Re: Cubs to Leave Mesa for Florida?

[weatherdood]

I know it's been discussed, but not so seriously, perhaps, until now. The following from a Fort Myers area TV station.

 

COLLIER COUNTY: The push to bring the Chicago Cubs to Collier County for spring training took a big step forward Monday. For the first time, the thought of luring the team out of Arizona, was discussed at a public meeting.

 

Complete story here... http://www.abc-7.com/Global/story.asp?S=10981699

[BCVM22]

Never. Mesa will appease them with a new spring training facility and they'll stay.

[weatherdood]

I tend to agree but if there's an offer that knocks their socks off, you never know.

[Irishoshea21]

While I would prefer the team stays in Arizona (the proximity of the teams is much better than Florida), Mesa is a dump and the facilities are weak. I would not be opposed to building a new facility anywhere in the Phoenix area (Mesa or not).

 

I don't see why they would feel any real need to stay in Mesa if another town had a better offer.

[weatherdood]

A city of Mesa's size certainly should be able to find the financial means to keep the Cubs, and quite honestly, needs to do so, before another city, whether it be in Arizona or Florida sweeps in. Mesa needs the Cubs for their economic impact far more than the Cubs need Mesa, so a move to a city that proves to be the highest bidder is indeed a possibility.

[Springfield_CUBBY]

Didn't they use to have ST in that region of FLA? I'm thinking Marco Island or something . . .

[moorecg]

Is it just me or do I remember hearing that AZ is becoming the generally preferred spot for ST for a lot more teams because of reduced travel in between games? If that's true I'd be surprised to see the Cubs move to FLA...somewhere else in AZ maybe...but not to FLA

[NeifiIsMyHomeBoy]

I went out to Mesa for 2007 spring training with my Dad. I have never seen so many trailer parks in my life. But I loved the experience, and would go again, no matter where the Cubs choose to host ST.

 

I do agree with the point that Mesa needs the Cubs more than the Cubs need Mesa. It's not exactly paradise down there.

[C.C.]

It's never going to happen. The cubs practically own AZ.

[Old Style]

My parents would be crushed. They bought a place in AZ and have been going to ST games for almost a decade now. They have aisle seats 2 rows behind the Cubs dugout. I doubt I'll even bring this topic up with my dad.

[C.C.]

My parents would be crushed. They bought a place in AZ and have been going to ST games for almost a decade now. They have aisle seats 2 rows behind the Cubs dugout. I doubt I'll even bring this topic up with my dad.

 

Same with mine. Except crappier seats.

[Mark Priors Calves]

Never. Mesa will appease them with a new spring training facility and they'll stay.

 

Yep. The Cubs are just politicking for a new facility to keep up with the jones.

[daske17]

I went out to Mesa for 2007 spring training with my Dad. I have never seen so many trailer parks in my life. But I loved the experience, and would go again, no matter where the Cubs choose to host ST.

 

I do agree with the point that Mesa needs the Cubs more than the Cubs need Mesa. It's not exactly paradise down there.

 

You certainly wouldn't have to deal with that in Naples.

[abuck1220]

doesn't really sound like anything important to me. big deal, some town in florida discussed trying to get the cubs to move there. i just discussed trying to get the cubs to move spring training to my back yard with my brother. we both agree it'd be sweet.

 

anyway, i don't know why you'd want to go from az to florida with all the rainouts and the distance between facilities. i do agree that the cubs park in mesa is BY FAR the worst facility in the cactus league though.

[Guest]

I think the Cubs are just trying to use this to improve or get new facilities in Mesa or elsewhere in Arizona. The Cubs facilities are by far the worst.

[jersey cubs fan]

I think the Cubs are just trying to use this to improve or get new facilities in Mesa or elsewhere in Arizona. The Cubs facilities are by far the worst.

 

Are the Cubs using this or are they just happy somebody is bringing it up?

[Guest]

I think the Cubs are just trying to use this to improve or get new facilities in Mesa or elsewhere in Arizona. The Cubs facilities are by far the worst.

 

Are the Cubs using this or are they just happy somebody is bringing it up?

 

Yeah, it's probably the latter. But it's definitely something they can use to get improvements in Mesa or find a new venue in Arizona.

 

I can't imagine them really wanting to move to Florida; there are more benefits to staying in Arizona (which have already been mentioned).

[jersey cubs fan]

I think the Cubs are just trying to use this to improve or get new facilities in Mesa or elsewhere in Arizona. The Cubs facilities are by far the worst.

 

Are the Cubs using this or are they just happy somebody is bringing it up?

 

Yeah, it's probably the latter. But it's definitely something they can use to get improvements in Mesa or find a new venue in Arizona.

 

I can't imagine them really wanting to move to Florida; there are more benefits to staying in Arizona (which have already been mentioned).

 

There are cost savings on travel. But the gulf coast hosts most of them already, with a couple teams having left for Arizona, that cuts down a bit on the travel. Plus, there's more competition in Arizona now than there was before, maybe they feel there is more to gain in Florida than lose in Arizona. And is there really that much difference in rain outs in February and March? It's not like Mesa has been rain free in recent years. It's also possible that after years of growth and spending on sports stadiums, Arizona has just lost the taste for doing so. While the big money private investors in the Naples area might be more willing to take that risk.

 

I hope they stay in Arizona, but it's not a complete no-brainer for the Cubs, depending on how the plans look. And hell, it could come down to a personal preference of the Ricketts family.

[NCCubFan]

I think the Cubs are just trying to use this to improve or get new facilities in Mesa or elsewhere in Arizona. The Cubs facilities are by far the worst.

It's a Chicago baseball thing. Threaten to move to Florida in order to get what you want to stay where you are.

[weatherdood]

Mesa shares its side of the story.... This may get interesting...

 

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/143436

 

“The threat is real,” said Smith, adding that keeping the Cubs would not be an easy task. He emphasized Mesa would not be building a new stadium for the team, but they are exploring ways to bring together the Cactus League and private parties to work something out. That could mean a whole new facility, possibly near Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, or other locations in Mesa.

 

http://www.azcentral.com/community/mesa/articles/2009/08/25/20090825mr-cubs0826.html

 

.

Faced with a growing challenge from Florida, Mayor Scott Smith said Tuesday that he will lead a high-profile delegation to Chicago next month in an effort to keep the Cubs in Mesa.

 

"The Cubs are not only a Mesa gem and asset, but a Cactus League and statewide gem and asset, "Smith said.

 

That's why he added Arizona House Speaker Kirk Adams, R-Mesa, to the delegation that will meet with Cubs officials in mid-September.

"We're going to pull out all the stops," Smith said. "We're going to do what we can to remind the Cubs that Arizona is their home in the winter and this is the best place for them to be."

 

Of late, however, the Cubs have sounded as if they're not so sure about that.

[NCCubFan]

From a selfish perspective I wouldn't mind the Cubs training in Florida. Living in North Carolina, it would be possible for me to make it to Florida for a few days to watch some games whereas Arizona would involve too much travel for the amount of time I'd be there.

[moochpuppy]

Update:

 

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2009/oct/25/chicago-cubs-execs-visit-collier-scout-spring-trai/

 

This would be a great area for the Cubs to move. Before the housing crash this was one of the fastest growing areas in the country. They are making many improvements to Interstate 75 between Ft. Myers and Naples (about 40 miles). There are plenty of hotels, restaurants and the beaches.

[J.R.]

Arizona is undoubtedly the best place to train. But I have no interest in traveling 2,000 miles for a bunch of exhibitions.

 

800 miles to Naples FTW.

[Guest]

I was in Phoenix last May. The entire Phoenix metro region is an ugly shithole. I always thought I might like to live there one day. Four days in the area changed that right away.

 

I don't think my opinion is relevant to where the Cubs play spring training. But if the choice is Phoenix vs. Naples, I choose Naples if I'm Ricketts.

[Clem Fandango]

I'm not one for breaking traditions, but their proposed new location is only like an hour or two from my hometown sooooooo...... yeah, that would be awesome