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The off-season brings many different types of news: trades, signing, new hires, etc. The Astros have one other new aspect that is new -- their future Spring Training home with the Nationals.
Today, Astros and Nationals officials held a groundbreaking ceremony of The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches is expected to be completed by January of 2017.
On hand for the ceremony for the ceremy per MLB.com:
Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred took part in the ceremony along with Astros Owner and Chairman Jim Crane, Astros General Manager Jeff Luhnow, Nationals Owner Mark Lerner and Nationals General Manager Mike Rizzo. Mayor Shelly Vana (Palm Beach County) and Mayor Jeri Muoio (West Palm Beach) also were a part of the ceremony.
The new facility, located at 5398 Haverhill Road, will feature separate complexes for the Astros and Nationals. Each complex will include several baseball diamonds, clubhouses, weight-training facilities and offices for front office personnel. The main ballpark will be shared by the two clubs, the ballpark holds 6,400 fans and an additional 1,250 fans in a berm area.
Crain and Manfred were quoted by MLB.com as saying:
"Getting a new Spring Training facility was high on our list of priorities," Crane said. "A lot of hard work went into getting this done. We appreciate the great support we've received from the County and the Governor. We will have a first-class facility that will be great for our players and will have a great impact on this neighborhood."
"This project was crucial," Manfred said. "I give Jim Crane and Mark Lerner a ton of credit for finding a location, getting the project done and ensuring the future of Spring Training baseball in Southeast Florida."