Sarasota

The Chicago White Sox may be only weeks away from deciding whether to move their spring training camp fromSarasota, Fla., to a Phoenix suburb."We could go to the City Council as soon as next Tuesday," Glendale, Ariz., Mayor George Renner said yesterday.White Sox board chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, who has homes in Arizona, was traveling and unavailable for comment. But Doug Abel, the team's director of media relations, confirmed the White Sox had "had preliminary discussions with officials in Arizona."

The Orioles hope to combine their major league and minor league operations soon, but the minor leaguers continue to train at Twin Lakes Park in Sarasota. The major leaguers trained there for a couple of springs in the early 1990s, and there was some talk about building a permanent facility there before the team moved back to the East Coast of Florida. Now, there's talk that the Cincinnati Reds will soon vacate the nearby Ed Smith Stadium complex and head for Arizona - which would make that facility available to another team - but the Orioles seem unlikely to head back in that direction, even if the tentative deal in Fort Lauderdale falls through.

The Chicago White Sox again appear to be entertaining offers to move their spring training site to Arizona, which could help the Orioles gain a permanent spring home.If the White Sox are seriously considering an overture from the city of Scottsdale, Ariz., the Orioles would have to be interested in taking their place as the chief tenant of Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Fla. The club played some home games there in 1991, but currently shares Al Lang Stadium in nearby St. Petersburg with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Second baseman Alexi Casilla continues to improve from the finger injury he suffered Sunday at Tampa Bay, but he is once again out of the lineup with Ryan Flaherty earning the start Wednesday against the Los Angeles Angels. “It still hurts a little bit,” Casilla said. “It'll be sore. I haven't thrown yet. I'm going to throw and see how I feel.” The switch-hitter said he is having trouble gripping the ball and applying pressure when he throws. He threw once Tuesday and was going to attempt to throw again before Wednesday's game.

The Orioles announced that they will wear green-and-black caps during their split-squad games Sunday as part of their "Go Green" Day at Ed Smith Stadium and St. Patrick's Day. The Orioles host the Minnesota Twins and also play against the Philadelphia Phillies in Clearwater. Afterward, the caps will be autographed and auctioned online at www.orioles.com/spring , with proceeds to benefit the Mote Marine Laboratory Animal Hospitals. The Sarasota-based hospitals treat animals that have been harmed due to damage to the environment.

GEORGE S. BLOME, JR. who was called Geo by family and friends, died in his sleep in Sarasota, FL on November 27, 2006. A native of Baltimore, MD, Geo graduated from Polytechnic High School in 1941, where he played Varsity Lacross and was a swimmer. Before graduating from Johns Hopkins in 1947, Geo enlisted in WWII Navy Program at Cornell U. He spent 18 months on minesweepers in Japan. Recalled to active duty in the Korean War was Lt. Commander-Naval Reserve, Geo worked for the Supervisor of Shipbuilding in NYC and Baltimore.

On April 22, 2004, LORRAINE E. CRAWFORD, 84, of Sarasota, FL, formerly of Baltimore. Born May, 23, 1919. She was a member of the North United Methodist Church, Sarasota, FL and a Former Matron Order of Easter Star, Baltimore, MD. Survived by cousins; Betty Ann Milstead and Ethel P. Klein, both of Sarasota, FL. Memorial Service, Friday, May 7, 2004, at 2:30 P.M. at North United Methodist Church, Sarasota. Please make memorial contributions to Hospice of Southwest Florida, 5955 Rand Blvd.

Date; Time; Opponent; Location (all times p.m.; home games in bold; ss- split squad) Monday, March 5; 1:05; ss@Rays (ss); Port Charlotte Monday, March 5; 7:05; ss vs. Pirates (ss); Sarasota Tuesday, March 6; 1:35; @Red Sox; Fort Myers Wednesday, March 7; 1:05; Twins; Sarasota Thursday, March 8; 1:05; Braves; Sarasota Friday, March 9; 1:05; @Rays; Port Charlotte Saturday, March 10; 1:05; @Phillies; Clearwater Sunday, March 11; 1:05; Red Sox; Sarasota Monday, March 12; 1:05; @Blue Jays; Dunedin Tuesday, March 13; 1:05; Rays; Sarasota Wednesday, March 14; 1:05; Pirates; Sarasota Thursday, March 15; 1:05; @Tigers; Lakeland Friday, March 16; 1:05; @Twins (ss)

John L. Coder Services will be at the Glen Ridge in Sarasota. National Cremation & Burial Society, 2990 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, FL 34239, is handling arrangements.