Games start at 7 p.m. except on Thursday, Aug. 25, when a doubleheader starts at 6 p.m.  Gates open one hour before game time.

All college students will be admitted to the doubleheader for $4.50 with a school ID.  Former University of Arizona basketball coach Lute Olson will be signing books and UA items all throughout the first game and throwing out the “first pitch” for Game One.

Friday, Aug. 26, is Teacher Appreciation Night.  All southern Arizona teachers will receive a complimentary family ticket.

The last post-game Fireworks Spectacular of the season will be Saturday, Aug. 27.  For Padres tickets, call (520) 434-1367, visit www.tucsonpadres.com or visit the stadium box office between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. or before each game. Parking is free.

A series of concerts, Pima Community College football games, and an international baseball tournament in September and October make Kino Sports Complex the place to be as the weather cools down.

Lil’ Jon and Rusko headline N9NE Fest – a concert for all ages – on Friday, Sept. 9, on Field 9.  They’re joined by The Eye, Silver Medallion, Protohype, DJ Abate and Soulman.  Gates open at 6:30 p.m.  Buses will run between the event and the intersection of East Sixth Street and North Euclid Avenue from 6:15 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. (passes must be purchased in advance).  Tickets, bus passes and more information are available at www.n9nefest.com.  Parking is free.

Big & Rich and Gretchen Wilson bring the Xtreme Muzik Tour to Kino Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 10, with special guest Cowboy Troy.  Also appearing are Bradley Gaskin (Mr. Bartender), Greg Hanna, and Nathan Dean and The Damn Band.  The show starts at 4 p.m.; gates open at 3:30.  Tickets and more information are available at www.clickjab.com.

The 2011 KFMA Fall Ball is Sunday, Sept. 25, at Kino Stadium.  Stone Temple Pilots top a lineup that includes Staind, Chevelle, Five Finger Death Punch, Middle Class Rut, Redlight King, Falling in Reverse and Asking Alexandria.  Gates open at noon.  Parking is free.  For more information and tickets, go to kfma.com.  Tickets are also available at all Tucson-area Domino’s Pizza locations.

Pima Community College’s football Aztecs begin playing their home games at Kino Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 17.  The game against Snow College starts at 7 p.m.

Three Pacific League of Mexico teams and a team of top young players in the San Diego Padres minor league system will play doubleheaders on Oct. 7, 8 and 9 at Kino Stadium in the Vamos a Tucson Mexican Baseball Fiesta.  Games begin at 4 p.m. on Oct. 7 and 8 and at 1 p.m. on Oct. 9.  Tickets can be purchased in person at Kino Stadium, by calling (520) 434-1367 or online via www.tucsonpadres.com.

Save the date:  The Tucson Padres return to Kino Stadium on Thursday, April 5, 2012.

Kino Sports Complex is the largest professional sports and entertainment 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.

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.