US Airways - January 2014 - (Page 109)

PHOTOS (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT) COURTESY OF THE PLAY BALL EXHIBIT, AND BY JOHN ANTONOFF (2) ing in 1947. Thankfully, the Mesa Historical Museum began to collect what would become the largest amount of spring training artifacts and items ever assembled in one place. The exhibit Play Ball: The Cactus League Experience had humble beginnings. About five years ago, it debuted at the museum's original location, a former schoolhouse on a dirt road. Since then, the largely donation-based collection has grown so much that today, temporary displays travel to other museums, libraries, and ballpark venues throughout the greater Phoenix metropolitan region. The current collection is composed of bygone ballparks' artifacts and relics, such as seats, signs, autographed bats, balls, and jerseys, as well as photographs, paintings, and drawings. Together, they immortalize local fans' and visitors' decades-long love affair with Major League Baseball in Arizona. In 2012, the permanent collection was reassembled at the museum's new campus on Main Street in front of the Mesa Arts Center. There are also two installations at Goodyear Once the museum is complete, it will be one of only a few in the U.S. devoted entirely to the great American pastime. Ballpark - home of the Cleveland Indians and the Cincinnati Reds - and the Los Angeles Angels' Tempe Diablo Stadium, both focusing on their team's history in the region. Now plans are underway for a permanent Cactus League museum tentatively named The Arizona Spring Training Experience and Cactus League Hall of Fame. The venue will include an interactive museum, learning center, auditorium, and year-round meeting space. While the museum is still working to secure corporate sponsors and find a permanent home, its location will ideally be a short walk from an existing Cactus League facility. "This project needs to be near baseball fans, and because it's focused on spring training, it From top left: Reggie Jackson and Hank Aaron, future softball slugger, and Ernie Banks signed baseball ➺ usairwaysmag.com JANUARY 2014 109 http://www.usairwaysmag.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of US Airways - January 2014

Table of Contents
CEO Letter
From the Editor
Did You Know?
Hot Spots: Winter Festivals
Wine & Dine: Pastries
Style Spotlight: Carry-On Essentials
Diversions: ArtistWorks
Great Escapes: Hotel Zetta
Great Escapes: Quintero Golf Club
Gear Up: Smart Kitchen
Travel Feature: Vail and Beaver Creek Ski Resorts
US Airways: The Airline's Fleet
Winter Warriors: Olympic Athletes
Celebrate Oakland, CA
Best of Health: Miami Foot & Ankle Surgery
Cactus League
Puzzles
Readers Resource Index
Your US Airways Guide
Video Entertainment
Audio Entertainment
U.S. and Caribbean Service Map
International Service Map
Airport Terminal Maps
US Airways Fleet/Customs & Immigration
Passenger Info/Contact US Airways
US Airways MarketPlace®
Window or Aisle?

US Airways - January 2014