Major League Baseball

Some members of the Tampa City Council and Hillsborough County Commission cited the economic impact a new Rays stadium and development in Tampa would have on the region, while others questioned the financial hit and terms of the agreement.

The Hillsborough County Commission voted 5-2 on Friday in favor of a new stadium and mixed-use development for the Tampa Bay Rays on Hillsborough College property in Tampa. It follows approval by the Tampa City Council a day earlier.

The 4-3 vote came near the end of an eight-hour meeting. The Hillsborough County Commission has a special meeting at 9 a.m. Friday to take up what has become a fluid "final" financing agreement.

Among the changes in the 134-page contract from May's nonbinding MOU: The Rays increased their commitment by $100 million, to $1.37 billion, with a corresponding decrease in the public contribution.

The city council voted 4-3 to approve a motion to place the stadium issue on the agenda for the meeting — despite not having a draft of the agreement, which is still stuck at the negotiating table.

A draft is expected to go public Thursday. The agreement, which will include recent proposals by Councilman Bill Carlson, would then be added to upcoming agendas for the city council and county commission.

On Monday, the Rays are scheduled to announce the firm that will oversee building the ballpark. Meantime, Hillsborough College President Ken Atwater says definitive agreements on financing could reach local officials within days.

The group seeking to bring Major League Baseball to Orlando asked a tourist tax task force for $975 million for a project that would include a stadium. The Orange County Commission will make a final determination.

The Rays, who have the best record in the American League, acquired veteran starter Freddy Peralta from the Mets and power-hitting catcher/first baseman Liam Hicks from the Marlins.

Bill Carlson says he learned of negotiated changes in the $976 million contribution during a meeting with Rays CEO Ken Babby, who recently opened individual discussions with council members.

Mayor Jane Castor says council members have been kept informed and explains her frustration was over last week's votes, but remains optimistic a deal can be done that maintains Tampa's role in the project.

In the wake of two city council votes that could set back the project, the Rays brought out illustrations to reinforce their view that the venue is a year-round "economic engine" that goes beyond baseball.