EC70’s Cantina Scores Big for Local Charities
Writer Shannon Severson // Photography Courtesy of Executive Council Charities
As the Arizona sun warms the Sonoran Desert, the symphony of spring training baseball — the crack of the bat, the scent of freshly cut grass and the roar of the crowd — sets the stage for a unique charitable event. Local 501(c)(3) nonprofit Executive Council Charities, better known as EC70, will host its 15th annual Cantina at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick experience this year.
“With more than 1.5 million fans annually attending spring training games in Arizona, the Cactus League and Salt River Fields, in particular, are the destination when it comes to preseason baseball,” says Justin Hodge, EC70’s 2025 Cantina chairman.
The events, held at 10 Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies games, are hosted on three private shaded viewing decks with exclusive VIP seating where up to 200 guests can relax, enjoying the best views in the stadium, stretching across the verdant outfield to the mountains beyond. This intimate setting offers a stark contrast to the typical spring training experience, providing an air of exclusivity that appeals to discerning attendees.
An exclusive ballpark lunch buffet menu and hosted bar serving beer, wine and cocktails are included. The menu features gourmet twists on ballpark classics, showcasing locally sourced ingredients and flavors that celebrate the Southwest. This elevated approach to traditional baseball fare creates a culinary experience worthy of North Scottsdale’s discerning palates.
Hodge says the open-air atmosphere and full-service hospitality create a casual, fun environment where guests can network, entertain clients and enjoy the game while basking in the gorgeous spring weather. He adds, “It’s a great time for a great cause,” noting that as a lifelong Arizonan and EC70 member for the past six years, he’s found it exciting to partner with both active and life members who share the perspective that giving back to the community is of utmost importance.
“All of our members use their businesses as leverage to do good in our community,” Hodge continues, “and I feel honored to be a member of a club that shares this outlook.”
The Cantina has become a favored way to host friends and clients and to network with similarly philanthropic baseball fans and community leaders in an elevated environment — part and parcel of the longstanding, beneficial partnership between business and baseball in the Valley. According to Arizona PBS, the 2023 Cactus League season drove an estimated $710.2 million to Arizona’s economy.
The Cantina event not only benefits charities but also contributes to the vibrant spring atmosphere in North Scottsdale, attracting high-profile visitors and fostering business connections that extend well beyond the baseball season.
Casey Strunk, president of Strunk Insurance Group, says the Cantina elevates spring training to another level with its blend of VIP treatment and community environment — the perfect intersection of business, fun and giving back. He says guests enjoy the convenience of dropping by for a few hours in the afternoon to enjoy a game, a drink and all that Salt River Fields has to offer.
“It’s hands-down one of the best experiences you can have during spring training in Arizona,” Strunk observes. “Over the years, we’ve hosted countless corporate events there, and it’s become a staple for us. Whether entertaining clients and prospects or showing appreciation for our team, the Cantina offers an unrivaled opportunity to connect and build relationships in a fun, relaxed atmosphere.
“It’s not just an event — it’s an opportunity to create memories, foster connections and strengthen company culture. Thanks to the incredible work of Executive Council Charities, it’s all for a great cause, too. We are proud to be a part of it year after year.”
EC70’s support has been pivotal for local charities like OCJ Kids, a nonprofit benefiting foster children and youth. Gary Webb, the organization’s president and founder, notes that EC70 funds helped launch a teen career fair for ages 16–18 and an annual overnight cowboy camp for 200 foster youth in Wickenburg at the Flying E Ranch each summer.
“[The Cantina] has allowed us the opportunity to get to know the members of the EC70 and to build relationships with their companies to impact more foster youth,” Webb says, noting that the charity uses the ballgames to grow relationships with potential corporate and private partners.
Since its founding in 1972 to benefit local Boys & Girls Clubs, EC70 has raised more than $12 million for youth charities in the last five years alone. As the Cantina continues to grow in popularity and prestige, it stands as a shining example of how luxury experiences can be harnessed to create lasting positive change, embodying the spirit of philanthropy that defines North Scottsdale.
Cantina at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick
See website for schedule // Salt River Fields at Talking Stick // 7555 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale // $165; group discounts available // ec70phx.com/cantina
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