The 10 Cactus League ballparks, most of which are owned and managed by their host cities, "stay busy all year with a combination of community events, private rentals, and even -- yes -- baseball," according to Andrea Galyean of the ARIZONA REPUBLIC. Peoria Sports Complex Superintendent Blake Englert, who monitors the spring home of the Mariners and Padres, said, "People have this impression that after spring training we go in a cubby hole and hibernate. But it's pretty much the opposite." Galyean noted festivals and civic events "bring people into the ballparks to celebrate holidays, to raise funds for charity and just to have fun." Englert: "It's not just good business, it's being a good neighbor. If you use taxpayer money to build a stadium, you have to make sure the citizens have access to it." Scottsdale Stadium Supervisor Jeff Cesaretti said that the annual Stadium Sleepover is just one of "many community-based events that take over the field" after the Giants leave. Cesaretti: "We've had everything from beer festivals to police K-9 trials here." Although many events are public, "private rentals are also an important source of revenue." Cesaretti estimates that they "make up half of Scottsdale Stadium's bookings during the year." Meanwhile, "one of the great secrets of Arizona baseball is the Rookie League, which runs June through August and includes new recruits." Tempe Diablo Stadium Manager Jerry Hall said, "We only get maybe 25 or 50 people for each game, but the ones who come can get so close to the players. It's a great experience for a real baseball fan." Galyean noted October "brings another opportunity to get close with the Arizona Fall League, which runs through mid-November" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 4/2).
