Surprise Stadium

Texas Rangers, Kansas City Royals (Spring Training)

9/10

The third base gate is used more for leaving than entering, the front door isn't much more notable.

The view from behind home plate for 2011 Fall League action.

The view from centre field shows the grandstand, press boxes and a bit of the 2nd level seating.

I first came here in 2010 for a Cactus League contest and as of 2015, have been a total of 7 times, for 6 Cactus League games and one Fall League game in 2011, which featured a young Bryce Harper.

As the name suggests, the park is in the Phoenix suburb of Surprise, about 40 minutes northwest of downtown. The Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers have been training here since 2003. 2005 saw Golden League baseball here as well, with the Surprise Fightin' Falcons lasting just the one season. It's more of an AAA style ballpark than one of the bigger stadiums built lately. It's pretty well laid out, with a ton of shade in the infield, a pretty wide concourse, that is a little dark, but nothing too wild. The two sections of upper deck seating are popular and are well shaded with a good sight line. The quirkiest plus of the park is the unique design of the roof, which has circle-shaped depressions in it to stop foul balls from rolling back down and landing on spectators. 

Concessions here are pretty good too, embracing the local tastes of the two teams. Kansas City naturally features BBQ, which in this case, meant a pulled pork sandwich. I believe that Tex-Mex also featured prominently, as do usual ballpark favourites.

Atmosphere here is subdued, rarely crowded, but always interested in the action on the field. There's no mascot or promotions as far as I can remember.

Overall, I am generally so engrossed in enjoying a game and the experience that I remember little else about it. This is among about 5 parks in the Cactus League that I would go to anytime, just a very enjoyable ballpark. A point for concession, plus a half point for the park and atmosphere gives it a 9.

Update 2026: Both the Royals and Rangers have been in Surprise for over 20 years now. There are some Facebook photos of the field itself being renovated in 2019, but I can't see anything more obvious. I have a total of 6 Cactus League and one AFL game here. I've added the scores as best I can.

Linescores

2010-03-25

                       123 456  789  RHE

Seattle            031  200 100 7

Kansas City   101  000 105  8

Time: N/A Temp: N/A Att: 4,510

2011-10-05                           R

Scottsdale Scorpions            1

Surprise Saguaros                10

2012-03-31

                         123  456  789   RHE

Arizona             101  040 400   10 

Kansas City       100 000  110   3

Time: N/A Temp: N/A Att: 5,997

2013-03-24

                       123  456 789  R H E

Cincinatti        000  000  020  2 5 0

Texas               100  200 04x  7 12 0

Time: N/A Temp: N/A Att: 7,117

2013-03-28

                       123   456  789  R H E

Arizona            000  040 401  9 11 3

Texas                100  000  101  3 7 3

Time: N/A Temp: N/A Att: 7,269

2014-03-22

                       123  456  789  R H E

Texas              000  000  130  4 9 0

Kansas City    050  020  01x  8 11 0 

Time: 2:42 Temp: N/A  Att: 9,341

2015-03-21

                     123  456  789   R H E

Milwaukee   120  003  600   12 19 0

Texas           000  010 100    2  7  0

Time:  N/A  Temp: N/A  Att: 8,027