Mesa, Arizona, Interested In Hosting D'Backs For Spring Training
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D'Backs In Discussions To Relocate Spring
Training Camp From Tucson To Mesa |
The D'Backs and Mesa, Arizona, officials have held "preliminary discussions about building a two-team spring training facility near the proposed Gaylord resort and convention center in east Mesa," according to Scott Bordow of the EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE. Mesa Economic Development Project Manager Scott Rigby said that discussions "began in January after Mayor Scott Smith heard of the Diamondbacks' intentions to move their spring training operations" closer to Phoenix than their current location in Tucson. Smith: "We're trying to pull together our team and see how to present ourselves. ... I can tell you we won't be idle bystanders." D'Backs President & CEO Derrick Hall said that the team "sent out a request for proposal Friday to Mesa and five other potential bidders, giving them 30 days to come up with their bids." Hall said that the team "needs to identify a site by the end of spring training in order for the facility to be built by February 2011." Hall "would not identify the other sites," but a source said that the D'Backs are "looking at Gila River Indian Community land near Interstate 10 in Chandler, a potential three-team facility in Surprise, two locations in north Scottsdale and one in Casa Grande" (EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE, 2/28). Hall said that the team "wants at least four teams to train in Tucson to provide a competitive environment and wants to know this spring whether it will leave Tucson." Hall added that the team "would prefer to have its own facility, but during the difficult economic times it would agree to share a complex with another team." The Rockies, who currently share a Spring Training facility in Tucson with the D'Backs, have "also been exploring a move," but Rockies VP/Communications & PR Jay Alves said that the Rockies "have not sent out requests for proposals" (ARIZONA DAILY STAR, 3/1). Hall: "This is still not a guarantee that we will leave Tucson. We're doing our due diligence and trying to be out front on this." Hall added that the team "wants to gather all facts and consider its options" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 2/28).
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