Tucson Electric ParkMountain Views and Fighter Jets Add to the Atmosphere of Diamondbacks Spring TrainingTucson Electric Park OverviewThe spacious Tucson Electric Park is the newer of the two Tucson spring training sites and has the best views of any Arizona spring training stadium. It has been the home of Arizona Diamondbacks spring training and Chicago White Sox spring training.
In 2009, however, the White Sox moved to the new Glendale spring training facility, which they share with the Los Angeles Dodgers. This leaves just two Tucson spring training teams: the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies, who play at Hi Corbett Field. The park is just about a two hour drive south of Chase Field, the Diamondbacks home stadium. Also known as TEP, Tucson Electric Park is part of the 163-acre Kino Sports Complex and includes practice fields, indoor batting tunnels, outdoor batting cages and even soccer and softball fields. Tucson Electric has all the modern amenities, good seating and great views of the Santa Catalina Mountains to the north. So, if the game lags, there’s always the spectacular sunsets to watch. For added fun during games, you might be treated to Old West gunfights by the "cowboys" from nearby Old Tucson Studios, an Old West theme park and Hollywood movie set. Davis Monthan Air Force Base is just a few miles away, so you’re guaranteed to see fighter jets flying in and out of the base. Arizona Diamondbacks Spring Training Tickets are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com. Or search StubHub.com for Arizona Diamondbacks Spring Training Tickets According to a memorandum of understanding between the two teams and Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, the new spring training site will be built on land now occupied by the Pavilion Lakes Golf Club, just east of Scottsdale near Indian Bend Road and the Loop 101 Freeway. This will be the first spring training site built on a Native American land. The new 140-acre facility will include an 11,000 seat stadium with sweeping views of several surrounding mountain ranges. The Salt River Pima-Maricopa will build and operate the complex, which will be designed by HKS Architects who also designed the new Glendale Stadium-Camelback Ranch facility. HKS Architects expects to break ground on the new site in November 2009. The joint move of the Rockies and Diamondbacks in 2011 will mean that all Cactus League spring training teams will be in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area.
The grassy outfield hillsides hold up to 3,000 and are good for picnics. There’s also lawn seating in the left field corner. If you want shaded seating, choose the upper level covered mezzanine seats. Group areas include the Chill & Grill Station and the VIP suites. Besides the typical hotdogs, popcorn, peanuts and beer, you can get roast beef sandwiches, pizza, Thai barbeque, fried zucchini and Hawaiian shaved ice. We recommend stopping by the El Charro Café booth, an outpost of Tucson’s famous, oldest continuously owned and operated Mexican restaurant in the United States. Their carne asada burrito is equally as famous, but you can also sample nachos and tamales. Hang out along the fence beyond the dugout down the third base line. Be patient, as players will generally stop if they see fans waiting. Tucson Electric Park HotelsThere is no lodging right near the stadium. The closest hotels near Tucson Electric Park are next to the Tucson International Airport.The airport is about 6 miles from Tucson Electric Park, on the far southeast edge of Tucson. There are several hotels here including:
If you want to stay in downtown Tucson, the Marriott Tucson University Park Located next to the University of Arizona, this large, multi-story hotel has a pool and spa, fitness center and restaurant and is close to shopping and dining. For a luxurious stay in the middle of the desert, the J.W. Marriott Starr Pass Resort And Spa This expansive resort has large pools, fine dining, a full service spa, a 27-hole championship golf course and beautiful desert and mountain views. To read our review: JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort. See this page for more Tucson Electric Park Hotels Activities Near Tucson Electric Park
Next door to Tucson Electric Park is the Kino Environmental Restoration Project – a 160-acre flood control basin and natural riparian habitat. A mostly level, paved 2-mile long exercise path curves around a raised reservoir dike, giving good views of the several ponds. The wetlands and ponds draw water birds including white-faced ibis, white-fronted goose, Sabine’s gull and black-necked stilts. Also keep an eye out for Harris hawks flying overhead and for burrowing owls in the open desert areas around the ponds. To see the amazing variety of animals and plants found in the desert, grasslands and mountains around Tucson, head west on the Ajo Highway to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, about 30 minutes away from the stadium
Set in the cactus-studded Tucson Mountains, this combination zoo, botanical garden and nature preserve has naturalistic exhibits showcasing animals such as mountain lions, coyotes, desert tortoise and roadrunners. Also not far from Tucson Electric Park is the stunning Mission San Xavier del Bac, roughly 17 minutes south on Interstate 19. Built over 200 years ago, this historic Spanish mission is still an active Catholic church. All visitors, regardless of faith, are welcome to explore this beautiful church with its exquisitely detailed frescoes, ornate alter and intricate sculptures. Dining Near Tucson Electric ParkMuch of the area around Tucson Electric Park is industrial, so there are not a lot of restaurants to choose from.Not far from TEP, at Ajo Way and Palo Verde Road, is the Java Edge Café (3820 E. Palo Verde Rd. Ste. 102; 520-294-3917). This coffeehouse eatery is a comfortable spot to relax and have a coffee with its café style tables, large comfy sofas and free Wi-Fi. In addition to a wide variety of coffees, they serve sandwiches and wraps, soups, salads, pastries, smoothies and milkshakes. The Ajo Café (3132 E. Ajo Way; 520-294-1100) is even closer to Electric Park and is said to be a hangout of Arizona Diamondback Players. This popular, homestyle diner serves big breakfasts all day plus lunch and homemade pies. While it doesn’t look like much from the outside, it is known for its very friendly and efficient wait staff and its cheap eats, which include chicken-fried steak, huevos rancheros and grilled cheese sandwiches. Two more popular Arizona Diamondback players’ hangouts are Sullivan’s Steakhouse (1785 E. River Rd.; 520-299-4275) and Daisy Mae’s Steakhouse (2735 W. Anklam Road; 520-792-8888). While neither of these Tucson steakhouses is near TEP, these restaurants are player favorites for their tasty, generous portions of steaks, ribs and chicken and relaxed atmosphere.
For fine dining not far from Tucson Electric Park, drive over to the Marriott Starr Pass Resort, tucked away in a beautiful desert canyon on the west side of the Tucson Mountains. Primo (3800 W. Starr Pass Blvd.; 520-792-3500) is the resort’s gourmet dining restaurant, featuring fresh from the garden Italian and Mediterranean cuisine, sourced from organic and sustainable farmers and producers. Primo Tucson is the western sister restaurant of Primo in Rockland, Maine, owned by James Beard Award-winning chef Melissa Kelly and pastry chef Price Kushner. Diners can sit inside in the rustic Italian style dining room or outside on the patio with views of Tucson’s city lights. The seasonal menu may change daily depending upon what produce is at its peak. In addition to local purveyors, Primo also uses herbs and vegetables that are grown in the resort’s own organic garden. Recent Primo menu selections included:
Reservations are recommended. Tucson Electric Park Tucson Arizona Fast FactsLocation: TEP is on the southeast edge of Tucson. It can easily be reached from Interstate 10. However, the current freeway construction project may create some delays, so give yourself extra driving time.Click here to see a map of the Tucson Spring Training Locations
Phone: 520-434-1011 You can purchase Arizona Diamondbacks Spring Training Tickets at Ticketmaster.com. 2010 Arizona Diamondbacks Spring Training Tickets Regular Tickets Prices
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Click here to see the complete 2010 Arizona Spring Training Schedule Number of Seats: 11,000 Notes:
Note: This information was accurate at the time of publication. All contact information, availability, access, directions and prices should be confirmed directly with the facility before making reservations and/or travel plans. Return to Arizona Spring Training Baseball Sites and Teams page from Tucson Electric Park
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