By Jeremiah Sosa
Photos Courtesy of the Cactus League
For the past 75 years, Major League Baseball’s Cactus League has been a mainstay in Arizona. Fans from all over the country travel thousands of miles to the Arizona desert to watch their favorite teams take the diamond.
The Cactus League is a nonprofit association whose goal is to facilitate, encourage and participate in activities that promote the 15 MLB teams and 10 stadiums who participate in Spring Training in Arizona. However, the past few years have looked anything but ordinary. In 2020, the Cactus League ended early due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, only a fraction of the fans were allowed into the stadiums across the Valley due to the ongoing pandemic. Now, in 2022, the Cactus League once again faces another setback (in addition to the ongoing pandemic): an MLB lockout.
On December 2, 2021, MLB unanimously voted to put the league in a lockout, after the previous collective bargaining agreement expired. The owners and players have yet to come to terms on a new deal, meaning all MLB activities will cease to take place until an agreement is reached.
For Arizona baseball fans, and baseball fans all over the country, this means that the commencement of the 75th Cactus League Spring Training is in question.
“We are keeping a close eye on news regarding the negotiations between the owners and the players on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement,” Cactus League Executive Director Bridget Binsbacher says. “While we don’t want to speculate on the outcome, we are concerned about the possibility of a work stoppage impacting Spring Training this year.”
Although there is uncertainty from the players and teams whether there will be a Spring Training this year, the Cactus League remains ready to host teams, players, and fans. “The Cactus League’s eight host municipalities and the tribal community will be ready to work together to ensure a safe, secure and enjoyable Spring Training experience for all involved,” Binsbacher says.
Where to Stay Updated
For updates, tickets, scheduling, and more on the 75th Cactus League, visit cactusleague.com. As of press time (late January), Spring Training was still in question.
