The Legendary Boys of Summer at Arizona Museum for Youth

Willie Mays was the first to hit a homer at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. And Mickey Mantle and Joe DiMaggio played one season of spring training baseball together in Arizona. These are just some of the moments that make up the rich history of Cactus League baseball in Arizona and a few of the tales waiting to be told in the upcoming exhibit, Play Ball: The Cactus League Experience.

Opening February 26, this new exhibit at the Arizona Museum for Youth kicks off Arizona’s spring training season.  The colorful history of professional baseball in our state is celebrated through interactive and educational exhibits.  It’s a fantastic way to hear stories of the players, teams and ballparks. Baseball fans and history buffs alike will have the opportunity to set their sights on never-before-seen items gathered from private collections of Arizonans who knew Ted Williams, Sandy Koufax and Willie McCovey and the other legendary boys of summer who worked hard each spring in the desert heat.

The exhibit will feature a “knothole” fence, an infield complete with vintage dugout, sky mural (here’s a great photo opportunity), interactive souvenirs, concession and ticket booths as well as a three-dimensional bus depot, all packed with history gathered from across the state and the country.

If you’re interested in an extensive timeline on the league’s history visit their website PlayBallExperience.com.  The museum is encouraging fans from across the country to participate on the site to share their story of Cactus League experiences and the option to build the collection of baseball memorabilia by loaning their treasures for this exhibit.

This is the second year of the exhibit and the popularity has contributed to the museum renovating new space for this year’s exhibit.  Your kids will love the displays and photos of baseball’s most famous players who at one point in their career made their mark in Arizona.

Arizona Museum for Youth
35 North Robson, Mesa (map)
480-644-2467

Photo courtesy of flickr

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