Peoria Sports Complex

San Deigo Padres, Seattle Mariners, Spring Training

8/10

A crowd takes in the Padres and Mariners in 2010.

The grounds crew prepares for AFL action in October 2011.

The Padres and Mariners head towards a nice sunset in 2013.

Peoria was the 2nd Cactus League park I went to in 2010, watching a night game between the Mariners and Padres, with San Diego as home team. I went back in 2011 for another night game, this time with the Arizona Fall League, where an Indians prospect named Jesus Aguilar hit two homeruns that went so far, I had my head on a swivel walking to the car, just in case they hadn't come down yet. I went in 2012 for a Cactus League game where a Mariner squad of largely AA players with Kevin Milwood pitching showed the Padres that the gap between AA and the Majors isn't so big, winning handily. In 2013, I finally saw this place during the day, as the Royals and Mariners squared off.

My opinon of Peoria changed drastically from after my first visit, where I found it underwhelming, to my other three, where I loved it. I'd have to say that besides Maryvale Ballpark, Peoria is the most underrated in the Cactus League.

The park itself a relatively unassuming complex located in the Phoenix suburb of Peoria, northwest of downtown. The ballpark is accessible via Loop 101, but be ready for traffic prior to game time. Showing up overly early here isn't a bad idea, especially if you aren't familiar with the park, or the area. The main stadium is located between the Mariner and Padre training areas and is a subdued Tan, concrete park, with little in the way of an exterior façade. Food is around average at around average prices. I've been here 4 times and cannot remember one unique offering from either team. Prices are below average for the area.

The main concourse out of view of the field, but a wide walkway between the lower and upper seating sections acts as another concourse as well, although there aren't any kiosks or anything blocking it. My big plusses for Peoria are sightlines and an atmosphere that is less like a carnival and more about baseball. The Mariners and Padres organizations, to their credit, seem to think this is a plus to and recently extended their leases in Peoria until 2034, which means that fans of both the M's and the Fighting Friars have 20 more springs to look forward to. The Mariners bring several vendors and the like down from Seattle, to add to the local experience. This is a conversation from 2010:

A longtime Mariner Vendor, on the long gone Kingdome:
Fan: Do you miss the dome?
Vendor sits down.
“People ask me:do you miss the dome? I tell them: Only in April.”

Now that I've seen them all, I realize how special Peoria is. It was the first park in Arizona to house two teams well, which became a model for others to follow. It also isn't well attended compared to some of it's counterparts. It isn't going to blow you away, but my suggestion is to cut away from the herd and catch a game here, especially at night. I doubt you'll be disappointed.

Update 2016: I have now been here a total of 6 times, for four spring training games and two fall league. When I last went back for a Fall League game in 2015, the park was being renovated, the front entrance had an actual sign (really!) and the concessions that weren't open had new signage giving them Seattle and San Diego themed names. The left field corner was closed as it appeared that new suites were going in in that area. Both teams are committed here for the long term, so it's not surprising that the almost 25 year old park was up for some renos. Under the new rating system, I'd still keep an 8, giving half points for atmosphere and facility, but I will make a stop here for sure the next March I go to Phoenix, as the renovations could make this score higher.

 Linescores
2010-03-24
                        123    456   789   R H E
Seattle              000    100    000  1  4  3
San Diego         000     000   20x  2 10 1
Temp: 66F  Time: 2:34  Att: 7,173

2011-10-06
                                   123   456  789    R  H  E
Phoenix Desert Dogs     010  122  013   10  11  1
Peoria Javelinas            000   011  200    4   7   0
Temp: 65F  Time: 2:49  Att: 269

2012-03-31
                         123   456   789   R H E
San Diego           000  010   000   1 5  2
Seattle               002  002   11x   6  12  0
Temp: 90F  Time: 2:27  Att: 5,773

2013-03-26
                      123   456   789   R  H   E
Kansas City     001   060  022  11 18  0
Seattle             003  100  200    6  11  0
Temp: 81F  Time: 2:58  Att: 6,098

2014-03-26
                          123    456    789   R H E
Chicago Cubs      001   000    013   5 11 3
San Diego           012   000   200    5  6  2
Temp: 85F  Time: 3:16  Att: 5,407

2015-11-19
                                123   456   789  RHE
Surprise Saguaros      001  003   030   791
Peoria Javelinas         300  100   000   492
Temp: 74F   Time: 2:46  Att: 603