Mesa officials to pitch new Cubs' owners

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Mesa officials plan a meet and greet next month with the family that just bought the Chicago Cubs over the future of spring training.

The Ricketts family has received a preliminary offer of a new spring training facility in Florida, and the baseball team has told Mesa that new training facilities are essential to staying in Arizona.

Mesa is still putting together an itinerary in early November that will likely include a tour of potential sites in east Mesa for a training facility.

Mayor Scott Smith said Tuesday that Mesa must at least match whatever Florida offers.

Mesa officials said they plan to tout the immense fan loyalty in the community, but acknowledge any deal will rely on the development and financial deal that's best for the owners.

The Ricketts family bought the Cubs for $845 million from the Tribune Co.

___

Information from: East Valley Tribune, http://www.eastvalleytribune.com