Joined: 10 Aug 2006
Posts: 266
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2006 10:04 pm Post subject: More speculation about new Spring Training teams
Suggests a good possibility of Cleveland playing in Goodyear in 2009, and maybe the Dodgers, too. Nothing new in terms of the speculation, but it seems that Cleveland is close.
Joined: 10 Aug 2006
Posts: 2272
Location: Gold Canyon
Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2006 10:13 pm Post subject: Re: More speculation about new Spring Training teams
DesertKnight wrote:
Suggests a good possibility of Cleveland playing in Goodyear in 2009, and maybe the Dodgers, too. Nothing new in terms of the speculation, but it seems that Cleveland is close.
The area around Goodyear, Avondale, Tolleson, and Buckeye is projected to see huge growth over the next several years, and it makes perfect sense to complement that increased population with an opportunity to see Cactus League games.
Yeah, they're talking about 800,000 in the Hassayampa Valley in Buckeye in the next 20 years. Doesn't seem sustainable, but those are the plans right now.
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Joined: 10 Aug 2006
Posts: 2272
Location: Gold Canyon
Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 6:05 am Post subject:
It's official now.
Lynh Bui / The Arizona Republic this morning wrote:
Cleveland Indians sign deal to train in Valley Team returns to Cactus League fold; will play in $77.5 mil Goodyear facility
The Cleveland Indians are coming back to Arizona.
The Major League Baseball team Thursday agreed to move its spring training home from Winter Haven, Fla., to Goodyear.
In a letter dated Sept. 21 to the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority, the Indians confirmed the team's desire to head west.
"We enthusiastically support the application of the city of Goodyear to the Sports and Tourism Authority of Arizona as part of the process of bringing Cleveland Indians baseball and its fans to Arizona," states the letter, signed by Cleveland Indians President Paul Dolan. "We eagerly look forward to developing a long-term relationship with the city of Goodyear and the state of Arizona."
The Indians trained in Tucson until 1992 and had been considering relocating their spring training operations to the Orlando area.
Goodyear leaders and team representatives spent Thursday ironing out details that would commit the Indians to the southwest Valley, making it the Cactus League's 13th team.
The next step is to apply for public funding from the sports authority to help pay for the proposed $77.5 million facility near Estrella Parkway and Bullard Avenue.
A financial plan from the city shows the deal relies on sports authority money for about $60 million of the project, which envisions a 10,000-seat stadium.
The sports authority has told Goodyear and Glendale, which also is in the running for a spring training complex, that it favors a two-team facility.
Erik Judson, a Goodyear consultant hired to bring spring training to the city, said getting a commitment from the Indians is a huge first step in that direction.
"The deal is a great catalyst for discussions with other teams," Judson said. "It shows a level of certainty and commitment that should be compelling to other teams."
Another team sought
Judson and Goodyear officials said the city has been in talks with a second unnamed team that is also part of Florida's Grapefruit League.
"I think getting the one team is crucial," Goodyear Mayor Jim Cavanaugh said. "But both the Cleveland Indians and the city of Goodyear prefer a two-team facility. That's what we're going to try to achieve, and we will do that together."
The Los Angeles Dodgers have ruled out a move to Goodyear, according to Camille Johnston, a senior vice president for the team.
Meanwhile, Glendale has been negotiating with several teams since spring, said Julie Frisoni, a spokeswoman for the city.
Despite Goodyear's momentum, Frisoni is confident this won't spoil Glendale's plans for a baseball stadium in Glendale, home to the new Cardinals Stadium.
"The city of Glendale has been very good at negotiating some very large agreements over the last couple of years," Frisoni said. "We remain confident in our prospects and what we will bring forth in a short time frame."
Brad Parker, spokesman for the sports authority, said the city that gets the first team doesn't automatically get first dibs on funding.
"In the interest of the entire county, you'll see the board entertain as many proposals as possible," Parker said, adding that it's unlikely that both cities would get funding.
"But in the end, it's all great news," he said Thursday night, referring to the Indians' commitment.
Goodyear and the Indians still have to sign a memorandum of understanding to cement the deal. Cavanaugh hopes to complete the document next week.
"The stadium will be ready for spring training in 2009, but the practice fields will be ready in the spring of 2008 for the Indians to use for their younger players," Cavanaugh said.
If the sports authority supports Goodyear's bid for spring training, the city would share some of the $200 million-plus the Cactus League pumps into Arizona's economy each year.
Last season, the league sold $1.6 million in spring training tickets. Attendance at Cactus League games has surpassed the 1 million mark for the past five years.
Joined: 10 Aug 2006
Posts: 1658
Location: Researching my theory that a lime hat is more effective than tinfoil
Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 9:22 am Post subject:
It's funny how the West Side of the valley is really coming into its own now. All the popular arena concerts are now held in Glendale, almost all of the ST games are on the West, and even the Cardinals are there.
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