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February 10, 2022
Peoria’s Hometown Newspaper
Cactus League on the ropes for 3rd year BY KEN SAIN
Peoria Times Staff Writer
BUSINESS..... 11
17
Spring is coming, but it appears Cactus League baseball will be delayed. Pitchers and catchers are scheduled to start reporting on Valentine’s Day, but instead of peanuts and Cracker Jacks, baseball fans will likely get broken hearts. A labor dispute is threatening the Cactus League season. If it delays the start, it will be the third straight year that Spring Training in Arizona suffered. “The Cactus League is the crown jewel of Arizona tourism,” said Kim Sabow,
president and CEO of the Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association. “There is most definitely a ripple effect that permeates our entire economy.” Baseball owners locked out players once the previous collective bargaining agreement expired on Dec. 2. MLB Players Association leaders have said they gave up too much in the most recent agreements and they are determined to get some of that back. The Associated Press reported that the average salary for Major League Baseball players has dropped from about $4.1 million in 2018 to $4.05 million in 2019 and
$3.89 million in 2020 (based on a whole season). The median MLB salary last year was down 6% from where it was in 2017. AP said the last time salaries were this low was in 2015. Owners, however, don’t want to give up their gains. Both sides are hoping that as financial pressure builds, either in the form of missed paychecks or gate receipts, the other side will be more willing to compromise. However, for that to happen, Spring Training and possibly regular season games SEE SPRING TRAINING PAGE 3
Theater Works hopes to ‘reconnect’ with fundraiser BY SCOTT SHUMAKER Peoria Times Staff Writer
SPORTS......... 13 Faith leaders want 2023 Super Bowl moved
OPINION...................... 7 BUSINESS.................. 11 SPORTS...................... 13 FEATURES.................. 17 RELIGION................... 21 CLASSIFIEDS.............. 24
Two years after the pandemic lowered the curtain on traditional stage performances worldwide, Peoria’s community theater troupe Theater Works is planning to raise it again with the Saturday, Feb. 19, fundraising event Ignite Our Next Act. Through the event, the nonprofit company is looking to generate operating funds, but Executive Director Cate Hinkle said the night of musical theater, dancing and live music is more than a fundraiser. It’s the first step in bringing Peoria’s theater lovers together again. “We’ve been fortunate enough to survive these SEE THEATER WORKS PAGE 4
Theater Works will celebrate its return to traditional format community theater this year at Ignite Our Next Act fundraiser on Saturday, Feb. 19. (Photo courtesy of Theater Works)
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