Metro Phoenix ballparks are preparing for spring training baseball to start on schedule, despite pleas to delay the season made by the Cactus League and a coalition of Valley mayors. After they sent a letter to Major League Baseball and asked the organization to pump the brakes, MLB proposed delaying the season by one month. The players union in response said it is ready to proceed with spring training on schedule, with pitchers and catchers reporting on Feb. 17 and the planned slate of games. The MLB on Friday released an updated schedule, saying games will start on Feb. 28 and run through March.