Kino Memorial Stadium
Tucson, AZ
Review by Mike
Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium is the home of the Tucson Saguaros of the independent Pecos League. This is, by far, the largest and most luxurious ballpark in the Pecos League, which generally sets up shop in small towns with either basic or smaller, older facilities that are no longer up to affiliated minor league standards. Kino holds 11,500 people for baseball. Imagine the shock to the system if the Saguaros were to have visited the California City Whiptails at Balsitis Park!
It was not always thus for Kino. It was built as a spring training and AAA facility, hosting the Diamondbacks and White Sox from its opening in 1998 until the Dbacks left town in 2010 to complete the consolidation of the Cactus League into the Phoenix area. The AAA team lasted until 2013, leaving Tucson with a really top-notch baseball stadium and no high-level tenant.
On the day of my visit, they were preparing for a high school graduation, which explains all of the white chairs in short centerfield. The ballpark is in immaculate condition and the field looks great. The large grandstand extends all the way down to the right field corner with fixed-back seats. The single seating also runs most of the way to the right file pole, with a bleacher section and grass berm just before the pole.
The concourse goes all the way around with more berm space for picnic blankets in the outfield. Suites, press boxes and a pair of loge-level sections on either side sit above and behind the concourse. A slatted shade arcs behind the last row of the lower deck to help protect fans from the Arizona sunshine. Concessions are found along the main concourse on the first level of the suite and press box structure.
The ballpark is painted a cheerful blue, but for the most part there is little in the way of adornment, but this is likely because there is no full-season tenant, with the Pecos League only setting up shop for about ten weeks. In 2022, the World Baseball Classic held some qualifying games at Kino, demonstrating its continuing viability as a top-notch facility. The city is keeping everything shipshape. For a ballpark that hasn’t seen AAA ball in 11 years, Kino Memorial Stadium is in wonderful condition and stands ready to answer when next the call comes.
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2024
259
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