MESA, Ariz. — Arizona's connection to baseball runs deep; deeper than most people realize. The Valley has been home to Cactus League Spring Training since 1947 and a lot of history and memorabilia has been collected since it began.
Some of it is on display at the Mesa Historical Museum's exhibit "Play Ball: The Arizona Spring Training Experience & Cactus League Hall of Fame." But these key pieces of America's pastime don't have a permanent home yet.
Decades of baseball history could soon be on display in Arizona's first and only baseball museum... If enough fundraising money is secured.
"There are so many fascinating stories that we have about baseball here in Arizona. That's not just about the Cactus League, [like] the history of Arizona baseball, from the Japanese internment baseball leagues [and the] Native American baseball leagues.
Susan Rucci, the executive director, said there's so much memorabilia that it needs to be rotated and can't be on display at the same time. She said the play ball exhibit is one of the most popular.
With public interest only growing each time spring training rolls around, Rucci said the Mesa Historical Museum is looking to renovate a 4000 sq ft auditorium located on its property. The Lehi Auditorium was constructed in 1939 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In the early 2000s, it was deemed unsuitable for public use, according to the MHM.
"Just launched a big fundraising campaign and we are going to renovate that building," Rucci said. "We will be able to tell so many more stories."
As of late March, $152,000 of the $600,000 total goal is raised, roughly 1/4 of what is needed.
"We are asking people to step up to the plate and help us make this baseball museum come true," Rucci said.
According to MFM, the electrical wiring in the auditorium needs to be upgraded. Along with the roof, wheelchair ramp, and more.
"We have been hearing from a lot of people around the community who has baseball memorabilia. And they want to share it. They want the public to see it so they have contacted us to loan us some of their baseball memorabilia," Rucci said.
Rucci said the goal is to open the baseball museum by Cactus League Spring Training 2026. To donate, click here.
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