waxpaperbeercup

Yesterday it was announced that Tom Ricketts and his family had taken control of the Cubs. Well, Mesa and the rest of the Cactus League would like to get to know Tom Ricketts real quick. With the Cubs eyeing a possible move to the Grapefruit League, Mesa is preparing to roll out the carpet for Mr. Ricketts. They will do this in the next few weeks.

The Ricketts will visit as part of an annual trip Cubs management makes to Mesa. The city is still putting together an itinerary that will likely include a tour of potential sites in east Mesa for a training facility, as well as talks with elected officials, business leaders and community members.

The city will emphasize the Cubs’ history here and the team’s loyal fan base, though Smith acknowledged any deal will rely on the development and financial deal that’s best for the owners.

The Mayor of Mesa is very concerned that they could lose the Cubs. According to reports the Cubs contribute $52 million to the AZ economy annually with Spring Training.

Mayor Scott Smith said Tuesday that Mesa must at least match whatever Florida would offer if it is serious about keeping the Cubs in Mesa. The Ricketts have visited Florida already, but not Arizona.

While the Cubs’ history with Mesa dates to the 1950s, Smith said the city must develop a relationship and a proposal as though the city and team were new to each other.

“This new owner is not familiar with the Arizona or the Cactus League opportunities,” Smith said.

One of the issues facing Mesa that the rival Naples, Florida bid appears not to have to deal with is the voters:

But voters could be asked, he said, to pay for new city parks that would double as Cubs practice facilities.

The election would be required because in 2004, Mesa voters approved a charter amendment requiring an election if the city wants to spend $1.5 million or more to build “any amphitheater, sports complex, cultural or entertainment facility, arena, stadium, convention facility, or multi-purpose facility.”

Smith said such a proposal couldn’t be ready for the ballot until November 2010 at the earliest.

The timing and the uncertainty of the outcome could be a real issue for Mesa. The Cubs can opt out of their agreement with Mesa as early as 2012.

Mayor Smith of Mesa views this like any other business opportunity for the East Valley:

Smith said he understands why some people might resent the city trying to accommodate a wealthy sports organization because he used to feel the same way.

“I had to get over that hump,” he said.

“I look at it purely from the economic development standpoint,” he said. “Investing in rich athletes, as distasteful as that may be to some people, creates an economic benefit to the community that far outweighs the investment.”

He added, “I would do this if it were the Cactus League or a tool and die company or Boeing.”

Smith also understands that this is business deal and the fifty+ year history the Cubs have with Mesa will be of little significance:

“Being nostalgic only goes so far,” Smith said.

I’ve always enjoyed going to Arizona for Spring Training. On a personal level, I’d like to see the Cubs stay in the Valley, but it appears to me that this is going to be a tougher battle than some suggest. I don’t think the Cubs staying in Mesa is anywhere near a done deal. I think they have to come up with a pitch that will be better than the one they get from Naples.

The news from Arizona follows the report Sunday that Ricketts and Crane Kenney had already visited Naples, Florida. Kenney had even made a statement:

“The Chicago Cubs are exploring Naples, Florida, as a potential spring training venue and have been working with Chicago-based Esmark and Naples-based Fifth Avenue Advisors in that regard,” Kenney confirmed in a statement. “Our site visits and discussions confirm that Collier County has a number of suitable locations for a world-class spring training facility.”

Call it what you want. It may just be posturing but the Cubs look bound and determined to get a world class Spring Training site. Similar to what the White Sox and Dodgers opened at Camelback Ranch in Glendale.