Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium Tips

Tucson Electric Park opened in 1998, and was the spring training home of the 2005 World Champion Chicago White Sox and the 2001 World Champion Arizona Diamondbacks. The Tucson Sidewinders, the Diamondbacks AAA affiliate, also played at TEP during the regular season, but they were sold in 2007 and the 2008 season was their last in Tucson. The White Sox and the Diamondbacks both moved to the Phoenix area. The White Sox play Cactus League Ball at Camelback-Ranch in Glendale, and the Diamondbacks play at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.

In 2010 the name of the staduim changed from Tucson Electric Park to Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium. The Tucson Padres, the Triple-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres, will play minor league baseball here until 2013. The Tucson Padres are in the Pacific Coast League (PCL).

These photos will help you get a feel for Tucson Electric Park before you buy your tickets and plan your day at the ballpark.

Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium Tips

These comments are based on my visit in March 2008.

1. There's a charge to park at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium.
2. Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium is unusual in that there is berm (grass seating on the third base side of the field, toward the outfield. There is more berm in left field and centerfield.
3. The concourse at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium is at ground level, and the seats and field go down from there. There is a large section (more than 20 rows) of lower level seats at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium. The seats in the outfield lower level are bleachers with backs. On the third base side, the upper level outfield seats are bleachers without backs.
4. There is a small upper level on both the first and third base infield sides that is covered.
5. Best concessions? Besides my favorite foot-long dogs, you can get great nachos at the Mexican food concession, roasted corn, and root beer floats.
6. There's a nice picnic table area down the first base line where you can eat snacks comfortably before or during the game.
7. The main scoreboard at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium is the only scoreboard.
8. About 11,000 fans (8,000 in seats) can watch a game at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium, and it rarely sells out, so game day tickets are usually available to the gate.
9. If you are traveling from Phoenix, don't forget the the Kino Sports Complex, where Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium is located, is at the southern side of Tucson. Leave an extra 15 minutes above and beyond your typical drive time to downtown Tucson.
10. What?? No souvenir cups??

Pictures of Tucson Electric Park
Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium Seating Chart
Map and Directions to Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium

As of 2011 there aren't any MLB teams that play Spring Training baseball in the Tucson area. If Spring Training information is what you are looking for, everything you need to know to get in on Cactus League action -- team schedules, tickets, stadium information, maps, team gear, photos -- can be found in the Arizona Spring Training, Cactus League Guide.

_{All prices and offerings are subject to change without notice.}