There was a collective “high five” when the call came just a month or so ago when Donna Petersen called Sarah Horvath to let her know the Arizona Fall League was coming to Tucson.
“I told her: ‘we’re good (to go),” said Petersen, the AFL administrator for the MLB Arizona Fall League/MLB Desert Invitational.
And just like that It was official.
“Tucson is a sports town … it is true,” said Petersen. “Everybody is so in on what’s happening here. I find that to be refreshing.”
So, the AFL coming to Tucson had become official. Seemingly lightspeed when it comes to marriages.
But this one felt good. Real good.
“I believe there were a lot of explosion emojis, high fives and all that,” said Horvath, director of the Kino Sports Complex and Stadium District. “It was very exciting for all of us. They wanted to come down as much as we wanted them down here.”
The four principles involved were all there on Thursday talking to the media about the big day that might – maybe – lead to more big days down the road, but that’s for another day.
Petersen, Horvath, Bree Lopez, Visit Tucson’s Sports Sales manager and Blake Eager and Edgar Soto, of the Southern Arizona Sports, Tourism and Film Authority were on hand to explain how it all came about.
“It’s about having the right players on the right bus,” said Horvath, to use a baseball analogy.
“When we get to the basic level of why these things are happening and didn’t in the past,” Eager said, “is because of the collaboration between multiple entities … you have a lot of people in the right positions that want to see positive change, have economic impact and economic development from a sports standpoint. That’s important.”
And so, all six teams will be headed to Kino for a triple-header. MLB – professional – baseball is back in Tucson. It all happens on Oct. 11.
The six teams are comprised of top prospects from every MLB team. And talent to be sure as they collectively feature 13 of MLB’s Pipeline’s Top 100 prospects, three being in the top 15 prospects. Former Arizona pitcher Austin Smith will be among the players. Justin Chambers, too, is from Arizona.
As Horvath said she wants people to say: “I saw them at Kino” when they hit the big leagues.
Overall, it’s a coup – or least a nice capture – for Tucson, which hasn’t had AFL baseball since 2002.
“It’s a feather in the cap for Kino because when you look at the quality of facility,” Horvath said. “People can’t believe how old the stadium is yet sees how good of condition it’s in. it’s a testament to bring this caliber of event here.”
Now, it’ll be up to the fans to come see baseball. Butts in the seats, smiles in the aisles.
How about 8,000 fans – collectively – for the three games.? That’s Horvath’s hope.
“We’re looking to have some of the largest attendance for the Arizona Fall League here because it’s going to be a short snapshot.”
It’s all about having “community impact” given she – and many – often hear “there’s not a lot to do in Tucson.
“I get sick of that because we want them to feel they have ownership here,” Horvath said. “From the MLB standpoint, we want to show them we are serious, and we are ready for any sort of partnership and whatever we can do to bring any high-level partnership back, we are willing to make that happen.”
Petersen wants that too.
“My hope is expanding the Arizona Fall brand,” she said. “Just so people know it exists. Know that it’s a great place to meet your next favorite player. My (other) hope is that the community comes out … we want people to have a great day at the ballpark and have a great family outing while enjoying some baseball. Get away from life – baseball offers that.”
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