Kino Stadium to Host Baseball in April

The Tucson Padres – now the El Paso Chihuahuas – will return to Kino Sports Complex for four days of Triple-A baseball in April.

MountainStar Sports Group, the owner of the San Diego Padres Triple-A team, announced today that the Chihuahuas will play the Reno Aces (Arizona Diamondbacks) at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium on April 11-14.

“We are happy to have them here and will be glad for them to play additional games here if they desire,” Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry said.

MountainStar opted to move the team to El Paso after its 2013 season, where a $60.2 million Triple-A baseball stadium is under construction.

But in case the stadium was not completed in time for the 2014 season, MountainStar agreed to pay the Pima County Stadium District $70,000 to extend the team’s contract until Oct. 31, 2014. The Board of Supervisors approved the extension in September.

“After meeting with the City of El Paso Project Manager, MountainStar Sports Group has elected to move the home opening day for the El Paso Chihuahuas in the new downtown ballpark to Monday, April 28,” said Alan Ledford, president of MountainStar.

Ledford said that the adjustment of the home opening date will allow construction crews the critical time required to prepare the new ballpark. Public safety components, concession spaces, and state-of-the-art amenities will be finalized during this time.

Long-time Tucson Triple-A General Manager Mike Feder will oversee the Tucson games.

Tickets will go on sale at Kino Stadium on Monday, March 3. Call 520-434-1367 for more information after that date. Game day details will be finalized over the next few weeks.

Kino Sports Complex is the largest venue in Pima County for youth, amateur and professional sports, concerts, and community events. The south baseball complex includes the 11,000-seat Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium, seven full-size fields, three clubhouses and parking. The north soccer complex includes the 2,900-seat North Stadium, which is home to the FC Tucson soccer club, a 1,000-seat North Grandstand field, four additional fields, and a clubhouse with parking. To learn more or schedule an event, go to www.kinosportscomplex.com or call 520-546-5466.