desperate sometimes."

Lucas says it could get even tougher to find housing next year with both the Washington Nationals and Houston Astros moving into their new facility in West Palm Beach.