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Staying in Tucson for spring a priority for Rockies

Logistics might be issue for team

By Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News

Published February 21, 2008 at 12:45 a.m.

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The Rockies have taken steps to try to ensure their spring training camp stays at Hi Corbett Field, where they have been based since their inception in 1993.

Questions about the Rockies' status have been broached because of the Chicago White Sox's plans to move from Tucson to Glendale, Ariz., where they will share a facility with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

"We would like to believe our needs can be addressed," Rockies president Keli McGregor said Wednesday of talks with Tucson officials about improvements the Rockies would like to see made at Hi Corbett Field. "With four years left (on the lease), we normally would not be addressing certain concerns, but the White Sox have accelerated our conversations with (Tucson officials)."

The Rockies' lease allows them to opt out if three teams do not train in Tucson.

McGregor said he believes it can be a workable situation even if the Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks are the only teams training in Tucson, although the organizations would need concessions.

Among the teams' needs are a priority among Arizona- based teams in scheduling spring training games because of the logistics of traveling from the Phoenix area to Tucson.

"Two teams is not ideal," McGregor said. "I'd like to think we would have three teams with an eventual expansion to four or five."

Cincinnati is in discussions with Goodyear officials about moving from Sarasota, Fla., to that Phoenix-area city, where it would share a facility with the Cleveland Indians.

But there are questions about the ability of Maricopa County to finance another new facility, which could lead the Reds to consider replacing the White Sox at Hi Corbett Field.

The White Sox face steep financial penalties if they move before their lease expires in 2012, but their facility in Glendale will be ready for occupancy by next spring training.