So what's your vision of what Jacksonville could be?

[cline]

2) Personally, I'd love to see minor league hockey back in Jacksonville at the Arena. With the Jaguars, Florida/Georgia, the Sharks, Suns baseball, Giants basketball, TPC, and WTA Tennis in Amelia Island, the only major sport that doesn't have a decent local presence (that I know of) is hockey. Would be great to see it back and well promoted in Jacksonville.

The Amelia Island tennis tourney is now defunct.  They moved it to PV a couple years ago and then did away with it.  I think it had more to do with the WTA then it did with the location though.  I'm with you on the AAA team.  They had an opportunity a couple of years ago with the Braves I think but it didn't happen.

[Adam W]

2) Personally, I'd love to see minor league hockey back in Jacksonville at the Arena. With the Jaguars, Florida/Georgia, the Sharks, Suns baseball, Giants basketball, TPC, and WTA Tennis in Amelia Island, the only major sport that doesn't have a decent local presence (that I know of) is hockey. Would be great to see it back and well promoted in Jacksonville.

The Amelia Island tennis tourney is now defunct.  They moved it to PV a couple years ago and then did away with it.  I think it had more to do with the WTA then it did with the location though.  I'm with you on the AAA team.  They had an opportunity a couple of years ago with the Braves I think but it didn't happen.

I was sad to learn the Barracudas had left or folded. I went to a few of their games and had a great time.

[fsquid]

Why AAA baseball?  I don't think it would make financial sense since the closest teams would be Charlotte and Gwinett.  Florida just doesn't fit the Pacific Coast League or International League territory.

[Tacachale]

^We should pursue AAA baseball because we're an appropriately sized city, have a proven history of supporting minor league baseball, and, significantly, we've already got a AAA stadium. True, it would be tricky to land a team for several reasons, but it could be done pretty quickly if we prioritize it. I'd hope we could keep the Suns name though.

I agree with the about hockey. An ECHL team at the Arena would be a good fit for us, if not AHL.

I also think we'd make a good market for pro soccer, at least in the second or third tier leagues. I'd also like to see UNF and JU basketball become more competitive and a bigger draw for the community.

[ben says]

Whatever happened to the Jacksonville Lizard Kings...?!

[Adam W]

^We should pursue AAA baseball because we're an appropriately sized city, have a proven history of supporting minor league baseball, and, significantly, we've already got a AAA stadium. True, it would be tricky to land a team for several reasons, but it could be done pretty quickly if we prioritize it. I'd hope we could keep the Suns name though.

I agree with the about hockey. An ECHL team at the Arena would be a good fit for us, if not AHL.

I also think we'd make a good market for pro soccer, at least in the second or third tier leagues. I'd also like to see UNF and JU basketball become more competitive and a bigger draw for the community.

Pro soccer is a good idea. There are a lot of soccer fans in Jax and I think their numbers will grow. They could play in a smaller stadium and not have to play in a mostly-empty Gator Bowl.

[cline]

Why AAA baseball?  I don't think it would make financial sense since the closest teams would be Charlotte and Gwinett.  Florida just doesn't fit the Pacific Coast League or International League territory.

Well, before Pensacola joined the league (this year) the closest Southern League teams to Jax were Mobile and Montgomery, both about equally as far as Charlotte and Gwinnett.

[fsujax]

Oh wow! the Lizard Kings! brings back some memroies from high school days. Personally, I am fine with the AA ball club. I enjoy going to the games.

[cline]

^We should pursue AAA baseball because we're an appropriately sized city, have a proven history of supporting minor league baseball, and, significantly, we've already got a AAA stadium. True, it would be tricky to land a team for several reasons, but it could be done pretty quickly if we prioritize it. I'd hope we could keep the Suns name though.

I agree with the about hockey. An ECHL team at the Arena would be a good fit for us, if not AHL.

I also think we'd make a good market for pro soccer, at least in the second or third tier leagues. I'd also like to see UNF and JU basketball become more competitive and a bigger draw for the community.

Pro soccer is a good idea. There are a lot of soccer fans in Jax and I think their numbers will grow. They could play in a smaller stadium and not have to play in a mostly-empty Gator Bowl.

In the early 80's Jax had the Tea Men.  The also had the Cyclones in the 90's. 

[fsquid]

Why AAA baseball?  I don't think it would make financial sense since the closest teams would be Charlotte and Gwinett.  Florida just doesn't fit the Pacific Coast League or International League territory.

Well, before Pensacola joined the league (this year) the closest Southern League teams to Jax were Mobile and Montgomery, both about equally as far as Charlotte and Gwinnett.

Good point, hadn't thought of that.  I guess you don't have the long trips into the Northeast and Midwest with the current layout though.   It doesn't have anything to do with being an "appropriately sized city", it has to do with what the current owners think they can make money off of.

[Tacachale]

^There's no doubt an owner would make money here, especially with the stadium basically ready to go. The travel issue isn't really that much of an issue. The real issue would be current owners of the Suns, who'd have to sell the AA franchise. Historically they haven't wanted to (they've got a sweet deal here, playing in an excellent park they didn't pay for in a city of 1.3 million; they top their league in attendance even with their pretty lackluster marketing). But like I say, it could happen right quick if city leadership prioritized it. We built a AAA park, it's time to see some AAA ball in it.

[blizz01]

We built a AAA park, it's time to see some AAA ball in it.

I'm not convinced that it's worth the effort right now.  How much of a drop off is there from AAA to AA?  To me, AA is seems to be where you'll see most of your prospects & on-deck stars (who skip AAA altogether - like Stanton); whereas AAA seems to be somewhat stagant & house older/journeymen players - albeit, overall I'd agree that the cumulative talent level in AAA is better.  I also like that when the stud players are rehabbing, they will typically drop to AA & often pass through the Baseball Grounds.   Considering that they're both minor/farm league entities, what does Jacksonville stand to gain if we're already setting attendance records based on the current/recognized brand?  Not much accomplished in fighting for AAA; I say all or nothing - go for the BIGS! (Or, use the stadium for MLS games, too). 

[fsquid]

AAA is where a MLB team parks the 15 players who are a part of the 40 man roster, but not the 25 MLB roster.  The latest trend has been to keep your top prospects in AA, playing against other top young prospects and then calling them straight up.  AAA is being used more for rehab assignments and to house the 15 players I described above.   You are going to see good baseball regardless of which team is here.

[cline]

^There's no doubt an owner would make money here, especially with the stadium basically ready to go. The travel issue isn't really that much of an issue. The real issue would be current owners of the Suns, who'd have to sell the AA franchise. Historically they haven't wanted to (they've got a sweet deal here, playing in an excellent park they didn't pay for in a city of 1.3 million; they top their league in attendance even with their pretty lackluster marketing). But like I say, it could happen right quick if city leadership prioritized it. We built a AAA park, it's time to see some AAA ball in it.

They top the league in attendance because they play in the largest market in their league.  They also have a good in-game experience that caters to many different folks on different nights.

Yes, the owner would have to sell to get a AAA team but their would also have to be a AAA team available and willing to move from down to Jax.  Like I said there was an opportunity with the Braves a few years ago, it didn't happen.  I think there's other more pressing priorities right now.

[cline]

AAA is where a MLB team parks the 15 players who are a part of the 40 man roster, but not the 25 MLB roster.  The latest trend has been to keep your top prospects in AA, playing against other top young prospects and then calling them straight up.  AAA is being used more for rehab assignments and to house the 15 players I described above.   You are going to see good baseball regardless of which team is here.

This is true.  Many of the top prospects go directly from AA into the bigs.  That's why we got to see Mike Stanton (I mean Giancarlo Stanton) kill it here and then get called up directly to the Marlins in the same season (2010).