Cubs’ Mesa stadium plans continue to move forward
MESA, Ariz. — The Ricketts family is descending on Cubs camp to view the team they own.
On Friday, board member Todd Ricketts updated media members on the state of the team’s new spring-training home in Mesa. Chairman Tom Ricketts arrives Saturday to give his state-of-the-state address and to meet with the players on the first day of full-squad workouts.
As far as the new spring home goes, Todd Ricketts said the likely opening date is spring 2014, although it may be ready for Arizona Fall League play in 2013.
“We’re kind of narrowing down the list of architects who have put their qualifications forward,” Todd Ricketts said. “In a couple weeks, we should have an architect selected.
“We’re hoping to be in the ground by this fall, and however long that takes. I’d hate to commit to 2013, but 2014 for sure.”
The 50,000-square-foot facility will hold 15,000 spectators, between seats and outfield berms, Ricketts said. The Cactus League guide lists HoHoKam Park as holding 13,100.
Ricketts said “there was nothing to report” on naming rights for the new facility but that “we’re definitely going to be looking for some local partners.”
Ricketts said the new stadium may have the same field dimensions as Wrigley Field, which has short power alleys of 368 feet from home plate. That kind of plan was talked about in the 1990s but deemed not workable because of the light air in Arizona, where the ball tends to fly out of the park more easily than it does up north. Many of the power alleys in spring parks are about 390 feet from home plate.
“We’ll look at all those things,” Ricketts said.
A new Santo tribute:
The Cubs will honor the memory of late third baseman and radio analyst Ron Santo in Mesa. Before the Cubs’ Cactus League game against the Cleveland Indians on March 10, the Cubs will honor Santo’s memory with a ceremony at third base.
Players already are wearing uniform patches with Santo’s No. 10 on them, and the Cubs will unveil a Santo statue at Wrigley Field this season.
Ready to go:
All position players except for shortstop Starlin Castro and third baseman Aramis Ramirez had checked into Fitch Park by Friday afternoon, the official reporting date. Both players are expected on the field Saturday.
Manager Mike Quade said he was not concerned about Castro’s absence until now.
“No, because he played winter ball,” Quade said. “It’s great that these guys are here early, but it’s a seven-week camp or thereabouts. The dedication is incredible, and I love it. At some point, this really becomes long. You want guys peaking when April comes.
“I’ve spent some time in winter ball. I would just as soon say, ‘Get here tomorrow.’ I got reports all winter. With Cassie’s situation, if he had not played any winter ball, had he not had the whole organization going to see him all winter... then it might have been a different story. But it’s all good.”
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