The Cactus League and affiliated communities sent a letter to Major League Baseball asking for a delayed start to spring training as the coronavirus pandemic continues to overwhelm Arizona.
The league released the letter on Monday. It was dated Friday and signed by officials from eight cities and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.
In all, 15 major league teams hold spring training in Arizona. But the letter made it clear that the greater Phoenix area, where 10 teams play, isn't ready for baseball. The league schedule calls for games to begin Feb. 27, with teams reporting about two weeks earlier.