Mesa waits until next spring
Matt Wilhalme
Spring has come and gone and with it did all of the money that the Cactus League was bringing into the Valley.According to the Cactus League Web site, in 2007 more than $300 million was brought in over the course of spring training.
I can only imagine they expected much more this year with the addition of the Cleveland Indians and the Los Angeles Dodgers to the Cactus League system.
The Cubs recorded their highest spring training attendance record along with a Hohokam Stadium record of 203,105.
Imagine the number of hot dogs consumed by baseball fans in Mesa the number must be astounding.
But as usual, I missed out on all of the fun while I served tables in the restaurant I work in getting beers and pizza for the sunburned faces of Cubs fans.
Restaurants and businesses all benefited from the influx of out-of-town visitors taking advantage of Arizona’s beautiful weather and access to baseball teams.
If only there was a reason for people to return to Mesa during the rest of the year. A professional sports team or event that caused people to break out their wallets and book flights and hotel rooms to end up here.
As Spring Training approached its end, I have become more and more excited for the regular season to begin for the Arizona Diamondbacks, but it has also signaled the end of the good days for business.
The snowbirds have left, the spring training crowd is gone.
What more is there to look forward to here in Mesa?
I’m not sure, but at least now I can take the light rail downtown to catch a ballgame.
