Tucson’s baseball scene is getting a hometown boost.

Former Tucson Saguaros players Gary Mason and Marcus Catalano have launched the Old Pueblo Tribe, a team built to showcase local talent, give overlooked athletes a platform, and bring the community together both on and off the field.

Mason and Catalano first met in 2020 while playing professional baseball in the Pecos League during the height of COVID-19.

Mason, originally from Alabama, arrived in Houston in 2020 not knowing a soul. He quickly found family in his Tucson teammates, who had been displaced to Houston from their home field.

Years later, when he was approached about starting a professional team, Mason knew exactly who to call: his old teammate, Catalano.

“I was so amazed with how many athletes are in Tucson that can play professional baseball but it’s the lack of resources and exposure,” Mason said. “That was the main kick for us.”

The two had experienced those challenges firsthand. Both had seen athletes lose opportunities to favoritism, and they wanted to create something different: a level playing field where overlooked players could shine.

“There's good, slept-on athletes here in Tucson, and we definitely feel like it's worth giving them that platform,” Catalano said.

The Old Pueblo Tribe’s roster reflects that mission. Most of the players live in Tucson, with a few commuting from Phoenix. Many are originally from places like California, Pennsylvania, New Mexico, and the Dominican Republic but now call Tucson home. For Catalano, a Tucson native, it’s deeply personal.

“At the end of the day, a lot of us are playing ball because we love the game,” he said. “And part of loving the game is giving back. For me, this opportunity to create a team for my hometown, my home city — give back to players, give back to the fans and families — I live for that.”

The sense of community, Mason added, has set the tone since day one.

“The unity of the team is something special,” he said. “Representing the tribe, representing Tucson, it's a motivation for them to be great.”

The Old Pueblo Tribe’s impact stretches off the field, too. Mason and Catalano also run a nonprofit, the Tribe Mission, which partners with local businesses like Rollies, Right Way AC and Plumbing, Showtime Fire Protection, and Flaps and Racks to support the community.

With help from sponsors and collaborators like Young Mac Films, they’ve started laying plans for youth programs, school drives, and holiday events.

“We want to help school systems, you know, back-to-school drives," Mason said. "My dream, I want to get as big as Christmas presents for Christmas, Thanksgiving turkeys, those kinds of things."

Still, the challenges of running a new professional team are real.

Financing is tight, and the Tribe doesn’t yet have a home field.

Both Mason and Catalano also work full-time jobs: Mason in special education and Catalano as a barber.

“So much of this first year has been a learning curve,” Catalano said. “But the biggest thing is I see it growing. No matter what’s been thrown our way, we’ve gotten through. And we continue to grow every day.”

Even without a field or streaming setup, the Old Pueblo Tribe has gained momentum, and for Mason and Catalano, that’s proof their dream is worth chasing.

“If you really want to, if you’ve got this dream and want to chase it, you’re not going to let anything stop you,” Catalano said.

Isabela Gamez is a University of Arizona alum and Tucson Spotlight reporter. Contact her at gamezi@arizona.edu.

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