Orioles plan high-tech expansion of Sarasota spring training site

Seeking to tap into the latest baseball performance technology, The Baltimore Orioles are planning an on-campus expansion of the team's spring training facilities at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota. 

On Aug. 14, Philip DiMaria of planning consultant Kimley-Horn appeared before the city’s Development Review Committee for a pre-application conference. The Orioles propose an expansion of the existing clubhouse adjacent to practice fields to add four high-tech indoor batting cages, expanded classroom space and associated utility upgrades.

The plan also includes the addition of 77 parking spaces for players and their families. 

At the southwest corner of the property, the expansion is near the intersection of North Euclid Avenue and 10th Street.

“What you see before you is a new structure that would expand the existing training facility and clubhouse,” DiMaria told the DRC members. “The main focus of this is providing tech cages. In modern baseball, there's the advent of technology that they create these specially-made batting cages that have cameras and technology associated with them to track all the sabermetrics and statistics associated with the modern game.”

Courtesy rendering

Currently located on that portion of the property fronting North Euclid Avenue is an infield practice field and an auxiliary building that will be removed. A retention pond separates the proposed construction site from the intersection. 

The clubhouse and proposed expansion are located beyond the right field wall of the stadium. A rendering shows exterior architecture consistent with the stadium.

“The proposed modernization will improve the existing training facility’s ability to support the Baltimore Orioles organization and their player development goals,” DiMaria wrote in a cover letter accompanying the pre-application materials. “The existing facility was built in 1988 and the needs of the Baltimore Orioles have since evolved with the team’s success and as standards advance for the capabilities of Major League Baseball spring training facilities.”

The anticipated time frame for construction is uncertain. DiMaria told the DRC that plans will soon be submitted that “would enable this to be constructed eventually."

This article originally appeared on sister site YourObserver.com.