The surprise announcement by the Atlanta Braves to leave the Summerhill community for new digs in Cobb County left readers stunned.
We asked on our Facebook page what fans thought and most said they were disappointed by the decision.
Reader Carol Seeger wrote the move is a "huge blow to the downtown area. Personally, I won't travel to Cobb to see the Braves," she said, noting "they promised Atlanta less than 10 months ago that they would not move. Where is Mayor Reed in these negotiations? Too busy getting rich off the Falcon's new stadium deal?"
Others said they didn't see themselves remaining as fans of a baseball team whose storied roster of players includes Hank Aaron, Chipper Jones and John Smoltz.
It's "devastating news for Atlanta," said Debra Aring. "I attend about a dozen games a year. As an ITPer, they have lost my business and support."
Some readers said city inaction with respect to development in the area around Turner Field.
"I feel this has to do with our mismanagement of parking fees, inept police force, crime, and lack of retail area around the stadium. If the city would have used their 50 percent of the parking fees to rebuild the surrounding areas and clean it up, then the Braves would still be here," wrote Jeffrey Spatz.
"Instead, no one know's where the money is (lost somewhere in the police department) and thus the surrounding area offers crack, head wounds, pan handlers, and car thefts. All of which is not the way Atlanta wants to represent themselves. Our community leaders are to blame for this. They had their chance and blew it!"
Still others see it as an opportunity to reshape the area.
"This sounds like a great opportunity to reclaim Turner Field and surrounding areas," wrote Justine L.
"How about a park that gets used daily by in-town families instead catering to suburban folks that swarm and desert the area with no intention of making it better. Instead of one big seasonal franchise, what about restaurants, boutiques, and businesses that provide for the area year-round?"
What do you think of the decision to move the team outside the city? Do you support it? Will you remain a fan?
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