The Tucson Padres have scheduled a salute to Southern Arizona law enforcement and fire personnel on Friday, April 19, at the Padres game against the Salt Lake Bees at Kino Stadium. The game begins at 7:05 p.m.

Any Southern Arizona law enforcement or fire personnel will get two free box seat tickets ($20 value) by showing their law enforcement or fire ID at the box office at 2500 E. Ajo Way between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays.

“We want to thank the fine men and women that serve our community,” said Mike Feder, vice president and general manager of the Tucson Padres. “I’m a proud member of the Tucson Police Foundation and continually support the efforts of the firefighters. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department continually works with our team to provide quality off-duty security at all of our games.

“We will be glad to provide a concourse table to any police- and fire-related organizations to spread the word about their great activities or public safety issues.”

For more information or to purchase other tickets to Tucson Padres games, visit www.tucsonpadres.com, stop by the Kino Stadium box office between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays or call 520-434-1367.

Kino Sports Complex is the largest sports and entertainment venue in Pima County. The home of the Triple-A Tucson Padres baseball team and the FC Tucson soccer club includes the 11,000-seat Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium, a 2,000-seat North Grandstand soccer field and a 2,000-seat North Stadium under construction. Along with seven more baseball fields (four with lights), lighted softball fields, and four more soccer fields, it is a great fit for youth, amateur and professional sports, concerts, and community events. Visit www.kinosportscomplex.com or call (520) 546-5466.

The Tucson Padres return to Kino Stadium April 12-19 for their first homestand of the season against Fresno and Salt Lake City. Fireworks follow the Saturday, April 13, game.

Games start at 7:05 p.m. (1:05 p.m. on Sunday). For tickets, visit www.tucsonpadres.com, stop by the Kino Stadium box office between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays or call 520-434-1367.

You can listen to the Padres’ opening game on Thursday, April 4, at Salt Lake City at 5:25 p.m. on 1290 AM The Source.

Also coming up in April at Kino Sports Complex:

• The 15^th Annual Southern Arizona Procurement Fair is Friday, April 5, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. People who make purchasing decisions, are seeking local suppliers, or want to do business with Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, City of Tucson Housing and Community Development and Pima County Procurement Department, as well as federal agencies, can network, exchange information and attend workshops at Kino Stadium. For more information, please visit http://www.pima.gov/procure/index.asp.
• The Lazydays RV Show, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 5 and 6, will offer special pricing on a huge selection of towables, five wheels, and motorized coaches. Over 60 units will be on display for viewing in the Kino Stadium main parking lot. If you love RVing you don’t want to miss this show with free admission and free parking. The dealership is located a short distance from Kino at 3200 E. Irvington or visit www.lazydays.com to see the wide selection of vehicles for sale.
• The 2013 NAMIWalk Southern Arizona on Saturday, April 6, is a fundraiser as well as an awareness raiser for the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Southern Arizona. The walk check-in begins at 7 a.m. at Kino Stadium, and 5K or 3K walks begin at 9 a.m. Food and entertainment will be provided. Participation is free but donations are appreciated. Proceeds are used to provide essential and free education, advocacy and support group programs for people living with mental illness and their loved ones; and to encourage mental illness research. More than 4,000 people participated last year. For more information or to register, please visit http://www.namisa.org/.

KFMA Day 2013, Southern Arizona’s largest outdoor concert festival, is Saturday, May 4, at Kino Stadium. The all-ages show starts at 1 p.m.; doors open at noon. Tickets are on sale now at all Domino’s Pizza locations or at www.kfma.com.

The Arizona Diamondbacks will take on the San Diego Padres in the second Major League Baseball spring training game at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium in March.

The Tucson Padres and the Pima County Sports & Tourism Authority announced today that the two teams will play a split-squad game at Sunday, March 17 at 1:05 pm. Both teams have a second Spring Training game that day in the Phoenix area.

The Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers will play at 1:05 p.m. Thursday, March 21, in a game that will benefit the Christina-Taylor Green Memorial Foundation.

Tickets for both games go on sale Saturday, Feb. 9, at 10 a.m. Visit www.tucsonpadres.com or stop by the Kino Stadium box office, which is open until 5 p.m. that Saturday only and otherwise is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays. Tucson Padres season ticket holders, voucher plan holders and sponsors can purchase their spring training tickets starting Monday, Feb. 4, by calling 520-434-1367.

Tucson Spring Training Ticket Prices

March 17 – Padres vs. Diamondbacks –  Split Squad

Field Box: $20 per seat                               Bleacher: $10 per seat

Outfield Reserved: $15 per seat               Lawn: $6 per seat

Terrace: $15 per seat                                   Suites: $500 (Includes up to 20 people)

March 21 – Cubs vs. Dodgers – Charity Game Pricing

Field Box: $25 per seat                               Bleacher: $10 per seat

Outfield Reserved: $20 per seat               Lawn: $8 per seat

Terrace: $20 per seat                                   Suites: $1,500 (Includes up to 20 people)

Kino Sports Complex (www.kinosportscomplex.com), 2500 E. Ajo Way, is home to both the Triple-A Tucson Padres baseball team and the FC Tucson soccer club. It is the largest professional sports and entertainment venue of its kind in Pima County.  It includes the 11,000-seat Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium, seven baseball fields (four with lights), lighted softball fields, a regulation Soccer Stadium (lighted) and four additional fields for soccer, field hockey, rugby, and lacrosse. It is a natural fit for youth, high school, collegiate, and professional sports; and makes a great setting for social gatherings, concerts, and community events.

The Los Angeles Dodgers will return to Kino Stadium on March 21 to play the Chicago Cubs in a spring training game to benefit the Christina-Taylor Green Memorial Foundation.

For the third straight year, Pima County and the Pima County Sports and Tourism Authority are teaming up with the Tucson Padres and the Dodgers on a spring training game to raise funds for the Foundation.

General Manager Mike Feder also announced today that the Arizona Diamondbacks and the San Diego Padres have committed to playing a spring training game at Kino Stadium in March. Details are expected to be announced next week.

The Cubs vs. Dodgers game begins at 1:05 p.m. Tickets range from $8 to $25 and go on sale Saturday, Feb. 9, at 10 a.m. Visit www.tucsonpadres.com, call 520-434-1367 or stop by the Kino Stadium box office between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays. Tucson Padres season ticket holders, voucher plan holders and sponsors can purchase their spring training tickets a week in advance by calling 520-434-1367.

“There will not be a ticket left on the day of the game,” Feder said. “It shows we’re still alive. We need to keep Major League Baseball involved in Tucson.”

Christina-Taylor Green, 9, was among the six people killed at then-U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords’ “Congress on Your Corner” in Tucson on Jan. 8, 2011. The Green family created the Christina-Taylor Green Memorial Foundation to receive gifts in her memory and support charitable and educational projects, including an indoor sports facility at Curtis Park and computers and laptops for local schools.

“We’re proud of the things she’s been able to accomplish even when she’s not here,” said Green’s father, John, who is a scout for the Dodgers. “This is our way of giving back to the community that’s given back to us.”

Green also said the Dodgers general manager told him that as long as he is general manager, “we’ll have a game in Tucson.”

Kino Sports Complex (www.kinosportscomplex.com), 2500 E. Ajo Way, is home to both the Triple-A Tucson Padres baseball team and the FC Tucson soccer club. It is the largest professional sports and entertainment venue of its kind in Pima County.  It includes the 11,000-seat Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium, seven baseball fields (four with lights), lighted softball fields, a regulation Soccer Stadium (lighted) and four additional fields for soccer, field hockey, rugby, and lacrosse. It is a natural fit for youth, high school, collegiate, and professional sports; and makes a great setting for social gatherings, concerts, and community events.

Pima County brings the Tucson Padres’ mascot and members of the FC Tucson soccer club downtown to Tucson Meet Yourself, Friday, Oct. 12, to Sunday, Oct. 14.

Kino Sports Complex, the home of the Tucson Padres and FC Tucson, will host one of the four corners of the Pima County Activity Pavilion in front of the Joel D. Valdez Main Library, 101 N. Stone Ave.

Visitors to the Kino Sports Complex corner can participate in raffles of:

• 2 season tickets to FC Tucson Premier Development League games
• 2 season tickets to Tucson Padres games
• 2 tickets to the Casino del Sol All Star Football game – January 11, 2013
• 2 tickets to Desert Diamond Cup professional soccer games – February 2013

FC Tucson members will do a soccer demonstration on the stage in the pavilion at 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12. On Saturday, Oct. 13, members of a youth flag football league will do a demonstration at 11:30 a.m. and Kino Bambino, the Tucson Padres’ mascot, will make an appearance at 2:30 p.m.

Three other efforts to enhance the quality of life in Pima County will be featured at the Pima County Activity Pavilion. The big tent provides great shade where festival goers can meet animals to adopt from Pima Animal Care Center, learn about the 114 miles of car-free paths under development on The Loop, and discover ways to save energy and money at “Greenville,” the Sustainability Corner.

Be sure to check the festival schedule for other fun interactive displays at our stage including vintage fashion shows, contests for kids, dog training 101, and more.

Thanks to the generosity of Bicycle Inter-Community Art and Salvage (BICAS), bicycle valet service will be available next to the pavilion for a secure place to park bikes.

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, seven baseball fields (four with lights), lighted softball fields, and a regulation Soccer Stadium (lighted) available for soccer, field hockey, rugby, and lacrosse. 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 or call (520)546-KINO (5466).

For more information on this year’s festival, check out: www.tucsonmeetyourself.org.

Keep up with Pima County on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pimacountyarizona.

Don’t miss your last chance to watch the Triple-A Tucson Padres play in Tucson this season.  Head to Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium, 2500 E. Ajo Way, any night through Sunday, Aug. 28, to watch the Padres play the Reno Aces.

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.

Thanks to Joseph Ryan and The Explorer for this letter to the editor in the Aug. 10 issue:

Kino worth the drive for true baseball fans

I am tired of hearing people in Tucson who call themselves baseball fans complain about how hard it is to get to Kino Veteran’s Memorial Stadium.

When Tucson was presented the opportunity to host spring training games, the City of Tucson Council hemmed and hawed about if and where to build a stadium. In the meantime, the Pima County Board of Supervisors made a decision and built a beautiful facility. Kino is on East Ajo Way, about two miles south of Hi Corbett Field. It is approximately five miles down Interstate 10 from the Congress Street exit, where many wanted a downtown stadium built.

Kino is accessible from Interstate 10, east or west. From the east side get on Golf Links to Alvernon. From midtown, just drive south on Alvernon a couple miles past Hi Corbett, and you are there. It is no harder to get to than any other place in Tucson, and easier than some.

Hi Corbett Field has been a wonderful venue. It holds great memories from when I was young; however, there is a reason that old ball parks are replaced with new facilities.

The Padres have given us a chance to bring baseball back to the Old Pueblo. They are playing at Kino. If our “fans” can’t be bothered driving a couple extra miles to support them, then why should they go the extra mile to stay in Tucson?

It is time to stop making excuses. Buy a ticket and come to a game. You may find a reason to come back.

Joseph Ryan, Northwest Tucson