Sports Exec to Scott: Get Grapefruit League Teams to Go BiCoastal

A Florida sports executive wants Gov. Rick Scott to swing a bat for Grapefruit League diversity.

Larry Pendleton, president of the Orlando-based Florida Sports Foundation, is calling on Scott to push Major League Baseball to schedule more travel across the state, according to the News Service of Florida.

With a majority of the 15 spring-training teams on or near Florida's west coast, east coast teams come up short on variety.

For example, the Tampa-based New York Yankees -- always a big draw -- won't play a single road game this spring against the St. Louis Cardinals or Florida Marlins (Jupiter) or New York Mets (Port St. Lucie). The Yanks will make one appearance in Melbourne against the Washington Nationals.

Pendleton told a House subcommittee Tuesday that the teams close-to-home scheduling is hurting the popularity of spring training in the state.

Were going to ask Governor Scott to make a phone call to help us out, Pendleton told the Economic Development and Tourism subcommittee. Hes a former baseball (part) owner (Texas Rangers), so I think he understands and knows some of the people.

Sign up for Sunshine State News alerts.