Franchise Notes

In Tampa, Steve Contorno notes Rays President Brian Auld on Thursday faced a St. Petersburg crowd for the first time since the team "announced a desire to move to Ybor City" near downtown Tampa. There are still some "hurt feelings among Rays fans" in St. Pete. Auld quickly noted that the team "wanted to build a new waterfront ballpark at Al Lang Stadium" in St. Pete, but the idea was "rejected by the community" ( TAMPA BAY TIMES, 3/9 ).

GROOMING THE FARM TEAM : USA TODAY's Scott Gleeson notes the Royals "hosted a seminar for minor-league players last week with the assistance of anti-porn group 'Fight the New Drug.'" Royals VP/Communication & Broadcasting Mike Swanson said that the seminar was "mainly for 'impressionable' minor-league players, and that the pornography discussion was just one part of the off-the-field education the team provides to players." Swanson added that Senior VP/Baseball Operations & GM Dayton Moore is "passionate about the issue" ( USA TODAY, 3/9 ).

HOPPING DATES : Minnesota United has "changed the time and date" of its match with Atlanta United that was set for Easter Sunday to the night of March 31. In Minneapolis, Megan Ryan noted the teams were "originally scheduled" to meet for an afternoon match on Easter (April 1). A team spokesperson said that the move was "done for the fans, who were concerned with how the match would impact their holiday plans" ( STARTRIBUNE.com, 3/7 ).