Jan. 25, 2021 Although the start of spring training may be delayed, the Chicago Cubs have sent emails to season-ticket holders at Sloan Park in Mesa that the club is shifting to limited, socially distanced pod-style seating for their games. (File photo by Kevin Hurley/Cronkite News) PHOENIX – The Cactus League has asked Major League Baseball (MLB) to delay the start of spring training in Arizona due to high COVID-19 infection rates in Maricopa County. The request came in a letter addressed to MLB commissioner Rob Manfred. “In view of the current state of the pandemic in Maricopa County – with one of the nation’s highest infection rates – we believe it is wise to delay the start of spring training to allow for the COVID-19 situation to improve here,” the letter sent on Friday said.