More Reds talk on move to Arizona

01/25/2008 10:00 PM ET
Mailbag: Considering move to Arizona
Reds beat reporter Mark Sheldon answers fans' questions
By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com

Normally the mailbag runs on Monday, but I'll be taking vacation next week. Here's a special, and timely, edition to get you through the weekend.

I've digested your comments on a potential move of the Reds' Spring Training home from Florida to Arizona. I would find a move to Arizona very disappointing. I suspect more Reds fans spend winter in Florida than in Arizona, and the Reds would alienate a significant number of them with the move. I for one would be upset knowing I would not have the opportunity to see the Reds when I visit relatives and a parent in Florida in the spring.
-- Joe, Minster, Ohio

I also have been digesting the ongoing debate about whether the Reds should remain in Sarasota, Fla., or head to Goodyear, Ariz. Based on these choices, they should move to Arizona. It's a no-brainer.

I've heard from lots of fans complaining about the longer distances to Arizona and how they visit family in Florida each spring. What I haven't heard is an explanation for why there are rarely capacity or near-capacity crowds at Ed Smith Stadium to see the Reds. The place holds over 8,000, and the attendance usually is closer to 4,000. The only sellouts I've noticed the past two springs are when the Red Sox or Yankees visit. While those teams draw hundreds for their workouts at their own complexes, the Reds might draw dozens to theirs.

Goodyear will decide Monday whether to enter a 90-day exclusive negotiating period with the Reds, so obviously it's getting serious. If negotiations lead to a deal, Cincinnati would become the 15th team in the Cactus League. Most of the Reds' games would be an easy driving distance compared to Florida. The drier Arizona weather also is more predictable and offers fewer rainouts.

The Reds aren't taking this decision lightly at all. I know owner Bob Castellini and consultant John Allen explored every avenue to find a way to stay in Sarasota. But the residents there turned down a tax levy last November, and last week the county commissioners there delayed a vote for an alternative funding plan.

A project that started out at $54 million for a new ballpark was whittled down to $41 for renovations of the old place and now could shrink to about $30 million. The club still would have to contribute $9 million there. In Goodyear, they'd get to play in a brand new $75 million facility while getting better economic incentives, and they likely wouldn't absorb any construction costs. And most importantly, Goodyear and its people seem to really want the Reds. I don't get that vibe from Sarasota.

I'm not about to tell residents and the government of another city how to spend their money. If they don't want baseball, that's their call. It's a myopic one, though, when you consider the economic loss of tourists, hotel rooms, restaurants, games and more. The Reds also paid for the upkeep of Ed Smith Stadium year-round while keeping a Class A affiliate and their rehab facility there. Meanwhile, the city still could have use of the place.

If Arizona isn't too far for the Indians, why is it too far for the Reds? Isn't Cleveland located in Ohio, too? It's a four-hour plane ride, not a trek to Outer Mongolia. I appreciate the Reds' long tradition in Florida, but traditions often change. People generally fear change. In this case, don't. Who knows? It could be for the better.

Here is one more Spring Training question.

Why would the Reds or any MLB team want to share a Spring Training facility with another team? It seems to me that would only cause problems. I don't want the Reds being the "ugly stepsister" to anyone, especially to Cleveland.
-- David T., New Concord, Ohio

I don't buy your "ugly stepsister" analogy, but this could be the start of a new wrinkle to this Ohio rivalry. Maybe former Bengals coach Sam Wyche can yell, "You don't live in Cleveland!" every day to Reds fans over the PA to get under Clevelanders' skin.

Sharing a stadium has advantages. For the teams, they can share in the costs of maintenance. They also would have an instant partner to scrimmage with. As for practice fields and clubhouses, they would be separate. For the city, it almost guarantees a home game every day in March and offers more chances for fans to see more baseball.

http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080125&content_id=2355958&vkey=news_cin&fext=.jsp&c_id=cin