Gulf Coast Live is on location today at JetBlue Park, the home of spring training for the Boston Red Sox, taking a look at the players on the field and the off-field efforts that make spring training tick in Southwest Florida.
Several major league baseball teams call our region home, from Midwest teams like the Minnesota Twins to the Tampa Bay Rays, who make the journey 90 minutes south. But what goes into making Spring Training work? And what kind of impact do these teams have on our local communities in terms of business, culture, and community in Southwest Florida?
Red Sox historians, reporters, and personnel join the program to talk about the team’s years in Fort Myers, and how Lee County Sports Development measures the costs, and benefits, of having teams like the Sox and the Twins in town.
Also joining the show are others involved with the teams and spring training, from local food vendors serving the fans at Jet Blue Park, to the people behind the scenes connecting the players with worthy causes.
And during the show, former White Sox players and Red Sox rookie and FGCU alum Chris Sale shares his thoughts about taking on spring training in his own backyard and how he’s enjoying his time with his new team.
Guests on Tuesday's program include:
- Gordon Edes, Red Sox team historian
- Alex Speier, Boston Globe reporter
- Angel Natal, business development manager with Lee County Sports Development
- Katie Haas, the Florida Red Sox community outreach coordinator
- Jason Powella, organizing Tuesday night's Lee Health Diamond Dinner
- Mike Pica, serving fans via Mario’s Meat Market & Deli