Spring Training Online

The Arizona Diamondbacks confirmed ongoing talks with four potential operators of spring-training sites in the greater Phoenix area, including the Gila River Indian Reservation. (We hinted at this yesterday with a reference to a river running through of the potential spring-training training sites.)

The Diamondbacks have trained at Tucson Electric Park since the team's inception, but the decision by the White Sox to move operations to a Glendale facility triggers an out clause in the team's lease with Pima County, giving them freedom to move should there be only two teams remaining in Tucson. The Colorado Rockies have the same clause in their lease for Hi Corbett Field (which is slated to end in 2011 anyway), and in the past year Rockies officials have openly discussed a spring move to Phoenix as well.

Sarasota officials say they need a little time to review a proposal from the Baltimore Orioles for a $65-million spring-training complex.

As discussed in last night's county commission meeting, the proposal calls for revenues generated from the tourist tax to pay for a renovation of Ed Smith Stadium, currently the spring home of the Cincinnati Reds, as well as an expanded and upgraded spring complex. The Orioles would also work with Ripken Baseball to bring a year-round youth baseball academy to the city as well as provide free advertising for Sarasota tourism on Mid-Atlantic Sports Network, which reaches television viewers in both Baltimore and Washington, D.C.