Just a warning that we’ll be on the road much of the next three weeks, as we start the season with trips to Phoenix and Florida for spring training. (more…)
Tag Archives | cactus league
Promotions Watch: Spring Training Trinkets
While spring training games are often associated with the return of baseball, fans who look closely can find good promotions throughout the Grapefruit and Cactus leagues. These events — giveaways, ticket specials and grand openings — are the focus of our latest Promotions Watch. (more…)
Brewers laying groundwork for new spring training home
More Milwaukee Brewers news: apparently the team is moving once again toward finding a new spring training home in the greater Phoenix area. Peoria officials confirm they’ve had very preliminary talks with the Brewers about a new complex in that western-Phoenix suburb. Peoria is already home to a two-team complex shared by the Seattle Mariners […]
Financial issues facing Cactus League cities
Cities that were relying on Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority for new spring-training complexes in the Cactus League may face some serious issues, as ASTA officials put off scheduled payments and warn of further shortfalls. The issue is simple: the two main sources of tax revenue for ASTA — a 1 percent hotel tax and […]
Compadre Stadium coming down
It’s official: the demolition of Chandler’s Compadre Stadium, the former spring-training home of the Milwaukee Brewers, has begun. The full details are at our Spring Training Online site. We’ve covered the story here before. The ballpark opened in 1986 as spring home of the Brewers, replacing the team’s home in Sun City. It was only […]
Chandler moves ahead with Compadre Stadium demolition
The Chandler (Az.) City Council last night approved a zoning change allowing housing development on a 65-acre site that include Compadre Stadium, former spring-training home of the Milwaukee Brewers. Compadre Stadium opened in 1986 as spring home of the Brewers, replacing the team’s home in Sun City. It was only home to the Brewers until […]
Compadre Stadium finally set for demolition
Vacated by the Milwaukee Brewers following 1997 spring training, Chandler’s run-down Compadre Stadium could be demolished this summer, as a developer has proposed housing on the site. Compadre Stadium has always presented an interesting issue for Chandler officials. Despite the boom in spring-training facilities in the greater Phoenix area, Chandler officials never really pushed Compadre […]
MLB sets spring-training per-game attendance record
We have a new attendance record for spring training, as MLB teams attracted 8,078 fans per game over 447 games played, surpassing a record set in 2008. In fact, attendance in 2014 pretty much shattered the old record of 7,793 fans per game and far outpaced last year’s total of 7,527 fans per game. The […]
Cactus League attendance up in 2014
With Cubs Park packing in the fans, Cactus League per-game attendance was up in 2014, although the total attendance was slightly down because of fewer game days. Overall, 1.68 million fans attended Cactus League games, according to Cactus League officials. That’s less than the 1.73 million fans attending Cactus League games in 2013, but there’s […]
PSC, Peoria Stadium announce concessions deal
Professional Sports Catering and the City of Peoria announced a partnership today where PSC will manage all aspects of the food service at the Peoria Sports Complex, spring-training home of San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners, including the entire Cactus League season and any event taking place on the grounds. “This is a very important […]
Now available: The Complete Guide to Spring Training 2014 / Arizona
We have another book release: The Complete Guide to Spring Training 2014 / Arizona eBook is now available for purchase and download. You can view the book’s page at Amazon.com here. We’ve overhauled the title and completely updated it for Spring Training 2014. Spring training is America’s annual transformation from darkness to light, from cold […]
Mesa won’t bond for new spring-training museum — but project lives on
Mesa (Az.) officials decided to go ahead with a $130-million bond issue for city projects, but funding for a new spring-training museum won’t be part of the package. The Mesa Historical Museum has sought $17 million in city funding for the Arizona Spring Training Experience, Museum and Community Center, which would focus on the Cactus […]
Spring-training museum pitched for Mesa
The Mesa Historical Museum is proposing a $17-million Arizona Spring Training Experience, Museum and Community Center, with voters potentially deciding on the project in a November referendum. Funding would be part of $147.5 million bond referendum that also includes public safety department spending and infrastructure improvements. The Mesa Historical Museum has sponsored several spring-training exhibitions […]