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Questions about Kino Sports Complex

Short answers, pulled from the story.

When did Kino Sports Complex open and what was it originally called?

Kino Sports Complex opened in 1998 under the name Tucson Electric Park. The name changed to Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium in 2011 after the naming agreement with Tucson Electric Power expired, with the Pima County Board of Supervisors approving the new name on the 18th of January 2011.

Why did spring training leave Tucson and Kino Sports Complex?

The Chicago White Sox paid $5 million to the Pima County Board of Supervisors on the 18th of November 2008 to exit their lease early and move to a new stadium in Glendale for the 2009 season. The Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies indicated they needed Tucson to retain three spring training clubs to stay, and once that was impossible, Tucson lost its Cactus League games entirely.

Who is Eusebio Kino and why is Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium named after him?

Eusebio Kino was a Jesuit missionary who first explored southern Arizona in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. The Pima County Board of Supervisors chose his name for the stadium in 2011 after the previous naming rights agreement with the local electric utility ended.

What teams have played home games at Kino Sports Complex?

Teams that have used Kino Sports Complex include the Arizona Diamondbacks and Chicago White Sox for Cactus League spring training, the Tucson Sidewinders of the Pacific Coast League from 1998 to 2008, the Tucson Padres from 2011 to 2013, the Tucson Saguaros of the Pecos League since 2016, and FC Tucson of USL League Two at the North Stadium since 2012. The New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer also use the complex for preseason.

What happened to the Tucson Padres after they left Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium?

The Tucson Padres departed for El Paso, Texas before the 2014 season and renamed themselves the El Paso Chihuahuas. They had originally been the Portland Beavers before relocating to Tucson in 2011.

What international event has been held at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium?

The qualifying round for the 2023 World Baseball Classic was held at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium in September 2022. The stadium seats 11,500 fans and provided the infrastructure needed to host international tournament play.