A local citizen group says the Baltimore Orioles are not doing what they said they would do for area youth. Sarasota Citizens for Responsible Government claims the team has not started on a baseball academy, that fields are off limits, and that the Orioles are taking money which could go towards youth programs. Orioles officials say things have been delayed because of the same groups lawsuit against the county.

President of the group Cathy Antunes says the Orioles are not helping local youth. "There has been a very disappointing lack of commitment on the Orioles part in terms of actually following through with they've promised."

To start with fields typically used for local youth tournaments are set to be off limits. Representatives with the Orioles say that's true but only because a lawsuit filed by the same group to stop the rebuilding of ed smith has set them back. "The stadium is still undergoing significant renovation that were delayed from last summer due to the lawsuit," says Greg Bader.

Antunes also points to what she says was another promise to be built at Twin Lakes Park. "They said they would start on the Cal Ripken Academy immediately."

Again the Orioles say they have to finish the stadium and practice fields first. "We see no down side to doing it. We very much want to do it and once we are able to focus our attention away from finalizing Ed Smith then we will be able to turn our attention to the youth academy."

The citizens group wants the county to terminate a parking contract with the Orioles. A portion of the proceeds from parking at the youth sports complex across the street from the stadium does go to the orioles. "We feel it's inappropriate for the Orioles to be looking for ways to put more money in their pocket when they know our youth leagues need that money."

Antunes says they take in 36% of the proceeds. The Orioles and Bader say most of the money raised goes directly to youth programs with a few bucks to them to enforce security. "The orioles see a small fraction of that. Like $2 or $3 per car."

County commissioners we talked to say in the end the fields will be in better shape, tournaments will soon go on again, and an academy could be coming too. Antunes says we'll see but in the meantime local youth are not seeing enough of a benefit. "The orioles are an organization that when they make something a priority they get it done. The fact of the matter is this just is not a priority for them."

Tax payers put down $31 million dollars to help renovate the stadium.

Orioles team officials say they've taken over all maintenance costs to the facilities they manage which are also used by many local high schools and the central Sarasota little league. They say the operate them at a loss.