I’m conservative by nature, and would never be comfortable overlooking this restriction.  

Prices a few years ago were based on expectations of (in addition to interest rates staying low): - Then current operating cost assumptions (like insurance cost expectations being flat)- A seeming disregard for record levels of new inventory / supply hitting the market- Extremely high inbound migration expectations which are likely to not be met, due to both natural disasters and the boomerang effect when people from California or the Northeast move to the American South and hate every minute of the humidity, the large and relentless swarm of insects, and the occasional hurricane. 

But given that it expressly includes a specific performance provision I would not be ignoring it… and neither would a judge or mediator.Real estate is unique by nature.

It's probably unlikely anything too bad would happen excluding natural catastrophes but why take the risk if the profit potential isn't there?

It’s just the nature of the beast.

Since I have a long-term interest in getting into hotel investing, this feels like a natural stepping stone, but I want to approach it the right way.I feel like this is such a great opportunity, especially with it being off market.

You have a natural advantage with other baseball players and providing them leases that fit their needs.Knowing a couple of others who have played minor league ball, your real estate strategy is going to be tricky because you will be very busy with baseball and it's travel. 

Our offices are in the southern parts of the US so naturally we're more comfortable with buying in our backyard.

Just curious, when you mentioned other strategies, did you mean strategies such as Air B&B, guest homes, glamping, things of that nature?

It counteracts human nature, which is laziness, greediness, self-centeredness.