As some suggested, this is a day of celebration; a new day for the community. A second chance, if you will. I can't really disagree with that notion. I'm also not jumping through hoops set ablaze, either.
Understand that there are things that don't quite sit well. I'm not going to get into everything at this time, but just understand there are things that could have been handled better.
Namely, the whole process. One thing I learned from watching the Defenders leave and the Tigers arrive is that Minor League Baseball works at its own pace and has no problem trampling anyone or anything in its path.
A primary concern is that, at least publicly, the search to fill jobs won't really start until the relocation gets the good 'ol rubber stamp. That part is expected to be a technicality. Here's the rub: there are several minor league experienced people in town who can help make this transition smooth as possible. There are built-in relationships with the community/advertisers, etc. There are businesses who earmarked some money for baseball season BUT became tired of waiting around the holidays. Some have already spent their bucks. Others are on the verge. Meaning, the opportunity to rake in the maximum dollars available is already gone out the window. The dollars that linger, well, those are not under a cake lid like in the Geico commercials. These stacks of cash have someplace to go besides baseball.
Had Minor League Baseball -- and the New York Penn League -- not dragged its feet for months, the Tigers could have been up and running weeks, if not a month or more ago.
Don't be shocked if there are severe struggles this season especially if the Tigers are new faces top to bottom.
Big picture: Having a new team is good. I just hope that the late start and even later move to get into the local game doesn't doom the first season at Dodd Stadium.
