Quick Hits...

• According to the Baltimore Sun, the state of Florida has agreed to grant Fort Lauderdale $15 million over 30 years to help the Orioles redo their spring training facility in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The measure to fund the project was approved quickly and the money from the state will come from proceeds from the state’s sales tax. The site will be upgraded with additional fields, for soccer and baseball with the adjoining field, Lockhart Stadium being torn down in the next few years to make room for the improvements. Fort Lauderdale Stadium, meanwhile, will be rebuilt with 7,000 fixed seats and grass space with room for 2,000 fans.
  
  
• Roch Kutabko describes how Sam Perlozzo and members of the front office were able to persuade Free agent Aubrey Huff to join the Orioles.
  
  
• Jeff Zrebeic writes how the group of Hayden Penn, Erik Bedard, Daniel Cabrera and Adam Loewen are the keys for a turn-around for the Baltimore Orioles.
  
  
• Rock Kubatko in his blog opines about opening day and the Orioles farm system for ’07.
  
  
• Non Baseball-Related - You Always Follow the Money, Silly: Nick Saban has left the Dolphins to join Alabama back in the SEC. He was 15-17 with the Dolphins, and like many college coaches who have tried the NFL, he didn’t seem to make the transition as smoothly. Even though he said he was not going to leave the Dolphins & issued denial after denial; in the end, he did like I thought he would. He's returning to the familiar, being the big dog again and the life of college football is far easier then the NFL, so let’s wish Nick Saban good luck.