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It doesn’t appear that metro Phoenix’s spring training facilities will allow more visitors, even after Gov. Doug Ducey on Friday lifted Arizona’s occupancy restrictions.

Each of the Valley’s 10 spring training ballparks in February published plans to mark off thousands of seats and welcome a limited number of fans. After Ducey’s Friday announcement, which left mask and physical distancing requirements in place, the Cactus League did not announce plans to increase capacity at any of the Valley’s ballparks.

Cactus League Executive Director Bridget Binsbacher did not return a call for comment, although a spokesperson issued a statement from her saying the current seating arrangements are still in place.

“The Spring Training Occupancy Plan, created with the spring training host municipalities and the tribal community and filed with the Arizona Department of Health Services, remains in effect,” the statement said. “The health and safety of the public is the No. 1 concern of each of our ballparks.”

Local leaders who spoke with The Arizona Republic aren’t altering course.

Mesa, which is home to the Chicago Cubs at Sloan Park and the Oakland Athletics at Hohokam Stadium, “will remain as is,” acting Deputy City Manager Marc Heirshberg said.

“The plans and capacities we have in place account for social distancing which limits adding any additional capacity,” he said.

Peoria Sports Complex Superintendent Mike Hyland said that the northwest Valley suburb’s ballpark, which is home to the Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres, is in the same boat. There aren’t plans to increase capacity, and there “probably” won’t be, but Hyland noted that further discussions with Major League Baseball and the Cactus League could change plans.

“Obviously, this information is very fresh,” he said.

Valley leaders who asked to delay spring training were mixed when it started in February

A coalition of Valley mayors and the Cactus League in January asked Major League Baseball to delay spring training in light of Arizona’s then-spiking COVID-19 cases.

The decision was to start the season on schedule, with the first games played Feb. 28 and continuing through this month.

City leaders’ responses were mixed.

Surprise Mayor Skip Hall, who signed onto the January letter, later told The Republic he was glad the season would start on time. “I just want to see a full spring training season. Last year, we got it cut in half. We’ve got all the protocols in place.”

Others, like Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, expressed concern.

“The risk is that more people may believe we’ve defeated the COVID-19 virus even though the data tells a different story,” Gallego’s communications director Jeanine L’Ecuyer said in mid-February. “Until infection rates drop dramatically, we all must remain vigilant and follow what the science is telling us.”

Reach reporter Joshua Bowling at [email protected] or 602-444-8138. Follow him on Twitter @MrJoshuaBowling.

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