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Happy Tuesday, Athletics Nation!
The Athletics had a day off from scheduled spring ball yesterday, but things weren’t as quiet in Oakland over the weekend. Saturday, Oakland City Council member Carroll Fife held a community meeting in West Oakland that was focused on the A’s current ballpark project.
As reported by Roland Li of the San Francisco Chronicle, the meeting was largely attended by community members against the waterfront park. Fife was one of two council members who voted against the successful certification of the Environmental Impact Report last month, and in her weekend community meeting raised concerns that more research was required to determine the ballpark’s impact on West Oakland. The most concerning topic broached in this meeting to those in favour of the new park was that of a ballot measure being added to the November municipal election.
Adding a referendum about the new home for the A’s would increase the potential for delays for a ballpark that has already seen plenty. According to Li, the idea of a ballot measure wasn’t fully embraced by the Saturday crowd, noting that even after a municipal vote there would still be multiple City Council votes required. This consideration from Fife comes on the heels of the Seaport Planning Advisory Committee narrowly voting against recommending repurposing land for the ballpark. Neither the SPAC vote, nor Fife’s ballot measure, are the final nail in the coffin for Howard Terminal to host the Athletics, but both are representative of the potential struggles that could keep appearing as the ballpark project soldiers on.
Saturday was the first A’s President Dave Kaval had heard of a ballot measure, likely meaning that this idea hasn’t been bandied about City Hall for long. To become a reality, Fife would need to convince four other members of the Council to support the ballot measure. It would then be up to Oakland voters in November to decide the fate of the waterfront development. For now A’s fans will have to keep an eye on the potential of a referendum and if it grows into anything larger than Saturday’s initial proposal.
A recording of Saturday’s community meeting is available.
A’s Coverage
- Li: Oakland council member considering ballot measure to decide A’s ballpark fate ($)
- Reichard: Oakland council member raises potential referendum on $12B A’s ballpark project
- Gallegos: Manaea fights jitters, tries to ignore rumors in spring debut
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- MLB Pipeline: The latest on Athletics top prospects
- Yankees Mock Trade: Landing one of Oakland’s starting pitchers on the market
MLB News & Interest
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Best of Twitter
An info sheet from Oakland City Council member Carroll Fife’s community meeting last weekend
I was sent this pic of the Community Benefits info flyer that was passed out at Saturday's Town Hall. Some good info. pic.twitter.com/Qn00KjBDwB
— Casey Pratt (@CaseyPrattABC7) March 22, 2022
A similar proposal to Fife’s happened with the Sacramento Kings’ relocation a decade ago
This happened to us on Feb 7, 2012 during our arena relocation saga. City council voted 5-4 against the idea of one council member who made a motion to bring the arena issue to the voters in June. The council member knew about March 1 deadline to the NBA. There’s always that one. https://t.co/h6utRzIZWs
— Crown Downtown (@CrownDowntown) March 20, 2022
A manager shuffle at the low end of Oakland’s farm system
A minor-league switch: Franklin Font will manage the A's Low-A Stockton affiliate this season. Anthony Phillips, previously announced as Stockton's manager, will coach in the Arizona Complex League instead, per the A's. Font had been named Stockton's assistant hitting coach.
— Matt Kawahara (@matthewkawahara) March 21, 2022
Happy 29th, Frankie!
Happy birthday, @FrankieMontas! pic.twitter.com/Ba1IU134fl
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) March 21, 2022
The trucker-cap style spring training hats may not be the best for follically-challenged players
I’ve got a bone to pick with whoever designed these Spring Training hats… @MLB @MLBNetwork pic.twitter.com/hOyDe8poZg
— Jake Burger (@Burgatron13) March 20, 2022
The Rangers won 25-10 yesterday, potentially setting a spring record
25 runs is the most in any spring training game since at least 2006.
— Levi Weaver (@ThreeTwoEephus) March 22, 2022
Apparently before that, no detailed records were kept, since that was before computers were invented
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