BASEBALLPARKS.COM News & Notes

 

Mesa it is

Barring an unforeseen defeat at the ballot box by local voters, it appears that Mesa will remain the Cubs' springtime home for decades to come. By pledging a new $84M complex, Mesa fought off a strong bid by Naples, FL.

Bye, Damaschke

The NY-Penn League is abandoning Damaschke Field (above), as the Oneonta Tigers announced they are moving to the recently vacated Norwich, CT market for the 2010 season. Baseball has been played on the site of Damaschke Field since 1906.

Big League Ballpark Notes

The Tampa Bay Rays' desire for a new ballpark is back in the news. A group known as A Baseball Community Coalition has recommended three sites for a new stadium to replace Tropicana Field (left) ... As reported above, the Cubs have granted exclusive negotiation rights to Mesa regarding the team's spring-training operations. It was a winding road, though. First, Chicago media outlets reported that the Cubs may be leaning toward Naples, FL. Then Mesa moved back into the lead after they presented the Cubs with a proposal for an $84-million project. Naples countered that they weren't out of the running yet. USA Today, meanwhile, assessed the economic impact that gaining the Cubs would have for Florida, and what losing the team would mean to Arizona.