Indians will remain at Winter Haven site

The Tribe has ended an attempt to find another spring training home.
CLEVELAND (AP) -- The Cleveland Indians ended months of trying to strike a deal to move their spring training elsewhere and announced plans Wednesday to stay in Winter Haven, Fla.
"From the very beginning of the process we have stated that remaining in Winter Haven, and continuing our commitment to the community and the programs and activities we have supported over the past 11 years, was a very viable option," said Dennis Lehman, team vice president.
The ballclub exercised one of its four five-year options to remain at Chain of Lakes Park for spring training through the 2008 season.
The Indians have trained in Winter Haven since 1993 and had trained in Tucson, Ariz., from 1947-92.
Port Charlotte
The Indians had been involved in extended talks with Port Charlotte, Fla., located along the southern Gulf coast, about moving spring training to the Charlotte Sports Park.
The team was seeking ballpark improvements, including expanded seating, but county commissioners opposed a deal making it an Indians-only facility year-round, Charlotte County Administrator Bruce Loucks said.
"We're disappointed," Loucks said. He said he was hopeful the county might be able to improve the facility in the next few years to attract the Indians after 2008.
Lee County, Fla., and the city of Fort Myers ended a two-year courtship of the Indians in May after officials decided they couldn't afford to build the training complex the team wanted. The Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins also train in Lee County.
The Texas Rangers had been training in Port Charlotte, but moved their camp to Arizona this year, leaving Port Charlotte without a team.