Peoria Sports Complex — Attraction in Peoria

Facility Facts

Most Unique Concessions Item: The foot-long "Ruthian" hot dog is reserved for those with a bambino-sized appetite! Best Known Ballpark Amenity: Several craft beer brands and flavors from the Pacific Northwest and Southern California. Most Distinguishable Stadium Feature: Peoria Cove, a ship-themed kids' attraction with a mini baseball field, splash pad and playground! Best Ballpark Game Tradition: Availability is extremely limited, but on select games, children can sign up to take the field with a player or announce a batter! Most Interesting Stadium Tidbit: Peoria Sports Complex was the first two-team spring training facility in baseball.

Stadium Scoop

Autographs: While the practice fields are always a good spot, fans can stake out a piece of turf at the stadium's "Autograph Alley," which every player has to pass through to reach the stadium field. Parking: Don't use Bell Road! Exit off the 101 Loop at Thunderbird Road, Union Hills Drive or 75th Avenue for less congested routes to the stadium. Concessions: Fans can choose their beer based on their palate, not their wallet as all domestic, craft and imported beers are priced exactly the same. Tickets: Don't procrastinate! Avoid the lines and save money by buying your game tickets in advance. If interested in coming as a group, be sure to inquire on our premium group areas with full catering and bar in the Colonnade and at the Pavilion! Gates: Fans can bring their own food, but don't break the seal on your drinks! Only factory-sealed water bottles and juice boxes are allowed. Fans on the lawn, bring a blanket! Lawn chairs are not permitted.

Team Travels

The San Diego Padres have trained in Arizona since their National League inception in 1969. The club spent spring training in western Arizona's Yuma through 1993. In 1994, the Padres moved to the City of Peoria, joining the Seattle Mariners at the first two-team spring training facility ever built, Peoria Sports Complex.

Philanthropic Partner

The Peoria Diamond Club is a volunteer organization that supports the City of Peoria, the San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners in spring training operations every season. Their mission is to raise funds for local youth charities, causes and...

I'm trying to make my way around to all of the spring training locations. This location was okay. When looking for your seats, note that odds are one direction and evens are the other direction.

As far as the ballpark goes, it's great to be so close to the field. You can see a lot better than a full sized stadium. We were right up front, and if you think about the price compared to the regular season, seats so close would cost a lot more during the regular season. It's a great deal. We still like to bring binoculars though!

The seats are close together, uncomfortable, and don't have enough leg room. I started cramping up and really wanted to walk around. People from out of state who sat around us were very sun burnt. If you're not aware of the weather in AZ, the air may feel cool, but the sun will burn you and make you feel like your skin will catch fire at any moment. Bring your sun screen and stay hydrated. I like to keep my skin covered. Those light colored, breathable UV shirts are a good option. Light breathable pants are good too. Bring layers. When you're in the shade you're freezing, when you're in the sun you're burning. Ball caps will keep the sun off your face. Sunglasses will allow you to see in the sun.

Food - If you are vegetarian, you're options are limited. If you're vegan, you're probably out of luck. I scoured the internet looking for a list of the foods they served. They have a few stands that all sell the same things. I should have snapped a photo, but didn't think of it until we left. They have the standard stadium foods like meat hot dogs, fries, nachos, etc. Then there are a few foods trucks that have things like pizza and noodles (I saw a vegetable noodle bowl). And that's pretty much it for vegetarian options. So to summarize, vegetarian options are fries, nachos, pizza, and noodles. If that's no good for you, I recommend eating before or after the game. I hope they get veggie dogs and / or veggie...

We were glad we accompanied our neighbor, a diehard Seattle Mariners fan, to a spring training game at this fun Peoria Cactus League stadium on a beautiful March day. The spacious, all-outdoor midway is a testament to the typically great weather this time of year. There’s every kind of stadium food you could possibly want, and a wide selection of beers, though I couldn’t find a non-alcoholic offering. Of course I had a hot dog with plenty of mustard, and peanuts in the shell, and a soft pretzel with mustard (I can never have too much mustard). The seats were comfy, with good elbow room, ample knee room, and a sufficient rake that the head of the guy in front of you doesn’t block your view of a critical play at a critical moment. The grassy area beyond left field is great for picnicking, and it’s probably where the dogs go on the Bark at the Park days. The green grass is almost like a continuation of the left fields grass. Bring your glove, as home runs would land here. There’s a huge TV screen behind the grassy area and a tented area with seating to its left (looking out from home plate). There’s also a pirate ship playground area for kids. Unfortunately, my friend’s Mariners lost but it was a very fun day. Highly...