COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) -
The South Carolina Gamecocks aren't the only championship baseball team in the Columbia area.
Earlier this week, the Columbia Blowfish won their first ever Coastal Plain League Championship with an 8-3 victory over Fayetteville.
Despite a deal by the City of Columbia to sell the land Capital City Stadium is built upon to a commercial real estate developer, the Blowfish may still get one more season at the stadium.
Per a clause in the contract between the city and Bright-Meyers, the company who purchased the land, the Blowfish are given the opportunity to enter a lease for use of the ballpark until Sept. 1, 2013.
Bright-Meyers has plans to knock down the stadium and put a 150,000 square foot store and an elevated parking garage in its place.
With the stadium gone, fans worried that the team would be without a place to play next season. This season had all the workings of a bittersweet ending with the Blowfish winning the Coastal Plain League championship.
Team owner Bill Shanahan has been working with Midlands leaders to try and find land for a brand new stadium. In a news conference earlier this year, Shanahan said ideally a new stadium would be able to accommodate between 3,500 and 6,000 fans that could also be used for football, soccer, and concerts.
Shanahan says after reading over the contract, he's optimistic that another season will take place at Capital City Stadium.
City Manager Steve Gantt says the developer has a lot to do before construction can start.
"He has to get, of course, a site plan review from the city, a notarized certification on his development from the city and the county. He'll have to get his building construction plans reviewed by the city. He'll also have to get a Corps of Engineers permit to relocate a stream that's been channellized through that property relocated," Gantt said.
Gantt says fixing the flooding and environmental problems associated with the Rocky Branch Watershed will take the most time.
He thinks it might take more than a year to get around to tearing down the stadium.
By then, city leaders might have a better idea whether another venue can be located for the Blowfish or even a minor league team.
"We need some kind of baseball," Gantt said. "Carolina's been very successful. I think we need an extension of that success, with some kind of baseball activity in the Columbia area."
Some have suggested a stadium for the former state hospital property on Bull Street.
Copyright 2012 WIS. All rights reserved.
