• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About Us
  • Videos
    • Featured Video
    • Foodie Friday
    • Monthly ReCap
  • Online E-Editions
    • 2025
    • 2024
    • 2023
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
  • Social Media
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
  • Advertising
  • Local Jobs
  • Puzzles & Games
  • Circulation Request

The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

       

Click to join our weekly e-newsletter

  • Home
  • News
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills/East Pasco
    • Business Digest
    • Senior Parks
    • Nature Notes
    • Featured Stories
    • Photos of the Week
    • Reasons To Smile
  • Sports
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills and East Pasco
    • Check This Out
  • Education
  • Pets/Wildlife
  • Health
    • Health Events
    • Health News
  • What’s Happening
  • Sponsored Content
    • Closer Look
  • Homes
  • Obits
  • Public Notices
    • Browse Notices
    • Place Notices

Sheffield’s $3M pledge buys more time for baseball complex

November 26, 2014 By Michael Hinman

Late-game heroics are something Gary Sheffield became accustomed to during his 21-year professional athletic career. But his plans to build a massive baseball complex in Wesley Chapel is now in the bottom of the ninth, and the retired outfielder is going to need a grand slam to make it a reality.

James Talton, right, shares his plans with business leaders last month to build a 19-diamond baseball complex in the heart of Wesley Chapel’s Wiregrass Ranch area as his business partner, retired baseball star Gary Sheffield, listens in. (File photo)
James Talton, right, shares his plans with business leaders last month to build a 19-diamond baseball complex in the heart of Wesley Chapel’s Wiregrass Ranch area as his business partner, retired baseball star Gary Sheffield, listens in. (File photo)

Pasco County commissioners gave Sheffield and business partner James Talton until January to secure enough seed money to help Pasco Sports LLC build a 19-field complex not far from Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel in the Wiregrass Ranch area. Commissioners like new chair Ted Schrader was reluctant to give the developers the extra time, that is until Sheffield pledged $3 million of his own money to make sure it happens.

“I talked to my bankers, and at the end of the day when all this is said and done, if nobody comes in and does this, I’m going to use $3 million myself to take care of that note,” Sheffield told commissioners.

Sheffield and Talton have struggled to get financing for what has become a $34 million project to attract up-and-coming youth baseball players from around the country. One of the biggest sticking points is the land, Sheffield said, which would remain under the county’s control. Not having the more than 100 acres as collateral has made the overall project less attractive to investors.

Also complicating matters is the fact that Pasco Sports can only talk to one investor at a time, Sheffield said. Being forced to wait until an investor comes to a decision before Pasco Sports can approach someone else has pushed the project back for months. It also has put the county’s $11 million in tourist tax money in jeopardy.

“It’s a fantastic location and a great concept,” Schrader said during a meeting in Dade City last week. “We just have to make sure that we have the right partner.”

Commissioners had hoped to get the proof of financing they requested to give the baseball complex their blessing. However, without initial funding secured, nothing is concrete just yet.

Making the situation more difficult now are the holidays.

“In the financial world, if you don’t have a deal struck now, you’re not going to get anything done until the end of the year,” Schrader said. “Delaying this to the end of January is something I don’t have a problem with. I am concerned with the money they are going to be obligated to put forward, that those bills be paid for in an expedited manner when necessary.”

Pasco Sports would have until the beginning of December to turn over the necessary paperwork to show proof of financing. From there, the county will review the paperwork so that commissioners can act on it by the time the new year rolls around.

Commissioner Jack Mariano was concerned with high interest rates attached to the $3 million seed money — some 20 percent — fearing annual expenses to pay it could climb as high as $600,000.

“This was thrown together just to put something in front of us, and it’s very unstable,” he said.

Talton, however, assured Mariano that he’s not looking to pull out $3 million upfront, and then start paying back high interest rates. Instead, Pasco Sports would just use money when its needed to help cover initial bills, and are not obligated to use all — or any — of that $3 million.

“It’s just an incentive for that person (who offers the money) to step forward, and an incentive for us not to use it,” Talton said. “It’s absolutely normal to have a bridge loan at a high interest rate at the beginning of a project.”

The county has looked at Talton’s and Sheffield’s project as one that could bring in thousands of young baseball players and their families each year, and possibly even attract a Major League Baseball team to have spring training there.

Talton told members of the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce last October that his project could create an estimated 8,000 jobs and a $318 million annual economic impact boost to the county. Even the $11 million Pasco is investing would come back quickly, he said, as the project is estimated to pay the county $9 million in taxes and other costs.

Talton had hoped to spend as much as $70 million on the project, tapping into what he described as a $7 billion youth sports industry. However, the project has shrunk a bit as Pasco Sports failed to bring in the big investors it had hoped.

Commissioners approved the extension unanimously, delaying a final decision until January. But Schrader added a warning: this is the last extension.

Sheffield remains optimistic, just as he did last month when talking to local chamber members.

“We can’t predict how big this is going to be,” Sheffield said at the time. “And I think it’s going to be 10 times bigger than what James is putting to paper right now.”

See this story in print: Click Here

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Reddit
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Email
  • Print

Like this:

Like Loading...

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Primary Sidebar

Search

Sponsored Content

All-in-one dental implant center

June 3, 2024 By advert

  … [Read More...] about All-in-one dental implant center

WAVE Wellness Center — Tampa Bay’s Most Advanced Upper Cervical Spinal Care

April 8, 2024 By Mary Rathman

Tampa Bay welcomes WAVE Wellness Center, a state-of-the-art spinal care clinic founded by Dr. Ryan LaChance. WAVE … [Read More...] about WAVE Wellness Center — Tampa Bay’s Most Advanced Upper Cervical Spinal Care

More Posts from this Category

What’s Happening

Maxwell ready to serenade in Florida portion of tour

The soulful sounds of Maxwell have lingered on R&B and hip-hop playlists for more than 25 years. And Florida residents can hear those sounds live through The Serenade Tour.  The three-time Grammy Award-winner will perform at the Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood on Sept. 14 and at Amalie Arena in Tampa on Sept. 15.  Maxwell has released five albums since his debut: “Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite” (1996), “Embrya” (1998), “Now” (2001), “BLACKsummers'night” (2009) and ““blackSUMMERS’night” (2016).  His return to touring marks a reunion with Jazmine Sullivan, who joined him on his Maxwell 08 Tour. Sullivan’s discography includes “Fearless” (2008), “Love Me Back” (2010), “Reality Show” (2012) and “Heaux Tales” (2022). She won a Grammy for Best R&B Album for “Heaux Tales.” They’ll be joined by October London, who paid homage to Marvin Gaye on his album, “The Rebirth of Marvin.” His single, "Back to Your Place," has received plays on R&B … [Read More...] about Maxwell ready to serenade in Florida portion of tour

What’s Happening (01/08/25): Distefano returning to Tampa Theatre

TAMPA – Chris Distefano is coming back to Tampa Theatre, this time as part of his Chrissy Floridas tour. The performance starts at 8 p.m. March 14. Tickets range from $38.50 to $78.50 plus taxes and fees. Buy them at the Franklin Street Box Office and at tampatheatre.org. Distefano rose to success after performances on the “Guy Code/Girl Code” series.  He went on to star in IFC’s “Benders,” co-host the Netflix gameshow “Ultimate Beastmaster,” and starred in his own CBS sitcom. In 2022, Chris was selected by Jimmy Kimmel to host Jimmy’s latest TV venture, “Super Maximum Retro Show,” for ViceTV. His first full-length comedy special, “Size 38 Waist,” in 2019, encompassed his nice-guy charm and Brooklyn-born edge. His second special, “Speshy Weshy,” premiered on Netflix in May 2022. A third special is set to release in early 2025. When Distefano isn’t on stage, he’s on his couch recording podcasts, such as “Chrissy Chaos” with Mike Cannon, “Hey Babe!” With Impractical … [Read More...] about What’s Happening (01/08/25): Distefano returning to Tampa Theatre

What’s Happening (01/15/25): Podcast to come alive on stage

TAMPA – The McElroy Family will perform two shows Feb. 20 and 21 at Tampa Theatre. Their popular “My Brother, My Brother and Me” Is an advicecast for the modern era featuring three real-life brothers: Justin, Travis and Griffin McElroy. They will hold a live version of the podcast on stage at 7 p.m. Feb. 20  Launched in 2010 with new episodes dropping every Monday, the brothers McElroys will answer any query sent their way, each fielding questions falling into their respective areas of expertise.  Justin, Travis and Griffin have recruited their dad, Clint, for a campaign of high adventure at 7 p.m. Feb. 21. Just like its namesake podcast, the live tour invites fans to join the McElroys as they find their fortune and slay an unconscionable number of ... you know, kobolds or whatever in ... The Adventure Zone. Tickets cost $48.50 plus taxes and fees. Buy them at the Franklin Street Box Office and at www.tampatheatre.org.     Jan. 15 Art Club The … [Read More...] about What’s Happening (01/15/25): Podcast to come alive on stage

What’s Happening (01/22/25): SNL alum to perform at Tampa Theatre

TAMPA – Fred Armisen will bring his “Comedy for Musicians But Everyone is Welcome” tour to Tampa Theatre.  Armisen is an 11-season veteran of “Saturday Night Live,” but he has stayed busy with acting credits in “Portlandia,” “Wednesday” and “Los Espookys.”  He also voices characters in the hit animated “Super Mario Bros” movie as well as characters in “Big Mouth” and “The Mitchells vs. The Machines.”  Armisen is currently starring in the Broadway play “All In.” He also served as band leader of the 8G Band on “Late Night With Seth Meyers” from 2014 to 2024.  Tickets cost $48.50 plus applicable taxes and fees at the Franklin Street Box Office and at tampatheatre.org.    Jan. 22 Baby Storytime Babies, ages 0-1, and their caregivers gain a love for reading during Baby Storytime, a lap-sit program, at Land O’ Lakes Library. Call 813-929-1214 for details.  10:15-10:40 & 11:15-11:40 a.m.; 2818 Collier Pkwy., Land O’ Lakes   Toddler … [Read More...] about What’s Happening (01/22/25): SNL alum to perform at Tampa Theatre

What’s Happening (01/29/25): Grossology exhibit gets extension

Grossology exhibit gets extension TAMPA – The Museum of Science & Industry has decided to extend its Grossology: The (Impolite) Science of the Human Body through April 27. Grossology takes a fun and informative look at the ooey gooey things that go on inside our bodies, such as runny noses and body odor, using sophisticated animatronics and imaginative hands-on exhibits. Climb a human skin wall with warts, hairs, wounds and pimples that act as hand and foot holds or pump burp man full of soda from a three-foot-tall can, then help him get gassy relief with a booming belch.   Jan. 29 Baby Storytime Land O’ Lakes Library offers Baby Storytime, a lap-sit program meant to instill the love of reading in children at an early age. It is suitable for babies up to age 1 and their caregivers. Call 813-929-1214 for details.  10:15-10:40 & 11:15-11:40 a.m.; 2818 Collier Pkwy., Land O’ Lakes   Babytime Children, ages 0-2, and their caregivers engage … [Read More...] about What’s Happening (01/29/25): Grossology exhibit gets extension

What’s Happening (02/05/25): Hot Boys to reunite in Tampa

The Hot Boys to reunite in Tampa CHARLOTTE – Live Nation Urban announced an exclusive three-performance slate of shows headlined by Lil Wayne with special guests Hot Boys (B.G., Juvenile and Turk), presented by Lil’ WeezyAna.  The three-show run includes a stop Feb. 21 at Amalie Arena in Tampa. Buy tickets at lilweezyanafest.com. Lil Wayne, B.G., Juvenile and Turk took the stage together for the first time in over 15 years at last year’s sold-out Lil’ WeezyAna Fest in New Orleans. They treated audience members to a performance filled with hits like “I Need a Hot Girl” and “Neighborhood Superstar,” as well as their individual tracks like Juvenile’s “Back That Azz Up” and B.G.’s “Bling Bling.”    Feb. 5 Valentine's Stroll Buy Stop by the Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center  and find something for your sweetheart. The Friends of the Starkey Ranch Library will have a stroll buy through Feb. 12 with books, crafts, gifts and cards with a Valentine's Day … [Read More...] about What’s Happening (02/05/25): Hot Boys to reunite in Tampa

More of What's Happening

Archives

 

 

Where to pick up The Laker and Lutz News

Copyright © 2025 Community News Publications Inc.

   
%d