Baseball must be part of Our Future in Tucson!

By John C. Camper, Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, February, 2007

The impact of Spring Training on Tucson is estimated at $30 Million dollars. Visitors and residents alike spend money not only at the ballparks but at local establishments including restaurants, hotels, stores and entertainment venues. Virtually all businesses in this region are affected.

Baseball teams are avidly sought after for their economic impact on communities. The teams in Tucson will leave unless we provide modern facilities that address their needs.

One solution is the establishment of a Regional Sports and Tourism Authority (RSTA) to bring the public and private sectors together as a partnership to facilitate sports, both professional and amateur in the Tucson Region. We need to decide who should be a part of this RSA and how it will be funded. This partnership has to be designed as a long term solution. Consider that the minimum economic impact in the Tucson region is $300 million dollars over the next 10 years and the need to take immediate action is much more compelling.

Regular spring training games in Arizona started in 1947, 61 years ago and players and fans alike have enjoyed the game under sunny skies in our warm Arizona weather. Actually, the first spring training game in Arizona was played on March 26, 1929.

The Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce is committed to finding and being part of the solution so that "Play Ball" will continue to be heard in the Tucson region for many years to come.

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