A wire story from The Associated Press dated Jan. 9 indicated the city of Tucson, Ariz., is looking for a Japanese club to play about 15 spring training games there in 2010, replacing the American League's Chicago White Sox who have moved their spring training base to the Phoenix area.
Now, the community of Sarasota, Fla., is thinking along the same lines with an eye to fill its stadium being vacated after next month by the Cincinnati Reds. That National League club is moving to Glendale, Ariz., after 11 years in Sarasota, and the city fathers are hoping to keep alive the tradition of 84 years of spring training in their town.
Joe Barbetta, one of five elected Sarasota County Commissioners, said by phone from Florida, "We thought we had a deal with the Boston Red Sox, but it fell through about a month ago. We're talking to the Baltimore Orioles as well, but their demands are high, so that's not looking good.