Pima County appears to be closer to bringing Japanese baseball to Tucson.

The Nippon Ham Fighters are expected to visit Tucson starting March 4 to potentially complete a deal to train at Kino Sports Complex in 2011. The Rakuten Golden Eagles are also expected to visit, but no date has been set. A visit would be a major step toward finalizing a one-year or multiyear deal to train in Tucson.

"What we have is a verbal understanding that this is something they want to do," said Jack Donovan, who heads Baseball's International Group, the liaison between the Japanese teams and the Pima County Sports and Tourism Authority.

"It's a matter of them working out their schedule to come in and see everything, and then solidify the arrangement. ... It's very exciting for us. We know they're going to be impressed with the facilities."

The Japanese teams would replace the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies, who are moving to a complex near Scottsdale next year.

Donovan said five Japanese teams are interested in visiting Tucson. The group also invited the Lotte Marines' Japanese and Korean teams and the Orix Buffaloes to train in Tucson.

Pending Major League Baseball approval, MLB teams would play the Japanese teams during spring training.

"It doesn't necessarily help the major-league team, but for our minor-leaguers to be able to get games in and workouts in and see different pitchers and players, we're definitely open to it, and we hope they do," Diamondbacks president Derrick Hall said before the team's first full-squad workout.

Praise for Tucson

Hall said the D-backs will not pay to leave Tucson after 2010. The Chicago White Sox paid $5 million to buy out their lease with the county before moving to Glendale. The Rockies' lease with the city expires at the end of 2011, and the D-backs' lease with the county expires in 2012.

"There's nothing there that we owe," Hall said.

Pima County administrator Chuck Huckelberry could not be reached Wednesday. City Parks director Fred Gray said the Rockies and the city have yet to reach a solution.

Hall praised the condition of the fields and noted the team has added a "Tucson Fan Appreciation Day" on March 28 at TEP.

Fans will receive an honorary pennant and can win prizes.

"This has been our home since our inception," Hall said. "Thirteen springs down here means a lot to this group. It was also mentioned in the meeting (with the team) this has been a special place to us."

Managing general partner Ken Kendrick also praised Tucson.

"It's been a great run for us, and I talked about that with the players, what a great run we've had here, and we should finish it up strong and recognize Tucson's been very good for us."

Negotiations

Kendrick said the Diamondbacks are interested in a multiyear deal with catcher Miguel Montero. The team is also negotiating with outfielder Justin Upton and third baseman Mark Reynolds.

Up next

• What: Rockies at D-backs

• Where: Tucson Electric Park

• When: 1:05 p.m. March 4