The Tucson Sidewinders of the PCL are being sold and reportedly moving to Reno after 2008. What do you think the chances are that the Sox might relocate the Charlotte Knights to Tucson, since it's the Sox spring training site?

The Tucson Sidewinders of the PCL are being sold and reportedly moving to Reno after 2008. What do you think the chances are that the Sox might relocate the Charlotte Knights to Tucson, since it's the Sox spring training site?

 

This is yet another blow to baseball in Tucson.

 

Anyways in answer to your question, the answer is zero, because the White Sox will be having spring training in Glendale sooner than later, and also because the Sox like most of their farm teams clustered together to facilitate evaluation and player movement, if necessary. The obvious "sore thumb" as it were is Great Falls but all the others are short driving distance from one another.

The latest on the spring training scene:

 

- Rockies have approached Tucson officials asking for huge improvements to Hi Corbett Stadium (which needs it). Goodyear AZ has approached the Rockies about moving in the new facility in 2009, partnering with Cleveland.

 

- White Sox continuing to say they will find a replacement team for the Tucson market in order to move to Glendale for 2009 without incurring a lease penalty.

 

- Cincinnati Reds have their referendum request for ballpark improvements voted down. Their future in Sarasota is now in doubt. Arizona Sport Commission is trying to steer the Reds to Tucson but barriers exist, namely the lack of direct flights from Cincinnati to Tucson. The only other team with a seemingly shaky Florida situation is Baltimore, who have had trouble working with Ft. Lauderdale officials to get improvements. Baltimore makes little sense for an Arizona move. At one of last years games at Hi Corbett in Tucson, questionaires were given to fans, asking about other teams they'd like to see in Tucson. Cincinnati, Minnesota, St. Louis were three of four teams mentioned. Twins and Cardinals seem to have very solid lease arrangements in Florida.

 

- Diamondbacks are now saying they need to keep their options open regarding staying in Tucson, indicating if the Rockies move, they'll need to move as well.

 

- Casa Grande AZ, in between Phoenix and Tucson, is again pushing to build a spring training facility.

 

- Meanwhile in Glendale, ground has broken on the new Dodgers/White Sox complex. They are a bit behind schedule and have an extremely tight timeframe to get everything done in time for late Feb. '09.

 

The handwriting appears to be on the wall for spring baseball in Tucson. My guess is within the next 3-5 years all the teams will be in the greater Phoenix area, which is probably just as well.

I'd be all for the move, Tucson is a lame ass dust bowl. Phoenix is not exactly NYC, but it beats the hell out of Tucson.

I'd be all for the move, Tucson is a lame ass dust bowl. Phoenix is not exactly NYC, but it beats the hell out of Tucson.

You basically hit the nail on the head with that statement.

I'd be all for the move, Tucson is a lame ass dust bowl. Phoenix is not exactly NYC, but it beats the hell out of Tucson.

Tucson has a few nice areas - not near the park though. And its really an overgrown college town. Phoenix is an actual city.

 

Tucson is awful compared to the areas in phoenix. Even mesa's facility isnt nearly as good as some of the ones near Peoria and Glendale.

Tucson has a few nice areas - not near the park though. And its really an overgrown college town. Phoenix is an actual city.

 

.......and a pretty bad College town at that.

I suppose I'd never live there but I think Tucson is great.

Agreed on moving toward Phoenix. When I stayed in Glendale and Surprise a couple of years back, there were a lot of good areas for spring training facilities etc., and you can see why teams such as the Sox wanted to move there.

 

Very glad it happened, because I'd love to go back 1 day.

I want a minor league affiliate located near Chicago. I like to go and see some minor league games once in a while, and I'd like to be able to actually go to a game and be able to watch the Sox prospects.