Spring training returns to Tucson

Major League Baseball spring training returns to Tucson in March with two games: Padres vs. Rockies and a few days later, the White Sox and Dodgers will battle it out in a benefit game for the Christina-Taylor Green Memorial Foundation.

Proceeds from the White Sox-Dodgers game will benefit the foundation, named for the 9-year-old who lost her life in the Jan. 8 shootings, said Mike Feder, Tucson Padres vice president and general manager.

Green's father, John Green, is a scout for the Dodgers.

San Diego will play National League West rivals the Colorado Rockies on Sunday, March 18, with first pitch thrown at 1:05 p.m., at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium.

"This is a great chance for our fans to get a pre-season look at the young and talented San Diego Padres. We may even see some familiar faces from last year's Tucson teams," said Feder in a press release.

The Rockies held spring training in Tucson from 1993 until 2010 when they moved to Scottsdale.

"The Rockies were great friends to Tucson for many years, I know baseball fans here are thrilled to see the Rockies again," Feder said in the release.

The Chicago White Sox vs. Los Angeles Dodgers charity game will be Friday, March 23 with first pitch at 1:05 p.m., at Kino Stadium.

The Christina-Taylor Green Memorial Foundation was created in the memory of the baseball-loving 9-year-old. The foundation's funds go toward charitable and educational projects that interested Christina-Taylor Green.

"The beneficiary for the game, the CTG Memoial Foundation, will give back to the local community that gave so much to us.  Christina-Taylor's wishes and our mission statement are to help those less fortunate in the areas of education, the arts, sports and leadership programs to enrich our children's lives," said John Green in the release.

"These games represent the essence of the mission of the Pima County Sports & Tourism Authority.  They benefit the youth of the community, utilize Kino stadium for revenue producing events and feature Major League Baseball," said Tom Tracy, Chairman of the Pima County Sports & Tourism Authority.

Tickets to both games will go on sale online Feb. 15 at the Tucson Padres website.

Tucson Padres Opening Night will be Thursday, April 5, against the Fresno Grizzlies. Season tickets, weekend plans and voucher packages are on sale now by calling 434-1367 or through the teams website. Information also be found at the team's Facebook page.