Gila River woos Cubs

Gila River wooing Cubs for spring training

By Garin GroffThe Gila River Indian Community is making a pitch to host the Chicago Cubs for spring training, positioning itself as a rival that could woo the team away from its longtime home in Mesa.

The tribe has traveled to Chicago to speak with Cubs management, which Mesa has also done in the wake of the team saying it is in the market for a new spring training facility.And:Tribal bids have become a relatively new concern as Indian communities have launched aggressive economic development programs.

The Gilas have built a 500-room Sheraton resort with a golf course, lured Rawhide from Scottsdale and opened a 400-acre business park along Interstate 10, near Chandler and Ahwatukee Foothills.

The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community has pursued equally ambitious development programs and became the first tribe in the nation to land a major league baseball facility. This summer, the tribe announced a deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies for a massive complex at the Loop 101 Pima Freeway and Indian Bend Road.Below:  "The Chicago Cubs use Fitch Park in Mesa as a practice facility during spring training."