New Food Items in the Cactus League

If you are planning to experience spring training in Arizona and love tasting new food items, azcentral.com has provided their foodie guide for the 2018 season, so you know what’s new and delicious at all 10 Cactus League stadiums.  Read more and view photos here.

Ballpark Visit ALERT: New Cubs Spring-Training Facility (Mesa, AZ)

Joe Mock from BaseballParks.com got an exclusive guided tour of the brand-new spring-training complex for the Chicago Cubs that is nearing completion in Mesa (AZ), courtesy of officials from Populous and Hunt Construction.  It’s very cool to get our first look at the new facility.  Thanks, Joe!  Read more and view photos here.

AWBL Locks In Las Cruces and Bisbee

The start-up indy pro American West Baseball League issued two press releases today announcing finalized deals with Las Cruces (NM) and Bisbee (AZ).  Read announcements here and here.

Cubs Hire GM for New Spring Training Facility

PRESS RELEASE – The Chicago Cubs have hired Justin Piper as general manager, Mesa Spring Training Operations, reporting to Mark McGuire, executive vice president, Business Operations.

AWBL Signs Agreement with Nogales (AZ), Ownership Group Announced

PRESS RELEASE – Embark Holdings, Inc subsidiary American West Baseball League today announced that they have signed an agreement with the City of Nogales and an Ownership Group has agreed to own and operate the team in Nogales, Arizona. The ownership group consists of MLB Players and business professionals. The new team will play at War Memorial Stadium and start this 2013 season.

Nogales Not Out Yet

Despite being given the cold shoulder during a Nogales (AZ) City Council meeting back on Feb. 6, the developing indy pro American West Baseball League was back at the table Thursday afternoon trying to convince local baseball powers to allow the circuit to bring a new team to War Memorial Stadium.  Progress was reportedly made.  Read more here.

AWBL Given Cold Shoulder in Nogales

The developing indy pro American West Baseball League has been talking with the city of Nogales (AZ) about bringing a team to War Memorial Stadium, but the idea drew enough protest during a Nogales City Council meeting last week that Mayor Arturo Garino pulled the agenda item from consideration.  Read more here.

Ribbon-Cutting Celebration Set for New Bisbee Ballpark Sculpture

The Friends of Warren Ballpark have scheduled a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Friday, Sept. 7, to celebrate the new baseball scultpure erected outside of Warren Ballpark in Bisbee (AZ).  Built in 1909, some believe Warren Ballpark is the oldest baseball stadium in the country.  Read more here.  Visit the Friends of Warren Ballpark Facebook page here.

Friends of Warren Ballpark Facebook photo

Breaking Ground: Construction to Begin on New Spring Home for Cubs, Possibly ASU

The City of Mesa (AZ) and Chicago Cubs broke ground Wednesday on the new spring training facility for the storied franchise.   Meanwhile, tough negotiations continue between the Cubs and Arizona State University to bring the Sun Devils to the new park as a secondary tenant.  Read more here.  View groundbreaking photo gallery here.

Godfather Media Announces Fifth AWBL Market

PRESS RELEASE – Godfather Media, Inc. is pleased to announce the signing of an agreement between its subsidiary American West Baseball League (AWBL) and Albie Lopez, former MLB player, and Eddie Marin, a local businessman and sports agent for the Mesa, Arizona Territory.

Ballpark Visit ALERT: Copper King Stadium (Douglas, AZ)

Graham Knight (BaseballPilgrimages.com) visits historic Copper King Stadium, the former home for a number of minor league teams over the years.  Read more and view photos here.

Golf Course Closure Makes Room for New Cubs Home

The good news is, the Chicago Cubs are getting a new spring training home in Mesa (AZ) called Wrigleyville West.  The bad new is, residents and visitors have lost a great economical golf course to make room for it.  Riverview Golf Course officially closed on Monday.  Read more here.  Thanks to Joe Mock (BaseballParks.com) for the story.

Federals Secure Lease in Prescott (AZ)

The new indy pro Montezuma Federals (start-up Freedom Pro Baseball League) have agreed to terms with Yavapai College in Prescott (AZ) to play at Roughrider Park starting May 19.  Read more and view ballpark photo here.  We have to say that Roughrider Park is a far cry from the quality of stadium pictured in the header of the league’s website.

Ballpark Visit ALERT: HoHoKam Stadium (Mesa, AZ)

Digital Ballparks visits HoHoKam Stadium, the Spring Training home of the Chicago Cubs.  Read more and view photos here.

NAL Still Exploring Prescott (AZ)?

There is reportedly a “semi-pro” league interested in placing a team at an improved Ken Lindley Field in Prescott (AZ).  We can only assume that it’s still the indy pro North American League.  Read more here.

Historic Bisbee Ballpark’s Tinkle Rooms Need Attention

The restrooms at 102-year-old Warren Ballpark in Bisbee (AZ) need to be renovated and upgraded, and the Friends of Warren Ballpark group is looking to raise $90,000 in funds to get the work done.  Read more here.

Watchdog Group Decides Not to Sue Mesa Over Cubs Deal

The Phoenix-based watchdog group The Goldwater Institute has decided not to directly sue the City of Mesa over a deal to build a $99 million spring training complex for the Chicago Cubs.  Goldwater believes the deal might violate the Arizona Constitution’s ban on government financial gifts to businesses and is encouraging Mesa taxpayers to challenge the deal.

Ballpark Visit ALERT: Camelback Ranch (Glendale, AZ)

Baseball Road Trip visits Camelback Ranch (Glendale, AZ), the spring home for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox.  Read review and view photos here.