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DENVER -- The departure of the White Sox from their Spring Training home in Tucson, Ariz., has the Rockies kicking into high gear efforts to figure out their Spring Training future.
The White Sox on Tuesday completed the steps necessary to move from Tucson to Glendale, Ariz., near Phoenix. The move leaves Tucson with two teams, the Rockies at Hi Corbett Field -- where they've been since their inaugural spring in 1993 -- and the D-backs at Tucson Electric Park. Language in the leases of the Rockies and the D-backs allows each team to leave if there are fewer than three teams in Tucson.
Rockies president Keli McGregor said Tuesday the club continues to talk with public and private groups in the Tucson area. One idea is a new complex in Marana, Ariz., just northwest of Tucson. But the club also is exploring a future in the Phoenix area.
"We really don't have anything to update right now," McGregor said. "We've had numerous discussions over the last two years, and there will be more. We're still hopeful, and we're working with the people in Tucson. But when the legislation failed, we started to look at all our options and engage in a lot of discussions."
Efforts toward a new complex, which potentially could attract more teams to the area, took a hit last year when the Arizona State Legislature adjourned without voting on the formation of a sports authority for the Tucson area.
McGregor said he has been told it's doubtful the state of Arizona will revisit the Tucson Spring Training situation because of "various issues" that figure to take precedence.
McGregor spoke from Major League Baseball owners meetings in New York and said the Rockies and D-backs were in line for discussions of their options.
The biggest Spring Training issue for the Rockies and D-backs will be travel. With three teams, there were enough games in Tucson to cut down on the issue of having to spend nights in the Phoenix area. The Phoenix-area teams likewise face the same issues. Logistics and travel will be major issues. Before the D-backs and White Sox began training at TEP in 1998, the Rockies endured those difficult issues.
McGregor said there are other challenges.
"You have to look at all your needs, because it's really a year-round facility, with not only Major League Spring Training but extended Spring Training, the fall instructional program and a possible rookie league," McGregor said.
The White Sox on Tuesday completed the steps necessary to move from Tucson to Glendale, Ariz., near Phoenix. The move leaves Tucson with two teams, the Rockies at Hi Corbett Field -- where they've been since their inaugural spring in 1993 -- and the D-backs at Tucson Electric Park. Language in the leases of the Rockies and the D-backs allows each team to leave if there are fewer than three teams in Tucson.
Rockies president Keli McGregor said Tuesday the club continues to talk with public and private groups in the Tucson area. One idea is a new complex in Marana, Ariz., just northwest of Tucson. But the club also is exploring a future in the Phoenix area.
"We really don't have anything to update right now," McGregor said. "We've had numerous discussions over the last two years, and there will be more. We're still hopeful, and we're working with the people in Tucson. But when the legislation failed, we started to look at all our options and engage in a lot of discussions."
Efforts toward a new complex, which potentially could attract more teams to the area, took a hit last year when the Arizona State Legislature adjourned without voting on the formation of a sports authority for the Tucson area.
McGregor said he has been told it's doubtful the state of Arizona will revisit the Tucson Spring Training situation because of "various issues" that figure to take precedence.
McGregor spoke from Major League Baseball owners meetings in New York and said the Rockies and D-backs were in line for discussions of their options.
The biggest Spring Training issue for the Rockies and D-backs will be travel. With three teams, there were enough games in Tucson to cut down on the issue of having to spend nights in the Phoenix area. The Phoenix-area teams likewise face the same issues. Logistics and travel will be major issues. Before the D-backs and White Sox began training at TEP in 1998, the Rockies endured those difficult issues.
McGregor said there are other challenges.
"You have to look at all your needs, because it's really a year-round facility, with not only Major League Spring Training but extended Spring Training, the fall instructional program and a possible rookie league," McGregor said.
