Tucson Saguaros
Independent Pecos League baseball team based in Tucson, Arizona.
The Tucson Saguaros are a professional baseball team based in Tucson, Arizona, that started playing in 2016. They belong to the Pecos League, an independent league with no ties to Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball. Often called the "Cactus Crew," the Saguaros have won multiple Pecos League championships.
The team was announced as an expansion franchise in November 2015. For their first season, they played Thursday through Sunday at Cherry Field and neutral-site games Monday through Wednesday at Vargas Field in Winslow. In 2016 and 2017, their main home was Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium, except for Sunday games at Warren Ballpark in Bisbee. They moved to Reid Park Field #5 for Thursday through Sunday games in 2018, then switched to Cherry Field on July 4, 2018, because it had lights for night games. Spring training was held at Pascua Yaqui Pueblo Park on the Pascua Pueblo Yaqui Reservation, and starting in 2018, also at Reid Park Field #5, where the Ruidoso Osos joined them.
In 2016, the Saguaros opened their inaugural season with a 6–0 start, sweeping the Santa Fe Fuego. On May 25, they beat the White Sands Pupfish 22–12 with 29 hits and four home runs, including one by starting pitcher Carlos Diaz. They won the 2016 Pecos League championship on August 11, beating the Trinidad Triggers 2–0 in a series. Trailing 4–1 in the bottom of the ninth, catcher Jesse Baker scored the winning run on a wild pitch by Christian Schneider to pinch hitter Thomas McKenna.
For 2017, the team finished with the league’s best record at 46–11 but lost the Pacific Division series to the High Desert Yardbirds 2–1. Five players returned from 2016: pitchers Brandon Cook, Jake Eaton, and Matt Kelley, and outfielders Burnell Dailey and Thomas McKenna.
In 2018, the team moved from the Pacific Division to the Southern Division and shifted home games to Reid Park Field #5.
Quick Facts
- Founded
- 2015
- City
- Tucson, Arizona
- League
- Pecos League
- Division
- Mountain South
- Ballpark
- Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium
- Former Ballparks
- Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium (2016–2017, 2022–present) / Amphitheater High School (2021) / Cherry Field (2018–2019) / Gene C. Reid Park Field #5 (2018) / Warren Ballpark (2016–2017)
- League Champs
- 2016, 2020, 2021, 2025
- Owner
- Andrew Dunn
- Manager
- Sean McNeill
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Tucson Saguaros were announced as an expansion franchise in November 2015 and began play in the 2016 season. Their inaugural season was a success, as they won the league championship by defeating the Trinidad Triggers 2 games to 0. The championship-clinching game featured a dramatic bottom-of-the-ninth rally, with catcher Jesse Baker scoring the winning run on a wild pitch.
Over the years, the Saguaros have frequently changed home fields and divisions. They played at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium in 2016 and 2017, with Sunday games at Warren Ballpark in Bisbee. In 2018, they moved to Reid Park Field #5, then to Cherry Field on July 4, 2018, which had lights for night games.
Reader's Guide
The Tucson Saguaros represent a notable example of independent professional baseball in the United States, operating outside the structure of Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball. Their significance lies in their consistent competitiveness within the Pecos League, winning four championships and posting a league-record 51 wins in their inaugural season. The team's frequent relocation of home fields—from Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium to Cherry Field, Reid Park, and even Amphitheater High School—reflects the logistical challenges faced by independent teams. The Saguaros also adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic by playing the entire 2020 season in Houston. Their legacy includes a strong fan base, as evidenced by the record attendance of 8,720 in 2016, and a roster that has produced multiple Pecos League award winners, including MVP Nathan Etheridge and Pitcher of the Year Steven Borkowski. The team's colloquial name, 'Cactus Crew,' and its ties to the Tucson area underscore its regional identity.
Did You Know?
- The Saguaros set a Pecos League record with 51 wins in their inaugural 2016 season.
- On July 4, 2016, the team drew a record crowd of 8,720 fans to a game against Roswell.
- The 2020 season was played entirely at Coastal Park in Houston, Texas, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The Saguaros have played home games at seven different venues, including Cherry Field, Reid Park, and Amphitheater High School.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Tucson Saguaros?
The Tucson Saguaros are a professional independent baseball team out of Tucson, Arizona, that began competing in 2016. Fans and media often refer to the squad by their nickname, the "Cactus Crew."
What league do the Tucson Saguaros play in?
They compete in the Pecos League, a fully independent circuit that has no organizational ties to Major League Baseball or any minor league system.
Where do the Tucson Saguaros play their home games?
Their primary home venue has been Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium, though they have also used Cherry Field, Reid Park Field #5, and other Tucson-area sites. During their inaugural 2016 season, they split games between Cherry Field and a neutral site at Vargas Field in Winslow.
Have the Tucson Saguaros won any Pecos League championships?
Yes, the Cactus Crew have claimed two league titles, winning the championship in both 2016 and 2021.
What is the Tucson Saguaros' best season record?
Their standout year came in 2017, when the team posted a 46-11 mark.
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