The Local Report

Miami-Dade County Commissioner Dennis Moss wants the Marlins to change their name to 'Miami Marlins' AND move their spring training games to Homestead.

'Both changes would help give the Marlins a stronger local identity and attract fans in South Miami-Dade, Mr. Moss said.

'The team is "not tied to a specific part of the community," Mr. Moss said Monday. "If we put up the money to build a stadium in Miami-Dade, the name should be changed."

'While the name change would strengthen the team's ties to local fans, bringing Grapefruit League baseball to Homestead offers tangible benefits such as tourist tax revenue that would be used to help fund the county's share of a new stadium, Mr. Moss said.'

Here's something I didn't know: 'Mr. Loria, who has an ownership interest in Roger Dean (!), was not available to confirm if there would be any restrictions on moving the Marlins' spring training to Homestead.' (MiamiToday)

MEANWHILE: The neighbors are getting P-O'ed over those middle-of-the-night Saturday Fireworks shows. (MiamiHerald)