Tickets will go on sale Tuesday, Aug. 23, at 10 a.m. for the Vamos a Tucson Mexican Baseball Fiesta, to be held Oct. 7-  at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium (2500 E. Ajo Way, Tucson, AZ 85713) in Tucson. Tickets can be purchased in person at Kino Stadium, on the phone by calling (520) 434-1367 or online via www.tucsonpadres.com.

The Tucson Padres, the organizers of the tournament, will handle all ticket sales, sponsorships, concessions, merchandise and game operations. The ticket prices are as follows:

• Reserved Seats: $12
• General Admission: $8 for Adults / $7 for children 6-16, seniors age 55 and older, and military (with ID)
• Groups 20 or More: $10 for Reserved Seats and $6 for General Admission
• 3-Day Pass: $30 for Reserved Seat (same seat for all three days)

The tournament will consist of a doubleheader each day – Friday and Saturday begin at 4 p.m., Sunday will begin at 1 p.m.  There will be a three-hour time limit on the first game each day.  The featured game will be the Naranjeros vs. Yaquis in the late game on Saturday.  Each team will play a single game against the other three teams over the three days. There will also be additional announcements in the coming weeks about entertainment and mascots appearing at Kino Stadium.

“We have received an overwhelming response for the Vamos a Tucson Mexican Baseball Fiesta,” said Tucson Padres Vice President and General Manager Mike Feder.  “We plan on producing an atmosphere as similar to the Pacific League of Mexico’s regular season as possible as far as music, entertainment and food. The teams have been very accommodating.”

The Pacific League of Mexico (Liga Mexicana del Pacifico), also referred as the Winter League of Mexico was founded in 1945 under the name League of the Pacific Coast.  Currently this league plays from October to February, and the champion of the league plays in the renowned Caribbean Series.  The league hosts several prospects of Major League Baseball, Triple-A Baseball and several players from Mexico currently playing in the Major Leagues.

Participating teams

Naranjeros de Hermosillo – This team based in the Capital of Sonora,has a great following and strong attendance. Former Hermosillo players include Curt Schilling, Larry Walker, Fernando Valenzuela, Erubiel Durazo and Vinny Castilla.

Yaquis de Ciudad Obregon – The team from Obregon is the current champion of the Pacific League of Mexico and also the Caribbean Series.  Games between the Naranjeros and Yaquis are considered some of the best games in the league, due to the long rivalry between both teams.  Former Obregon players include Joakim Soria, Ed Vosberg and current Tucson Padres infielder Everth Cabrera.

Aguilas de Mexicali – The Aguilas play in the Capital of Baja California.  The team has a history of playing against Tucson teams, when in the ‘50s it played against the Tucson Cowboys in the Arizona-Mexico League.  Former Mexicali players include Mike Piazza, John Kruk and Rudy Seanez.

San Diego Padres Minor League Prospects – This team will be made up of the top young players in the San Diego Padres minor league system.

A Facebook Group page has been created by the Tucson Padres at Vamos a Tucson Mexican Baseball Fiesta to provide additional information and to answer all questions.  In less than one day, 108 members have been added.  All new members will be accepted.

For more information, contact Tim Hagerty at (520) 434-1338 or tim@tucsonpadres.com.  For all media inquiries in Spanish, please contact Jessica Stephens with the Metropolitan Tucson Convention and Visitors Bureau at (520) 770-2143 or jstephens@visittucson.org.

If you are looking for a fun activity – and fireworks – over the long Fourth of July weekend that you can enjoy with friends and family, head to Kino Sports Complex.

From Friday, July 1, through Tuesday, July 5, The Baseball Legends LLC is sponsoring the Cecil Fielder Elite World Series.  This baseball tournament for youth ages 16 and under runs 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily.  Admission is $5 (children under 13 are free) at the gate.  If you plan to watch a game, please use the Ajo Parking Lot (one lot west of the main stadium entrance).  Games will be played at the South Quad fields 4, 5, 6 and 7.

Freedom Festival 2011 presented by Kiim FM and Clickjab returns to Kino Sports Complex Saturday, July 2.  Parking is FREE and gates open at 3 p.m.  This year, the entertainment is better than ever with country artists Neil Russell, Ash Bowers, Sunny Sweeney, Steve Holy, and headliner Tracy Lawrence, who will take the stage from 9 to 10:15 p.m.  A fireworks finale will immediately follow the final act.  Tickets may be purchased the day of the concert, but if you buy them in advance you can save some cash (at least $10 per ticket presale).  For more information on concert ticket prices, go to www.kinosportscomplex.com/tickets.html.  This is an all-ages concert with free admission for children ages 12 and under.  If you are driving, remember that the venue has two entrances: from Ajo Way or from Country Club Road.  Folding chairs and blankets are permitted on the Soccer Fields, but coolers, backpacks, etc. are not allowed past the gate.  The entire list of permitted items is posted on the ticket website page.

On Monday, July 4, the Tucson Padres will play the Reno Aces in the Triple-A Baseball Star Spangled Spectacular at Kino Stadium.  Gates open at 6 p.m., the game starts at 7, and the parking is FREE.  The first 5,000 fans will receive a certificate for a free apple pie from McDonalds.  A professional fireworks show is scheduled immediately after the game.  Buy your game tickets today at www.tucsonpadres.com.  Wow, baseball, apple pie, and fireworks on the Fourth of July – how American is that!

Be sure to check the Kino Sports Complex calendar for other community activities and sporting events.  In September we have back-to-back concerts with N9ne Fest on Field 9 on Sept. 9 and Clickjab and KiiM FM presenting another Country Concert with Big & Rich and Gretchen Wilson on Sept. 10.  Pima Community College’s Aztec home football games will be at Kino Stadium again this year, beginning Sept. 10 against Scottsdale Community College.  Other community events like Pride in the Desert, Hope Fest, and the Making Strides Against Cancer Walk are scheduled in October.

Kino Sports Complex is the largest professional sports venue of its kind in Pima County.  It includes the 11,000-seat Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium, 12 baseball fields (five with lights) and lighted softball and soccer fields.  With its panoramic view of the Santa Catalina Mountains, it is a natural fit for youth, high school and collegiate sports. Plus, it makes a great setting for social gatherings, concerts, and community events. To learn more, or to schedule an event, go to www.kinosportscomplex.com.

TUCSON, Ariz. – The Tucson Padres, The Metropolitan Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau and The Sonora Sports Commission have partnered with other groups to bring Mexico’s Winter League preseason games to Tucson.

The Naranjeros of Hermosillo, the Yaquis of Obregon and the Aguilas of Mexicali will play a Tucson team (yet to be named) at Kino Sports Complex on October 7, 8 and 9, two days before the league season opener.

PACIFIC LEAGUE OF MEXICO

The Pacific League of Mexico (Liga Mexicana del Pacifico), also referred as the Winter League of Mexico, was founded in 1945 under the name of League of the Pacific Coast. Currently, this league plays from October to February when the champion of the league plays in the renowned Caribbean Series. The league hosts several prospects of Major League Baseball AAA and several players from Mexico playing in the Major Leagues.

NARANJEROS DE HERMOSILLO

This team, based in the capital of Sonora, has a great following and strong attendance. Some players who have played in this team include Curt Schilling, Bob Darwin, Larry Walker, Fernando Valenzuela and Vinicio Castilla.

YAQUIS DE CIUDAD OBREGON

The team from Obregon is the current champion of the Pacific League of Mexico and also the Caribbean Series. Games between the Naranjeros and Yaquis are considered some of the best matches in the league, due to the long rivalry between both teams.

AGUILAS DE MEXICALI

The Aguilas play in the capital of Baja California. The team has a history of playing against Tucson teams, when in the 1950s it participated with the Tucson Cowboys in the Arizona-Mexico Baseball League.

KINO SPORTS COMPLEX

Kino Sports Complex is the largest professional sports venue of its kind in Pima County.  It includes the 11,000-seat Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium, where the Tucson Padres play almost every other week through August 28; 12 baseball fields (five with lights); and lighted softball and soccer fields.  It is a natural fit for professional, youth, high school and collegiate sports. Plus, it makes a great setting for social gatherings, concerts, and community events. To learn more, go to www.kinosportscomplex.com.

This letter to the editor is in the June 23-29 issue of the Tucson Weekly at http://www.tucsonweekly.com/tucson/mailbag/Content?category=1063730:

Dave Devine’s story (“Taxes and Timing,” Currents, May 26) about the need for fields and facilities for youth sports in Pima County didn’t mention the county’s premier sports venue that is a perfect fit for youth, high school, college and adult sporting events: Kino Sports Complex.

Too often, Kino Sports Complex’s resources are not fully utilized, in part because we need to do a better job of telling the community they’re available. So this is an attempt to do just that. We don’t have to wait for the election mentioned in the column to put these beautiful fields and facilities to work for youth and amateur sports.

In addition to the 11,000-seat Kino Memorial Stadium, where the Tucson Padres play almost every other week through Aug. 28, the sports complex has 12 full-sized baseball fields (five with lights); two quad observation towers with snack bars; three practice infields; two indoor batting cages; two outdoor batting cages; one underground batting tunnel; a major/minor league clubhouse; a another separate major league clubhouse and minor league clubhouse; two lighted soccer fields; two lighted softball fields; and four separate parking lots, all spread over 155 acres.

We were disappointed when major league baseball relocated to a new stadium. While our main objective is major league spring training baseball, we must continue to manage the facility and capitalize on its immense opportunities.

The fields were well-utilized during the spring training season. Activities included the Arizona Diamondbacks sixth annual Fantasy Camp; Under Armour’s baseball tournament that drew high school players and pro scouts from across the country; and tournaments hosted by Sahuaro, Catalina and Salpointe Catholic high schools. Coming in July, The Baseball Legends group will host the Cecil Fielder Elite World Series, and the Kino Baseball League will host the Arizona State Babe Ruth Tournament. Also, Pima Community College will play its home football games at Kino Stadium again this year.

But the complex is truly a multi-use facility. The KFMA Day concert on May 7 drew nearly 14,000 people. The Freedom Fest Concert is on July 2, and plans are under way for five more concerts to round out the year. Besides the concert lineup, we have community events such as the Hope Fest, and the Making Strides Against Cancer walk scheduled in October.

A calendar of events is posted at www.kinosportscomplex.com. For more information, call 434-1011.

Chris Bartos, director, Pima County Stadium District