According to mlb.com, the vote for the new Ballpark in Miami has been finalized for the Marlins, which will open in 2012

Miami-Dade County commissioners on Monday put to rest more than a decade-long quest by voting in favor of a retractable-roof ballpark for the Marlins on the Orange Bowl grounds. Commissioners cast two separate votes, the first came back, 9-4, and the second was 10-3.

As all of you may know, the Marlins have struggled to get a new ball park for a long time, as their attendance numbers have been horribly low, even despite getting two championships in their 15-year franchise history. Their ball park has been the main factor, as in the summer time, the weather is miserable, from either thunderstorms, or nasty, humid heat. It's no wonder that the attendance is as low as it is, having to watch a baseball team play in a football stadium in that weather. I understand that this probably has little relevance to most people here, since Miami is the farthest city in the continental US from Seattle, but as a former South Florida resident, and a part-time Marlins fan, this is a big deal. I can tell you from personal experience that the stadium is pretty depressing. And for a city with such a big hispanic population, major league baseball should be thriving, but the current stadium is holding the team and baseball back. 

For those of you that don't know, the Marlins currently suffer the same problem as the A's, smart management but small budget. Ironically, I believe the A's also will have their new ballpark open in 2012. I wouldn't be surprised if both of these teams go far in the playoffs once their stadiums open. 

Since we all also currently have WBC fever, I thought this would be interesting to point out. 

Last week, Dolphin Stadium was the site of second-round games of the World Baseball Classic.

The Marlins will seek hosting the finals of the 2013 World Baseball Classic. And the organization is confident it will be awarded an MLB All-Star Game within a few years after the doors in the new park are open.

This would be great for Miami, especially if Cuba, or any other Latin American team make it to the final round. And the stadium looks great, I can't wait to go. As you may notice, the Marlins borrowed their stadium design from the M's, with the Umbrella type, sliding retractable roof, which covers the top, but doesn't fully enclose the stadium. And I am still pulling for A-rod to one day be player/owner of the team. 

via mlb.mlb.com

Edit: I just saw that someone posted the link to the article under Fan Shots already, so I am late. But I put too much effort into this to take it down.