Los Angeles Dodgers Complete Arrangements for Spring Training Complex in Arizona

Los Angeles Dodgers to move closer to California in 2009

LOS ANGELES, 03/27/2008 -- Los Angeles Dodger Owner Frank McCourt announced today that the Dodgers have finalized arrangements for their Spring Training complex in Glendale, AZ, and will play there when Spring Training begins in February, 2009.

"This is the culmination of a long journey designed to give Dodgers fans a shorter journey," said McCourt. "Since the start of this process, we sought to bring the Dodgers closer to the people of Los Angeles. They have supported this team for 50 years on the West Coast, and while we loved our spring home on the East Coast, we know that over the next 50 years, far more fans of the Dodgers can enjoy Spring Training if the trip is five hours by car instead of five hours by plane."

The facility, which will be shared with the Chicago White Sox, will be state-of-the-art, and will also include a restaurant, retail development, four-star hotel and 18-hole golf course. The site is located at 111th Avenue, west of the Loop 101 between Camelback Road and Glendale Avenue. It reaches across both Glendale and Phoenix city borders.

The Dodgers recently celebrated their 60th anniversary in Vero Beach, FL, a site selected when the Dodgers still played in Brooklyn, New York. Throughout the Grapefruit League season, the organization honored its fans, legendary players, coaches, managers, executives, and local officials as part of month-long opportunity to say "Thank You." Among those honored were Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda, Maury Wills, Manny Mota, Steve Garvey, Ron Cey, Rick Monday, and John Shelby, as well as Hall of Fame broadcasters Vin Scully and Jaime Jarrin. Each of the legends was given the opportunity to express their appreciation to the city and the fans for their support.

"We have notified Indian River County and the City of Vero Beach that we will not exercise the option to remain in Vero Beach until 2021," McCourt said. That option would have expired on March 31, 2008. "While we are confident at this point that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, we will be able to conduct spring training in Glendale in 2009, we have until July 15 to make that determination."

Earlier this month, McCourt announced plans to "take Dodgertown to Los Angeles," which includes the transfer of some of the historic and beloved elements from the longtime Spring Training facility to Dodger Stadium and its surrounding areas. While the up-close and personal feel of Dodgertown will be at the heart of the new facility in Glendale, the Camelback complex will have its own culture more fitting of the copper and cactus setting of Arizona.

"As is the case whenever a family moves out of the neighborhood, we are filled with mixed emotions," said Dodger President Jamie McCourt. "The Dodgers established some deep friendships in Florida, and they will endure. And just as a family experiences in such a move, there are new friends to be made in our new neighborhood.

"The key to this move, however, is the obvious proximity to our fan base. Spring Training provides one of the best opportunities for an intimate look at baseball. You can walk up to players, see what they look like, and get an autograph to commemorate the meeting. When an eight-year-old has that experience, her or his eyes are as wide as the player is tall. It's a great way to help children fall in love with baseball, and through the years, they are forever grateful to the family members who made that life-changing moment possible.

"As soon as the Dodgers landed in Phoenix, families wearing Dodger Blue were waiting. It was a daily unofficial welcoming committee. We can't wait till next spring, and in the meantime, we get to enjoy a full baseball season, wire to wire."

Since returning from their historic trip to Beijing, China on March 18, the Dodgers have taken part in Cactus League play in Arizona, where they have experienced standing-room only crowds at each of their six games and witnessed tremendous support from their Los Angeles fan base, which has set regular season attendance records each of the past three seasons.

Source: MLB