Posted By Damien Alameda – bio | email
Tucson, AZ - Triple-A baseball is returning to Tucson after a two year hiatus with the help of the Pima County Sports & Tourism Authority and the San Diego Padres. It was announced Thursday that the San Diego Padres Triple-A team will call the Old Pueblo home for at least one year while they await the decision from the Escondido City Council on the construction of a new stadium.
Until 2009, Triple-A baseball had an illustrious history of 39 years in Tucson. The Tucson Toros began play in 1969 at hi Corbett Field. The Tucson franchise moved to Reno for the 2009 PCL season.
The team is coming to Tucson from Portland. beavers owner Merritt Paulson is selling the team to an ownership group headed by Padres owner Jeff Moorad. The transaction is pending based on the necessary confirmations from the Pacific Coast League and Minor League Baseball.
Mike Feder, current Executive Director of the PCSTA and former General Manager of the Toros and Sidewinders from 1989-2000, will operate the team. He has completed a management agreement with the Padres which will include Tucson investors. The local investors will be announced in the near future, as well as the name of the team.
Jack Donovan will be joining Feder in the front office, giving the team over 19 years of Tucson Triple-A GM experience. Jack was also the Tucson Spring Training Director of Operations for the Diamondbacks and White Sox for four years.
The PCSTA is currently in negotiations with Pima County for the lease of Tucson Electric Park for the 2011 season on behalf of the Triple-A team. An anticipated positive conclusion to these discussions is expected shortly.
