Tucson, Arizona, the city with the most baseball spring training teams, could quickly wind up having none because of a funding issue.  Right now three major league teams currently reside there which include the Colorado Rockies, the Arizona Diamondbacks, and the Chicago White Sox.  Each of these team’s future in Tucson is in jeopardy.

The Chicago White Sox, whose lease expires in 2012, want to move almost immediately because of a new baseball spring training park being built in Glendale.  They have already committed to splitting 20 games in the new Glendale stadium with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are playing Cactus League Baseball for the first time next year.  The Colorado Rockies want costly improvement to their facilities or they are also considering moving after 2011.  Finally, the Arizona Diamondbacks will move if only they and another team remain in Tucson.

Tucson is attempting to take action to prevent losing three Cactus League Baseball teams from their city.  In fact, according the Pima County Sports and Tourism Authority, formed earlier this year to create a long-term funding solution, says "they have no intention of letting the current teams go" and are even trying to take a team or two from Florida (Craig Harris).  Their solution at this time is going through the Arizona legislation and still has to be approved by Pima County voters.  The proposal includes a 1 percent retail sales tax, a 0.375 percent tax on hotel stays, restaurant bills, car rentals and amusements, and a 1.5 percent tax on spring-training game tickets.

"It's not about baseball. . . . It's about the Tucson economy," said Dan Schneider, the sports authority's executive director. "We need to turn the momentum around." (Craig Harris) According to the sports authority, baseball spring training generates about $31 million annually in Tucson in plane tickets, hotels, and local restaurant business.  This doesn't include all of the other tourism and additional businesses which benefit from the temporary increase in population. These teams not only benefit Tucson's economy, but also provide good fun for the families and promote youth athletics. Because of this, many fans and residents of Tucson will be disappointed should these teams decide to leave. 

A decision will have to be made by the end of 2009 on the future of these Cactus League Baseball teams.  And should the time come where Cactus League Baseball leaves, it will be a sad day in Tucson indeed.