Tucson was supposed to host the Arizona Fall League on Saturday, marking the return of MLB’s prospect showcase after a 30-plus-year hiatus.
Then Mother Nature intervened.
The AFL announced Thursday that the tripleheader scheduled for Saturday at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium has been canceled “due to weather concerns related to Hurricane Priscilla.”
Priscilla, which has been downgraded to a tropical storm, is expected to bring rain to Southern Arizona throughout the weekend.
“While we are disappointed in the decision to cancel this event, the safety of our players, staff and fans is our utmost priority at this time,” Chuck Fox, director of the AFL, said in a news release.
In a separate release, Sarah Horvath, director of the Kino Sports Complex, said: “In speaking with the Arizona Fall League officials, we hope to continue a positive relationship in the future.”
The AFL said that “every attempt” would be made to make up the games at a later date “at a new site.”
Fans who purchased tickets to Saturday’s event can exchange them for tickets to the AFL Home Run Derby and the Fall Stars Game on Nov. 8-9 at Sloan Park in Mesa. Refund options also are available. Fans can email arizonafallleague@mlb.com for additional information.
Kino Stadium will serve as the home ballpark for the Tucson Baseball Team starting Thursday, Oct. 16. TBT will play a 34-game home schedule as a member of the Mexican Pacific Winter League.
