CactusLeague.com
The Cactus League
Welcomes You! O
n behalf of the Cactus League, welcome to the 2021 spring training season. For many fans, baseball’s return symbolizes renewal every spring. In these challenging times, the familiar rituals of our National Pastime are comforting to the sport’s legions of followers. In normal seasons, many of those fans begin their annual journey in the Cactus League, leaving snowy climates to enjoy watching their teams train in the Arizona sunshine. In fact, about 6 in 10 Cactus League fans typically come from out of state, providing a major boost for Arizona’s tourism economy, according to studies by Arizona State University. They proudly sport their favorite team’s caps and jerseys – no need for jackets most of the time – and can be seen flocking to restaurants, bars and hotels across the Valley. This Cactus League season, played against the backdrop of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, will have a much different look. Leaders of the Cactus League’s eight host municipalities and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community last fall formed a task force to ensure that our 10 facilities are prepared to host spring training in a manner that is safe for all involved. The task force has worked closely with state, county and municipal officials so that all facilities have the most up-to-date information and best practices. We are
grateful to MLB for its partnership and unified in our commitment to provide a safe, secure environment. At press time, details about possible fan attendance had yet to be determined. We salute the efforts of the host municipalities to ensure that Cactus League ballparks will be ready to host spring training, no matter what the outcome. As always, we are grateful to the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority for its strong support of Cactus League facility construction and renovation, ensuring that Arizona’s spring training facilities set the standard in a competitive industry. Finally, I salute Play Ball Magazine, a valued partner in preserving the tradition of spring training. Play Ball Magazine is the go-to source for all things Cactus League and a corporate partner that provides a voice for spring training in Arizona. Play Ball!
Chris Calcaterra Cactus League President
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS
BRIDGET BINSBACHER CHRIS CALCATERRA Executive Director President, City of Peoria
6 | Play Ball Magazine
BRUCE KESSMAN Vice President of Communications, City of Goodyear
KENDRA PETTIS Vice President of Business Affairs, City of Surprise
PAUL BUSER Vice President of Government Affairs, Mesa Hohokams
DAVID DUNNE Vice President of Associate Membership, Salt River Fields
