Spring training guide: Cactus League looking better than ever as it turns 50

The Cactus League prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary this spring, flush with prosperity and energized by another wave of change on the horizon.

"We're stronger than we've ever been, and there's also movement going on," said Jim Brink, manager of operations in Peoria, Ariz., where the Mariners next month will begin their 11th spring training at the Peoria Sports Complex.

Last year brought the opening of a spanking new complex in Surprise, housing two transplants from the rival Grapefruit League in Florida — the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals.

That bumped the number of teams in the Cactus League to a record 12 — and though league officials are loath to return to the days when the two leagues aggressively raided each other's teams, it's not inconceivable that more Florida-based teams could head west soon.

The Angels are proceeding with plans to vacate their home in Tempe, perhaps as soon as next year, which could set into motion a chain reaction of moves. The Angels, who replaced the Mariners at Tempe Diablo Stadium in 1993 when the Mariners moved to Peoria, hope to build a new facility in Goodyear, located in greater Phoenix's West Valley.

Last month, the Goodyear City Council endorsed a $30 million funding package for a new spring-training facility for the Angels. New Angels owner Arte Moreno promises to kick in $10 million, as well as donate 70 acres of land in Goodyear.

The Angels' lease in Tempe runs through 2007, but the city appears willing to let them out of the final few years as long as a replacement tenant is found. And, increasingly, that looks to be the Chicago White Sox, who in 1998 transferred their home from Sarasota, Fla., to Tucson, where they share a facility with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf, who owns a home in Paradise Valley, recently told the Arizona Republic he was interested in moving. But that would leave a vacancy at Tucson's Pima County Kino Sports Complex, which would have to be filled before the White Sox could get out of their lease.

That, in turn, has prompted the speculation that the Cactus League could again turn to Florida, where the Orioles and Indians have been listed as teams most vulnerable to a move. The Indians formerly trained in Tucson before moving to Florida in 1993. They recently exercised a five-year option to remain in Winter Haven, Fla. The Orioles' lease in Fort Lauderdale expires next year.

Adding just one new team would be problematical, however, because it would give the Cactus League 13 teams, the odd number making scheduling difficult. The Angels reportedly have not ruled out making Goodyear a two-team facility, and another community stepping up to build a facility is always possible. But J.P. de la Montaigne, president of the Cactus League, believes a 13-team league could be viable.

"We could probably make a schedule with 13 teams pretty easily," he said. "With so many split-squad games, and teams being off once in a while, we could do something."

De la Montaigne isn't eager to get into a tug-of-war with Florida, perhaps remembering the early 1990s, when the Grapefruit League aggressively pursued Arizona teams to the point that the future of the Cactus League was in danger.

"I don't want to get in that situation in Arizona when some of our contracts are up, and Florida is in a better position, and it becomes a game again," he said. "I'd rather stabilize things — you keep yours, and we'll keep ours."

For now, the only changes in the Cactus League will be cosmetic. Phoenix Municipal Stadium, where the Oakland Athletics play, has undergone a $4.3 million renovation, designed to keep the A's happy as they near the end of their lease. The Giants' home in Scottsdale is next in line for a sprucing up.

Trades and free-agent signings have brought a few intriguing new faces to the league, including Vladimir Guerrero and Kelvim Escobar with Anaheim, Derrek Lee with the Cubs, and Eddie Guardado with the Mariners.

Returning to the Cactus League after absences of various length are San Diego's David Wells and Brian Giles, Anaheim's Bartolo Colon, and Arizona's Roberto Alomar.

"We're anticipating one of our best springs ever," said de la Montaigne. "Last year was messed up with the Japanese trip and the war. Every indication so far is that this will be a record-setting year."

The Mariners and the A's both cut home dates last spring in anticipation of an early departure for Japan, only to have the trip canceled at the last minute because of security concerns relating to the Iraq war.

The Mariners have a full slate of 15 home games this year, starting with the annual charity game against complex partner San Diego on March 4, followed the next day by the Cactus League opener against the Diamondbacks.

Brink said he has early indications that this year could come close to the watershed 2002 spring, when the Mariners sold a record 138,000 tickets.

"Mariners fans are one of a kind," said Brink. "They're like Cubs fans and Yankees fans."

Peoria officials were uneasy last spring about the competition from nearby Surprise, but it didn't seem to negatively impact the Mariners or Padres.

"This year, when we go with a full schedule versus their full schedule, will give us a better idea," Brink said. "We've created over 10 years enough of a brand awareness of our place, and it's an environment people love to see."

Larry Stone: 206-464-3146 or lstone@seattletimes.com