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s you enjoy this amazing ballpark you will quickly realize why the USA Today named it the #1 Spring Training venue in Arizona; and the top fan experience in both the Cactus and Grapefruit Leagues! After a year that’s brought a lot of difficulty and uncertainty, we’re thrilled to welcome back the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers players, coaches, support staff and YOU- the fansto Surprise in a safe and responsible way! Surprise is a vibrant and growing city; yet we stay true to our foundational strengths of providing a clean, safe and friendly community. Our award-winning Surprise Recreation Campus hosts festivals, special events and a variety of leisure, arts, cultural and sports-related activities. The Surprise Tennis and Racquet Complex is one of the premier municipal tennis complexes in the country featuring 25 tennis courts, in addition to indoor racquetball and outdoor pickleball courts. Surprise is also the proud home of Ottawa University offering an exceptional educational experience and more than 20 collegiate sports programs! Go Spirit! The White Tank Mountains, on our western border, features trails ranging from easy to strenuous, and overnight camping under clear Arizona skies is a great way to enjoy the largest county-owned park in the United States. The nearby Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium is also a popular year-round destination. Of course all of this activity will work up your appetite! Good news, as we have some amazing restaurants in town! From burgers and craft beer; to wine and signature cuisine, you’ll find the perfect taste in Surprise! Our exceptional community amenities, retail and entertainment options, beautiful weather and Southwestern lifestyle, are why we love Surprise and know you will too! Be sure to Find Your Surprise at www.exploresurprise.com!
MAYOR SKIP HALL
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@t_kevin_reno
FIND Y URSELF 4
Here!
AZStateParks.com/spring-training
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LYMAN LAKE STATE PARK
PLAY BALL! OUTSIDE! and hike, fish, boat and camp!
Councilmember
Councilmember
ROLAND F. WINTERS JR.
ALY CLINE
District 1
District 2
Councilmember
CHRIS JUDD
Councilmember
District 6
KEN REMLEY District 4
Councilmember
JACK HASTINGS District 5
Vice Mayor
PATRICK DUFFY District 3
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City of Surprise Staff Directory Surprise City Council
Table of Contents Message from the Mayor............................................. 3
Skip Hall ............................................................ Mayor Roland F. Winters Jr. ..................................... District 1 Aly Cline ...................................................... District 2 Patrick Duffy ................................ Vice Mayor/District 3 Ken Remley ................................................... District 4 Jack Hastings................................................. District 5 Chris Judd ..................................................... District 6
Surprise City Council .................................................. 5
City Manager’s Office
Surprise Stadium Concourse Map............................ 13
Cactus League Welcome Message............................. 7 Cactus League Stadium Map ..................................... 8 Spring Training Schedule ......................................... 10 Surprise Stadium Seating Map ..................................11 Stadium Rules of Conduct......................................... 12
Michael Frazier........................................ City Manager Terry Young ............................. Assistant City Manager Diane Arthur ......... Deputy City Manager / Marketing & Communications Director Mike Gent .......Deputy City Manager / Water Resource Management Director
Rangers Manager Profile.......................................... 14
Sports & Tourism
Royals Owner Profile................................................. 32
Kendra Pettis ................................................... Director Joe Bertoletti .................................... Assistant Director Tara Combs ............ Business Administrative Manager Guillermo Lucero ............................................ Manager Eric Roberts ......Maintenance & Operations Supervisor Travis Ashby ................................................... Manager Cecilia A. Covarrubio ................................... Supervisor Michael Sawyer .....................Sponsorship Coordinator
Rangers Player Profile.............................................. 18 Rangers 40-Man Roster ........................................... 22 Globe Life Field......................................................... 26 Rangers Fall League Schedule................................. 28 Rangers Regular Season Schedule ......................... 29 Royals Manager Profile............................................. 34 Royals Reload for Return to Glory ........................... 36 Royals Player Profile ................................................ 40 Royals Season Schedule.......................................... 43 Royals 40-Man Roster .............................................. 44 Surprise Stadium 2021 A-Z Guide............................. 48
Surprise Sundancer Board
Jim Triggs ...................................................... President Tom O’Neil ............................................. Vice President Diana Teter .................................................... Treasurer Randy Jackson .............................................. Secretary Todd Hornback................................................. Director Herman Orcutt ................................................. Director Tucker Smith ................................................... Director Bill Pupo .......................................................... Director Jay Hicks ..........................................................Director Jon Bohm .........................................................Director Bill Adams ........................................................Director
Produced and published in conjunction with ROX Media Group 442 W. Kortsen Rd., Ste. 101 Casa Grande, AZ 85122 p. 520.426.2074 | roxmediagroup.net
Publisher & CEO Elaine Earle
General Manager & Managing Editor
Parks & Recreation Department
Bea Lueck
Donna Miller .....................................................Director Paul Frie ........................................... Assistant Director
Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
Wayne Turner ................................................Chairman Ron Jensen ...........................................Vice Chairman Mark Brown ..................................................... Member Raymond Grim ................................................ Member Bill Pupo .......................................................... Member Charlie Woodland ............................................ Member
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Creative Director Tim Clarke
Lead Graphic Designer Shannon Price Every effort is made to make this publication as accurate as possible. ROX Media, LLC and affiliated company / companies (collectively, the “Publishers”) will assume no responsibility for errors, changes or omissions. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in any way without the express written permission of the Publishers. The Publishers make no endorsement, representation or warranty regarding any goods or services advertised in this publication. Unless otherwise noted, all images are courtesy of the city of Surprise. Advertisements are provided by the subject companies and the Publishers shall not be responsible or liable for any inaccuracy, omission or infringement of any third party’s rights therein, or for personal injury or any other damage or injury whatsoever. Copyright 2021. All rights reserved.
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CactusLeague.com The Cactus League
TheCactus Cactus League League The Welcomes You! The Cactus League
Welcomes You! Welcomes You!You! OO Welcomes
On behalf of the Cactus League, welcome to officials so that all facilities have the most up-tograteful to MLB for its partnership and unified in our commitment n behalf of the Cactus League, welcome to the 2021 spring the 2021 spring information and best practices. We are grateful todate provide a safe, secure environment. training season.training season. press time, about possible fan attendance hadin yet our to Forfans, many fans, baseball’s return symbolizes renewal For many baseball’s return symbolizes toAtMLB for details its partnership and unified be determined. We salute the efforts of hostsecure municipalities to spring. 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We salute efforts of As always, webe are grateful to the Sports andthe Tourism inthe thetraining Cactus League, leaving snowy climes to watching Statenand 2020 spring training season. budget. The tourism-centric vibe toArizona every Cactus League grateful to aMLB for itsextends partnership and unified in our commitment behalf of the Cactus League, welcome toenjoy the 2021 spring to provide safe, secure environment. season. for its strong support ofpossible Cactus League facility theirseasons, teams train inLeague the Arizona sunshine. 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Inspring. these times, rituals of our journey in the Cactus League, leaving snowy ballparks be ready to host spring training, At press time, details about possible fan attendance had no yet to For many fans, baseball’s return symbolizes renewal facilities setTh the standardgroups in a competitive industry. major boost for Arizona’s tourism economy, according to studies by and their teams fans. e booster contribute story: Arizona’s 15 League clubs drew a total of 1,737,975 that Cactus League ballparks will ready host spring National Pastime are comforting to the sport’s legions followers. beensure determined. salute thecollectively efforts ofbe the hosttoinmunicipalities to every spring. InCactus these challenging the familiar rituals ofteam’s our climes to enjoy watching their teams inofthe matter the outcome. Finally, I what saluteWe Play Ball Magazine, a valued partner preserving Arizona State University. times, They proudly sporttrain their favorite volunteer hours to helpthe yououtcome. enjoy your day at the fans last season, seventh time many in eight years training, no matter what In the normal those that fans overall begin their annual nearly journey90,000 ensure that Cactus League ballparks will ready to Sports host spring National Pastime areseasons, comforting tooffor the sport’s legions of followers. Arizona sunshine. In about 6most in 10theCactus Astradition always, we are grateful thebeArizona the of spring training. Play Ballto Magazine is the go-to caps and jerseys – nofact, need jackets of time – and can be a moment and say hello, meansand theTourism attendance has surpassed 1.7 million. 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Butare it’sfacility also an industry, and wishSports to thank League is Cactus a signifi cant infor Arizona. How cant? A look. aSpring training construction and renovation, ensuring thatI Arizona’s spring training Cactus League fans driver typically come from out of tourism state, providing Play Ball! ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, will have asignifi much different Authority forthe itsstandard strong support of Cactus League facility theireconomy, teams train infor theArizona’s Arizona sunshine. InArizona fact, about 6toinstudies 10 by Governor Doug Ducey for his strong support and the Arizona according to League’s studies by State ensuring that Arizona’s spring training facilities set recent Arizona State University study estimated that Cactus facilities set in a competitive industry. major boost tourism economy, according Leaders of the Cactus eight hosta single municipalities and Arizona the Salt and renovation, ensuring that training Cactus League fans typically come out of state, providing aSports Tourism Authority foraproviding leadership andArizona’s the League season generated $644 million infrom economic impact. Th aformed t’s a team’s Finally, I salute Play Ball Magazine, a valued partner in spring preserving Arizona State University. They proudly sport their favorite River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community last fall ateam’s task forceandconstruction University. They proudly sport their favorite the standard in competitive industry. facilities set the standard in a competitive industry. boost for Arizona’s tourism economy, according to studies by funding to ensure that our facilities remain state-of-the-art. lotmajor of peanuts and Cracker Jack! to ensure that our 10 facilities are prepared to host spring training the tradition of spring training. Play Ball Magazine is the go-to caps and jerseys – no need for jackets most of the time – and can be caps and jerseys – no need for jackets most of the Finally, I salute Play Ball Magazine, a valued partner a manner that is safe for all involved. The task force has worked If this is seen fiinUniversity. rst visittotorestaurants, the Cactus League, you’ll soon source for all thingsPlay Cactus and a acorporate partner that bars and hotels across the Valley. I salute BallLeague Magazine, valued partner in preserving Arizona Stateflocking They proudly sport favorite team’s timeyour – and can be seen flocking totheir restaurants, bars inFinally, preserving the tradition of spring training. Play Chris Calcaterra closely with state, and municipal so Thank for your support of the Cactus League. provides a voice for spring training in Arizona. understand visitors and residents alike consider itofficials a baseball This Cactus League season, played against the backdrop offacilities the tradition of spring training. Play Ball Magazine is the go-to caps andwhy jerseys – no need forcounty jackets most of the time – that andall can be youthe andongoing hotels across the Valley. Ball Magazine is the go-to source for all things League President haveCOVID-19 the most up-to-date information and best practices. WePlay are Ball! Cactus Play Ball! pandemic, will have a much different look. fan’s paradise. With all 10 ballparks within an hour’s drive of each source for all things Cactus League and a corporate partner that seen flocking to restaurants, bars and hotels across the Valley. Thiscan Cactus League season, against theand the Salt provides Cactusa voice League and a corporate partner that provides Leaders oftheir the Cactus League’s host the municipalities other,This fans catch favorite teams ineight aplayed variety of venues for spring training in Arizona. Cactus League season, played against backdrop of the backdrop of the ongoing COVID-19 aPlay voice for spring training in Arizona. River Indian Community lastpandemic, fallafter formed a will task force and check out thePima-Maricopa league’s unique ballparks. And before and Ball! ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, will have a much different look. to Valley ensure our areLeaders prepared to training the game, the ofthat the Sun10offfacilities erslook. a myriad of recreation EXECUTIVE BOARDPlay MEMBERS have much different ofhost thespring Cactus Ball! Leaders ofathe Cactus League’s eight host municipalities and the Salt in –a from manner that is safe for The task force has worked opportunities championship golfall toinvolved. breathtaking urban hiking Jeff Meyer League’s eight host municipalities and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community last fall formed a task force Cactus League President Chris Calcaterra closely with state, county and municipal officials so that all facilities and biking trails. River Pima-Maricopa Community lasttraining fall to ensure that our 10 up-to-date facilities Indian are prepared to host Cactus League President have the most information and best spring practices. We are a task force toinvolved. ensure The thattask ourforce 10 has facilities in aformed manner that is safe for all worked arewith prepared to host training manner Chris Calcaterra closely state, county andspring municipal officialsin so athat all facilities Chris Calcaterra is safe for all involved. taskpractices. force has Cactus League President havethat the most up-to-date informationThe and best We are EXECUTIVE BOARDCactus MEMBERSLeague President worked closely BRIDGET with state, county and municipal BINSBACHER CHRIS CALCATERRA BRUCE KESSMAN KENDRA PETTIS PAUL BUSER DAVID DUNNE
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Executive Director
President, City of Peoria
Vice President of Vice President of Communications, Affairs, EXECUTIVE BOARDBusiness MEMBERS EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS City of Goodyear City of Surprise
Vice President of Government Affairs, Mesa Hohokams
Vice President of Associate Membership, Salt River Fields
6 | Play Ball Magazine
BRIDGET BINSBACHER CHRIS CALCATERRA BRUCE KESSMAN Executive Director President, City of Vice President of Peoria Communications, City ENGLERT of Goodyear BRIDGET BINSBACHER JEFF MEYER CHRIS CALCATERRA BLAKE Executive DirectorBRIDGET President VP of Business Affairs BRUCE VP of Marketing BINSBACHER CHRIS CALCATERRA KESSMAN& Scottsdale Charros President, City of Peoria Promotions Executive Director City of Vice President of City of Peoria 6 | Play Ball Magazine Peoria Communications,
City of Goodyear
KENDRA PETTIS PAUL BUSER DAVID DUNNE Vice President of Vice President of Vice President Business Affairs, Government Affairs, of Associate of Surprise Mesa Hohokams Membership, BILLCityPUPO PAUL BUSER DAVID DUNNE Salt FieldsDUNNE VP of Communications VP PAUL of Government VPRiver Associate KENDRA PETTIS BUSER DAVID Surprise Sundancers Vice President of Affairs Vice President of Membership Vice President Hohokams Affairs,Salt River Fields Business Affairs, Mesa Government of Associate
City of Surprise
Mesa Hohokams
Membership, Salt River Fields
6 | Play Ball Magazine
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CACTUS LEAGUE STADIUM MAP
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RULES OF CONDUCT
In order to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for our guest, the following will be enforced: • Smoking is NOT allowed inside any area of the stadium (Surprise City Code)9.29.040, 9.20.050. • Firearms or deadly weapons are prohibited (A.R.S 133102 (A)(10). • Resale of any tickets within 200 feet of any public entrance is prohibited( A.R.S. 13-3718). • Animals are not permitted with the exception of service animals or service animals in training. • No one is allowed on the field of play without proper credentials; such action will result in automatic ejection and possible arrest. • All strollers and diaper bags must be accompanied by a child. • All persons and items entering into the stadium are subject to search and inspection.
FOOD & BEVERAGE POLICY
Surprise Stadium allows food to be brought into the stadium. The food must be presented in a one-gallon clear ziploc/freezer bag. One clear, sealed one (1) liter plastic water bottle or empty plastic water/sports bottles will be allowed, as will single serving juice boxes, baby food and formula. No beverages, other than water or boxed juices will be allowed (Food and Beverage policy may vary by event). The following items are prohibited from being brought into the stadium: • Surprise Stadium has instituted a No Bags Policy, with the limited exception of medical bags and manufactured diaper bags for fans accompanying young children, as well as a personal clutch (5 in. x 8 in.) that may be visually inspected. Guests who arrive at the venue with these items will be asked to return them to their car. • No coolers, ice chests, thermoses, glass or metal containers. • No lawn or legged chairs. • No alcoholic beverages. • All items being brought into the stadium must be able to fit under a standard stadium seat, and are subject to search and inspection.
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WELCOME TO SURPRISE & ENJOY THE GAME! SU R PR ISE S TA D I U M .COM
SURPRISE STADIUM
FOOD & RETAIL Huss Brewing & Miller Lite Bikes
Surprise Sausage Co.
l Team Store
Domestic & Craft Beer
Home & Away
Hot Dogs & Brats
Hot Dogs, Soda, Beer & More!
Boulevard Brewing
Craft Beer & Cocktails
Huss Brewing Company Craft Beer & Cocktails
Bravo Tango
Kettle Corn
Desert Snowie
Snow Cones
Sweeties
Premium Ice Cream
The Links Neighborhood Grill BBQ Ribs, Chicken, & Pork
Home Run Grill
Burgers, Hot Dogs, Chicken
Craft Central & Cocktails Craft Beer & Cocktails
Royals Team Store Eat Drink Taco
Harty Mexican Options
Surprise Stadium Concourse Map Surprise Sausage Co.
Sausage & Brats
Boston Beer Bar
Huss Brewing Container Bar Craft Beer & Cocktails
Barlow’s Concessions
Chicken Tenders, Funnel Cakes & Lemonade
Rangers Team Store
Diamond Grill Specialty Dogs
Craft Beer & Cocktails
Specialty Hot Dogs with a Regional Twist
Legends Deck Home & Away
Home & Away
Hot Dogs, Soda, Beer & More!
Hot Dogs, Soda, Beer & More!
Visitors’ Dugout Team Store
DINING/RETAIL
DESCRIPTION
DINING/RETAIL
DESCRIPTION
BARLOW’S CONCESSIONS
CHICKEN TENDERS, FUNNEL CAKES & LEMONADE
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ROYALS TEAM STORE
OFFICIAL ROYALS GEAR
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BOULEVARD BREWING
CRAFT BEER & COCKTAILS
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THE LINKS NEIGHBORHOOD GRILL
BBQ RIBS, CHICKEN & PORK
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BRAVO TANGO
KETTLE CORN
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OFFICIAL TEAM STORE
OFFICIAL RANGERS, ROYALS, MLB GEAR
CF
CRAFT CENTRAL & COCKTAILS
CRAFT BEER & COCKTAILS
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DIAMOND GRILL SPECIALTY DOGS
SPECIALTY HOT DOGS WITH A REGIONAL TWIST
DESERT SNOWIE
SNOW CONES
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SURPRISE SAUSAGE CO.
SAUSAGES & BRATS
EAT. DRINK. TACO
HEARTY MEXICAN OPTIONS
HOME & AWAY
HOT DOGS, SODA, BEER & MORE!
HOME RUN GRILL
BURGERS, HOT DOGS, CHICKEN
HUSS BREWING
CRAFT BEER & COCKTAILS
LOCATION
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103, 104, CF
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118, 124, LF
LOCATION
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107, RF
SWEETIES
PREMIUM ICE CREAM
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RANGERS TEAM STORE
OFFICIAL RANGERS GEAR
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VISITORS’ DUGOUT TEAM STORE
OFFICIAL SPRING TRAINING GEAR
BOSTON BEER BAR
CRAFT BEER & COCKTAILS
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HOME PLATE
UPPER CONCOURSE
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Manager Profile
TEXAS RANGERS
Chris Woodward Chris Woodward enters his third season as Texas Rangers manager in 2021. He was appointed the 19th full-time manager in Texas Rangers history on November 3, 2018. In his first season at the helm, the Rangers improved from 67 wins the previous year to 78 victories in 2019. It matched the third largest increase in the Major Leagues. The 78 victories were also the second most of any first year Texas manager since 1995. The Rangers were 22-38 in the pandemic-shortened 2020
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season but finished 16-14 at Globe Life Field. Woodward recorded his 100th career win as the club’s manager in the season finale on September 27 against Houston. Before joining the Rangers, Woodward spent three seasons as third base and infield coach on Dave Roberts’ staff with the Los Angeles Dodgers. In that span, the Dodgers compiled a .589 (287-200) regular season winning percentage while capturing the N.L. West Division title all three seasons, advancing to the World Series in 2017 and 2018. Prior to his Dodgers’ stint, Woodward was the first base and infield coach for the Seattle Mariners in 2014-15. He began his coaching career as Seattle’s minor league infield coordinator in 2013 and was promoted to the Major League staff late in that season. He started 2014 as Seattle’s infield coach before assuming first base coaching duties early in the season. Woodward managed New Zealand in the 2017 World Baseball Classic qualification tournament in Australia in 2016 with a 1-2 record. He was a coach for the New Zealand squad in the 2013 WBC qualification. The former infielder spent all or parts of 12 seasons in the Majors with Toronto (19992004; 2011); New York Mets (2005-06); Atlanta (2007); Seattle (2009-10), and Boston (2009), hitting .239 with 33 homers and 191 RBI in 659 games. He played every position except pitcher and catcher in his MLB career.
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Woodward made his Major League debut with the Jays on June 7, 1999 at New YorkNL in Shea Stadium, posting a sac fly in his first plate appearance and an RBI single off Orel Hershiser in his first at-bat. He spent much of the 2002-04 seasons as Toronto’s starting shortstop, including Opening Day starts in 2003 and 2004 and hit a career-high three home runs on August 7, 2002 vs. Seattle, the lone multi-homer game of his career, becoming the 15th shortstop in MLB history to hit 3 HR in a game. The right-handed batter hit .276 with 13 homers and 45 RBI with the Blue Jays in 2002 and .261 in a career-best 104 games the following season. He split time between the majors and minors from 2009-11 and concluded his pro career with Triple-A Las Vegas in the Toronto organization in 2012. Woodward was selected by Toronto in
the 54th round of the 1994 MLB Draft and signed by Blue Jays scout Bill Moore. He starred in baseball at Northview High School in Covina, CA, where he also played football, and earned All-League, All-Valley, second team All-CIF and team MVP honors in baseball. Woodward then attended Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, CA, where he was named all-conference. The Covina, California native hails from same hometown as Texas Rangers Baseball Hall of Famer Michael Young. The pair knew each other and lived in close proximity at one point during childhood. Woodwared now lives in Chandler, AZ with his wife Erin and three children: daughter Sophie and sons Mason and Grady. Woodward earned a Bachelor’s Degree in business management from the University of Phoenix in 2012.
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Rediscover road trips
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Explore responsibly to preserve Arizona’s natural landscapes.
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MAHALO AND THE MAJORS Isiah Kiner-Falefa excels as the Texas Rangers 2020 Player of the Year By T.R. Sullivan
S
andy Beach is located on the south shore of Oahu between Hanauma Bay and Makapu’u Point. The bodyboarding and bodysurfing opportunities are considered excellent because the waves break close to the shore. The water also can be dangerous during the high surf and more injuries occur there than any other beach in Hawaii. That’s why they call it “break-neck” beach. President Barack Obama went swimming there and there was talk of naming it after him. Rangers infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa says Sandy is his favorite beach in Hawaii. “I don’t go there when the waves are high, you don’t have to worry about that,” Kiner-Falefa said. Kiner-Falefa, like any native Hawaiian, does have a love for the water. He grew up in the
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Kapahulu neighborhood of Honolulu, within walking distance past the Rainbow Drive Inn and Bailey’s Antique’s and Aloha Shirts from world-famous Waikiki Beach Body surfing and body boarding are among his favorite island pursuits but the actual sport of surfing? “That’s bad for the knees so that’s going to have to wait,” Kiner-Falefa said. One might think that being pile-driven into the ocean floor while body surfing might be bad for more than just the knees, but Kiner-Falefa’s mother Kimberly helped him get over any aquatic fears he might have when he was in high school. “There was one day after school we went to the beach and I was always kind of scared to go deep and she taught me to face my fears,”
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Kiner-Falefa said. “We went swimming about 100 yards out and the water was about 15-20 feet deep. I was kind of scared and I saw a huge turtle.” Any good Hawaiian knows when there are sea turtles hanging around, sharks are sure to follow. Kiner-Falefa was ready to go back to shore but his mother kept swimming farther and farther out. Her son was not about to turn back if his mother was willing to swim with the sharks. “It was cool, when we swam back in,” Kiner-Falefa said. “I think later that night I was hanging out with one of my friends and he said, ‘Did you hear about that tiger shark sighting?’ I guess there was a tiger shark out there but the way she attacked and the way she went after it, was what she preached my whole life: face your fears and be disciplined and be respectful and be who you are.” That’s what it means to be from Hawaii. Kiner-Falefa said the one defining trait with all athletes in the islands is grit. “Being from Hawaii, we always feel like we are overlooked,” Kiner-Falefa said. “There are crazy sports like surfing, body surfing that people don’t like to do. Just being from the island and wanting to do things that are out of the box, really gives me the sense of wanting to get better, having the great attitude and wanting to be the best.” Hawaii is Kiner-Falefa’s home and that’s where he wanted to be when baseball was shut down because of the COVID19 pandemic in March 2020. He had been enjoying a terrific Spring Training, hitting ,378 with a club-leading four home runs and 11 RBI.
All signs pointed to Kiner-Falefa making the Opening Day roster as a reward for the work he had put in over the winter when he needed to get stronger and generate more power in his swing. “People forgot who I was, who I am,” Kiner-Falefa said. “I was fighting for my life to keep my job. The window was closing, and I had to open it up.” The window was re-opened in Spring Training. Then came the shutdown and the danger of all that hard work going to waste. “It was frustrating…I put a lot of work into changing my stance and changing my swing in the off-season,” Kiner-Falefa said. “I had to wait to show it. It was tough putting in four months of extreme hard work and not being able to show it. “But I looked at (Spring Training) as a Winter Ball setting. I got to see the results and see the swing was there. I just had to maintain it.” Going back to Hawaii helped. He had not spent a summer at home since being drafted by the Rangers in 2013. He had not experienced the “south swells” in eight years. The south swells come between May and October, generated by storms in the South Pacific, and make the south side of Oahu – including Honolulu and Diamond Head – the best places to go surfing during that time of the year. “I went to Diamond Head and the swell was amazing,” Kiner-Falefa said. “I haven’t seen swells like that forever.” Kiner-Falefa worked out during the shutdown. He took batting practice, first in his backyard and then the local park, and he worked out in the gym.
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Isiah and his father, Fili Falefa pose together in Hawaii
He also went to the beach. “I haven’t had the opportunity to be at home in eight summers,” Kiner-Falefa said. “Just to remember where I’m from is a good experience. I was little on edge just because my spring was going so well. Being able to go to the beach and wind down helped me stay ready.” Kiner-Falefa’s time in Hawaii obviously worked. He continued his strong spring training performance in the three-week Summer Camp when the MLB season resumed in July and emerged as the Rangers’ regular third baseman. Kiner-Falefa went on to earn the Rangers 2020 Player of the Year Award, batting a team best .280 in 58 games. He ranked among the American League leaders in singles (T2nd, 49), triples (T2nd, 3), and stolen bases (T7th, 8) while also leading the club in runs (28), hits (59), multi-hit games (16), and total bases (78). Kiner-Falefa also posted the A.L.’s sixth-highest average versus left-handers (.373). He was Texas’ most consistent hitter and produced a career-best 14-game hitting streak from August 28-September 11. 20
But that was only part of the story. Despite entering 2020 with just 71 career MLB games at third base, Kiner-Falefa’s defense at the hot corner earned him the A.L. Rawlings Gold Glove Award. He became just the third Ranger to earn Gold Glove honors at third base, joining Buddy Bell (6 times) and Adrian Beltre (3 times). That’s pretty good defensive company. Kiner-Falefa made 57 total starts at third base (42) and shortstop (15) in 2020, combining for an overall .969 (5 E/159 TC) fielding percentage. According to Baseball Info Solutions (BIS), he finished with the 3rd-best total runs saved figure in MLB, trailing only Colorado third baseman Nolan Arenado (15) and teammate and fellow Gold Glover Gallo (12). His eight defensive runs saved (DRS) at third base ranked second to only Arenado (15) by the BIS calculations. In 2021, Kiner-Falefa takes on a new challenge as the Rangers’ starting shortstop. He is excited for that opportunity. “For me, [moving to shortstop] is a dream come true,” he said. “I’ve only been a shortstop my whole career, so when I got to the Minor Leagues and started bouncing around, it was tough for me. I was learning a different game, a game that wasn’t mine. Everything I’ve done to this point has been for someone else. “I think the fact that this year I’m getting to play my position, do my thing, I think it’s only going to benefit the team and I’m really, really excited to show people what I can do. Third base was really fun, but now I’ve got a little more range, a little more room to play with so I can’t wait for that opportunity and try to go back-to-back [Gold Glove Awards].” After an off-season working out in Hawaii, Kiner-Falefa is more than ready.
SU R PR ISE S TA D I U M .COM
SU R PR ISE S TA D I U M .COM
21
2021 Texas Roster as of February 11, 2020 NO.
PITCHERS (23)
B-T
HT
WT
BIRTHPLACE
RESIDENCE
2020 CLUB
75
Alexy, A.J.
R-R
6-4
200
DOB 04/21/98
Honey Brook, PA
Honey Brook, PA
Texas
39
Allard, Kolby
L-L
6-1
200
08/13/97
Anaheim, CA
San Clemente, CA
Texas
35
Arihara, Kohei
R-R
6-2
210
08/11/92
Hiroshima, Japan
Hiroshima, Japan
Hokkaido
63
Benjamin, Wes
R-L
6-2
210
07/26/93
Winfield, IL
St. Charles, IL
Texas
46
Burke, Brock
L-L
6-4
205
08/04/96
Chicago, IL
Denver, CO
Texas
54
Cody, Kyle
R-R
6-7
230
08/09/94
Chippewa Falls, WI
Surprise, AZ
Texas
56
de Geus, Brett
R-R
6-2
190
11/04/97
Pleasanton, CA
Pleasanton, CA
Los Angeles-NL
33
Dunning, Dane
R-R
6-4
225
12/20/94
Orange Park, FL
Fleming Island, FL
Chicago-AL
67
Evans, Demarcus
R-R
6-5
270
10/22/96
Petal, MS
Fort Worth, TX
Texas
20
Foltynewicz, Mike
R-R
6-4
195
10/07/91
Sterling, IL
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta
65
Gatto, Joe
R-R
6-3
220
06/14/95
Voorhees, NJ
Hammonton, NJ
Los Angeles-AL
44
Gibson, Kyle
R-R
6-6
205
10/23/87
Greenfield, IN
Villa Ridge, MO
Texas
52
Hearn, Taylor
L-L
6-6
235
08/30/94
Royse City, TX
Dallas, TX
Texas
72
Hernández, Jonathan
R-R
6-3
195
07/06/96
Memphis, TN
Staten Island, NY
Texas
60
King, John
L-L
6-2
215
09/14/94
Missouri City, TX
Missouri City, TX
Texas
25
Leclerc, José
R-R
6-0
195
12/19/93
Esperanza, DR
Santiago, DR
Texas
24
Lyles, Jordan
R-R
6-5
235
10/19/90
Hartsville, SC
Southlake, TX
Texas
59
Martin, Brett
L-L
6-4
210
04/28/95
Morristown, TN
Morristown, TN
Texas
62
Palumbo, Joe
L-L
6-0
190
10/26/94
Stony Brook, NY
Holbrook, NY
Texas
80
Phillips, Tyler
R-R
6-5
240
10/27/97
Lumberton, NJ
Fort Worth, TX
Texas
57
Rodríguez, Joely
L-L
6-1
220
11/14/91
Santo Domingo, DR
Bernville, PA
Texas
78
Rodriguez, Yerry
R-R
6-2
210
10/15/97
Santiago, DR
Santiago, DR
Texas
66
Sborz, Josh
R-R
6-3
215
12/17/93
Washington, DC
Orlando, FL
Los Angeles-NL
NO. 79
CATCHERS (4) Garcia, David
B-T S-R
HT 5-11
WT 200
DOB 02/06/00
BIRTHPLACE Caracas, VZ
RESIDENCE Valencia, VZ
2020 CLUB Texas
64
Heim, Jonah
S-R
6-4
220
06/27/95
Buffalo, NY
Amherst, NY
Oakland
55
Huff, Sam
R-R
6-5
245
01/14/98
Phoenix, AZ
Fort Worth, TX
Texas
23
Trevino, Jose
R-R
5-11
215
11/28/92
Corpus Christi, TX
Frisco, TX
Texas
NO. 82
INFIELDERS (7) Apostel, Sherten
BT RR
HT 6-4
WT 240
DOB 03/11/99
BIRTHPLACE Willemstad, Curacao
RESIDENCE Willemstad, Curacao
2020 CLUB Texas
11
Guzmán, Ronald
LL
6-5
240
10/10/94
La Vega, DR
La Vega, DR
Texas
9
Kiner-Falefa, Isiah
RR
5-11
190
03/23/95
Honolulu, HI
Honolulu, HI
Texas
30
Lowe, Nate
LR
6-4
220
07/07/95
Norfolk, VA
Clermont, FL
Tampa Bay
12
Odor, Rougned
LR
5-11
205
02/03/94
Maracaibo, VZ
Frisco, TX
Texas
15
Solak, Nick
RR
5-11
185
01/11/95
Woodridge, IL
Jersey Village, TX
Texas
71
Tejeda, Anderson
SR
6-0
200
05/01/98
Bani, DR
Bani, DR
Texas
NO.
OUTFIELDERS (6)
B-T
HT
WT
DOB
BIRTHPLACE
RESIDENCE
2020 CLUB
5
Calhoun, Willie
LR
5-8
200
11/04/94
Vallejo, CA
Benicia, CA
Texas
21
Dahl, David
LR
6-2
200
04/01/94
Birmingham, AL
Scottsdale, AZ
Colorado
4
Davis, Khris
RR
5-11
205
12/21/87
Lakewood, CA
Paradise Valley, AZ
Oakland
13
Gallo, Joey
LR
6-5
255
11/19/93
Henderson, NV
Dallas, TX
Texas
3
Taveras, Leody
SR
6-2
195
09/08/98
Tenares, DR
Tenares, DR
Texas
41
White, Eli
RR
6-3
195
06/26/94
Greenville, SC
Piedmont, SC
Texas
40-Man Roster Manager: Chris Woodward (8) Coaches: Tony Beasley (27), Callix Crabbe (99), Doug Mathis (64), Héctor Ortiz (4), Luis Ortiz (18), Corey Ragsdale (43), Julio Rangel (47), Don Wakamatsu (22) CLASS
W-L
ERA
MiLB
DID NOT PITCH
0.000
MLB
0-6
7.75
NPB
8-9
3.46
MLB
2-1
4.84
MLB
DID NOT PITCH – INJURED
1.041
G
GS
CG
SV
IP
H
R
11
8
0
20
20
3
8
1
8
ER
BB-I
SO
MLS
0
33.2
31
0
132.2125
56
29
29
51
30-0
20-0
32
1.114
106
0.000
0
0
22.1
24
12
12
7-0
21
0.133
5
0
0
22.2
15
5
4
13-0
18
0.108
MLB
1-1
1.59
MiLB
ALTERNATE TRAINING SITE
0.000
MLB
2-0
3.97
7
7
0
0
34.0
25
17
15
13-0
35
0.083
MLB
0-0
2.25
4
0
0
0
4.0
3
1
1
0-0
4
0.036
MLB
0-1
16.20
1
1
0
0
3.1
4
6
6
4-0
3
4.156
MiLB
DID NOT PITCH
0.000
MLB
2-6
5.35
12
12
1
0
67.1
73
44
40
30-1
58
7.039
MLB
0-0
3.63
14
0
0
0
17.1
13
8
7
11-0
23
1.140
MLB
5-1
2.90
27
0
0
0
31.0
24
10
10
8-0
31
1.041
MLB
1-0
6.10
6
0
0
0
10.1
13
8
7
4-0
9
0.067
MLB
0-0
4.50
2
0
0
1
2.0
2
1
1
2-0
3
4.041
MLB
1-6
7.02
12
9
0
0
57.2
67
49
45
23-0
36
9.002
MLB
1-1
1.84
15
0
0
0
14.2
8
5
3
9-0
8
1.151
MLB
0-1
11.57
2
0
0
0
2.1
3
3
3
3-0
5
1.130
MLB
ALTERNATE TRAINING SITE
0.000 12
0
0
0
12.2
8
3
3
5-0
17
1.096
4.1
2
1
1
1-0
2
0.113
3B
HR
RBI
BB-I
MLB
0-0
2.13
MiLB
DID NOT PITCH
0.000
MLB
0-0
2.08
4
0
0
0
G
AB
R
H
2B
CLASS MiLB
AVG. DID NOT PLAY
MLB
.211
MLB
.355
MLB
.250
CLASS MLB
AVG. .100
MLB
.244
MLB
.280
MLB
.224
MLB
.167
MLB
.268
MLB
.253
SO
SB
MLS 0.000
13
38
5
8
0
0
0
5
3-0
3
0
0.097
10
31
5
11
3
0
3
4
2-0
11
0
0.050
24
76
10
G
AB
R
H
2B
3B
HR
RBI
BB-I
SO
SB
MLS
7
20
1
2
1
0
0
0
1-0
9
0
0.044
26
78
10
19
1
1
4
9
7-0
24
1
2.083
58
211
28
59
4
3
3
10
14-0
32
8
3.000
21
67
10
15
2
0
4
11
9-2
28
1
0.145
38
138
15
23
4
0
10
30
7-0
47
0
6.121
58
209
27
56
10
0
2
23
18-0
42
7
1.041
23
75
7
19
4
1
3
8
2-0
30
4
0.103
CLASS
AVG.
G
AB
R
H
2B
3B
HR
RBI
BB-I
SO
SB
MLS
MLB
.190
29
100
3
19
2
1
1
13
5-0
17
0
2.033
MLB
.183
24
93
9
17
2
2
0
9
4-0
28
1
3.162
MLB
.200
30
85
9
17
5
0
2
10
10-0
26
0
7.104
MLB
.181
57
193
23
35
8
0
10
26
29-2
79
2
4.103
MLB
.227
33
119
20
27
6
1
4
6
14-0
43
8
0.114
MLB
.188
19
48
5
9
2
0
0
3
3-0
16
1
0.075
2021 Texas
SPRING TRAINING NON NO.
PITCHERS-(18)
B-T
HT
WT
DOB
BIRTHPLACE
RESIDENCE
2020-CLUB
58
Anderson, Drew
R-R
6-3
205
03/22/94
Reno, NV
Reno, NV
Chicago-AL
32
Anderson, Justin
L-R
6-3
230
09/28/92
Houston, TX
Houston, TX
Los Angeles-AL
81
Bahr, Jason
R-R
6-5
210
02/15/95
Orlando, FL
Longwood, FL
Texas
51
Bush, Matt
R-R
6-0
205
02/08/86
San Diego, CA
Colleyville, TX
Texas
45
Cotton, JhareL-
R-R
5-11
200
01/19/92
St. Thomas, VI
Commerce Township, MI
Chicago-NL
92
Crouse, Hans
L-R
6-5
210
09/15/98
Dana Point, CA
Dana Point, CA
Texas
37
Gaviglio, Sam
R-R
6-1
215
05/22/90
Ashland, OR
Talent, OR
Toronto
49
Herget, Jimmy
R-R
6-3
180
09/09/93
Tampa, FL
Tampa, FL
Texas
31
Kennedy, Ian
R-R
6-0
210
12/19/84
Huntington Beach, CA
Bucyrus, KS
Kansas City
91
Latz, Jake
R-L
6-3
200
04/08/96
Lemont, IL
Boerne, TX
Sugar Land
93
Ortiz, Luis
R-R
6-3
245
09/22/95
Fresno, CA
Fresno, CA
Baltimore
90
Ozuna, Fernery
S-R
5-9
190
11/09/95
San Cristobal, DR
San Cristobal, DR
Texas
61
Patton, SpenceR-R
R
6-1
200
02/20/88
Urbana, IL
Farina, IL
Yokohama
73
Speas, Alex
R-R
6-3
225
03/04/98
Powder Springs, GA
Fort Mill, SC
Texas
40
Vincent, Nick
R-R
5-10
185
07/12/86
Poway, CA
Lakeway, TX
Miami
76
Winn, Cole
R-R
6-2
200
11/25/99
Longmont, CO
Longmont, CO
Texas
47
Wood, HunteR-R
R
6-1
175
08/12/93
Rogers, AR
Springdale, AR
Cleveland
68
Yang, Hyeon-jong
L-L
6-0
200
03/01/88
Gwangju, South Korea
Gwangju, South Korea
Kia Tigers
NO.
CATCHERS (3)
B-T
HT
WT
DOB
BIRTHPLACE
RESIDENCE
2020 CLUB
14
Butera, Drew
R-R
6-1
210
08/09/83
Evansville, IN
Orlando, FL
Colorado
6
Hicks, John
R-R
6-2
225
08/31/89
Richmond, VA
Goochland, VA
Arizona
89
Whatley, Matt
R-R
5-9
200
01/07/96
Claremore, OK
Broken Arrow, OK
Texas
NO.
INFIELDERS (8)
B-T
HT
WT
DOB
BIRTHPLACE
RESIDENCE
2020 CLUB
2
Culberson, Charlie
R-R
6-1
200
04/10/89
Rome, GA
Marrieta, GA
Atlanta
94
Foscue,Justin
R-R
6-0
210
03/02/99
Huntsville, AL
Nashville, TN
Texas
87
Hernandez, Yonny
S-R
5-8
190
05/04/98
Maturin, VZ
Palo Negro, VZ
Texas
16
Holt, Brock
L-R
5-10
195
06/11/88
Fort Worth, TX
Stephenville, TX
Milwaukee
77
Ibáñez, Andy
R-R
5-11
205
04/03/93
Havana, Cuba
Puerto Principe, Haiti
Texas
70
Jung, Josh
R-R
6-2
210
02/12/98
San Antonio, TX
Lubbock, TX
Texas
83
Terry, Curtis
R-R
6-3
260
10/06/96
Snellville, GA
Snellville, GA
Texas
86
Wendzel, Davis
R-R
6-0
205
05/23/97
Irvine, CA
Waco, TX
Texas
NO.
OUTFIELDERS (5)
B-T
HT
WT
DOB
BIRTHPLACE
RESIDENCE
2020 CLUB
00
DeShields, Delino
R-R
5-9
190
08/16/92
Easton, MD
Dallas, TX
Cleveland
53
García, Adolis
R-R
6-1
205
03/02/93
Ciego de Avila, Cuba
Ruskin, FL
Texas
50
Martin, Jason
L-R
5-9
185
09/05/95
Corona, CA
Corona, CA
Pittsburgh
84
Thompson, Bubba
R-R
6-2
200
06/09/98
Jacksonville, FL
Semmes, AL
Texas
74
Walker, Steele
L-L
5-11
210
07/30/96
Prosper, TX
Mt. Pleasant, TX
Texas
Texas
Washington
40-Man Roster
- ROSTER INVITEES (31) CLASS
W-L
ERA
G
GS
CG
SV
IP
H
R
ER
BB-I
SO
MLS
MLB
0-0
40.50
1
0
0
0
1.1
4
6
6
2-0
2
0.048
MLB
DID NOT PITCH – INJURED
2.161
MLB
ALTERNATE TRAINING SITE
0.000
MiLB
DID NOT PITCH – INJURED
2.132
MLB
ALTERNATE TRAINING SITE
2.158
MiLB
DID NOT PITCH
0.000
MLB
0-1
9.00
4
0
0
0
3.0
3
3
3
5-0
1
MLB
1-0
3.20
20
1
0
0
19.2
13
7
7
14-1
17
1.033
MLB
0-2
9.00
15
1
0
0
14.0
20
17
14
5-1
15
11.124
Ind.
2-1
4.35
6
2
0
0
10.1
4
5
5
10-0
15
0.000
MLB
ALTERNATE TRAINING SITE
MiLB
DID NOT PITCH
MiLB
DID NOT PITCH
NPB
3-2
4.92
57
1
MLB MLB
0
0
0.029 0.000
53.0
52
31
29
27-3
65
23
11
11
6-0
17
ALTERNATE TRAINING SITE 1-2
4.43
21
0
0
3
22.1
MLB
ALTERNATE TRAINING SITE
MLB
ALTERNATE TRAINING SITE
KBO
11-10
CLASS MLB
2.111
1.009 0.000 7.033 0.000 1.078
4.70
31
31
0
0
172.1
180
99
90
64-0
149
AVG.
G
AB
R
H
2B
3B
HR
RBI
BB-I
SO
SB
MLS
.154
28
39
4
6
2
0
0
4
2-0
11
0
9.067
MLB
ALTERNATE TRAINING SITE
MiLB
DID NOT PLAY
0.000
3.001 0.000
CLASS
AVG.
G
AB
R
H
2B
3B
HR
RBI
BB-I
SO
SB
MLS
MLB
.143
9
7
2
1
1
0
0
1
0-0
4
0
5.051
MLB
ALTERNATE TRAINING SITE
MLB
ALTERNATE TRAINING SITE
0.000
MLB
.100
16
30
1
3
0
0
0
1
4-0
9
0
MLB
.262
20
65
11
17
6
0
0
4
5-0
15
1
7.052
MLB
ALTERNATE TRAINING SITE
0.000
MLB
ALTERNATE TRAINING SITE
0.000
MiLB
DID NOT PLAY
0.000
MLB
ALTERNATE TRAINING SITE
0.000
CLASS
AVG.
G
AB
R
H
2B
3B
HR
RBI
BB-I
SO
SB
MLS
MLB
.252
37
107
10
27
3
2
0
7
9-0
29
3
5.109
MLB
.000
3
6
0
0
0
0
0
0
1-0
4
0
0.095
MLB
.000
7
9
2
0
0
0
0
0
2-0
4
0
0.139
MLB
ALTERNATE TRAINING SITE
0.000
MLB
ALTERNATE TRAINING SITE
0.000
Texas Minor League Affiliates: Round Rock Express (AAA), Frisco RoughRiders (AA), Hickory Crawdads (High-A), Down East Wood Ducks (Low-A), AZL Rangers (Rookie), DSL Rangers (Rookie)
GLOBE LIFE FIELD IN 2020
T
he opening of Globe Life Field in March 2020 was a widely anticipated event for Texas Rangers fans everywhere. Groundbreaking took place on September 28, 2017 and over the next 30 months, the progress on construction intensified the excitement. Globe Life Field, a public-private partnership between the City of Arlington and the Texas Rangers, is not only the team’s new home but also a multipurpose sports and entertainment venue that includes capabilities for hosting numerous local, regional, and national events. It is highlighted by a 5.5-acre one-piece retractable roof that provides climate control, shelter for fans during the hot summer months, and year-round utilization. On March 11, the Rangers held a pre-opening media event and open house for season ticket holders and City of Arlington resident. The reviews for the new ballpark were spectacular. That night, the National Basketball Association paused its season due to positive COVID-19 cases among several players. Sports and entertain-
26
ment events throughout the United States were halted due to the rapidly growing effects of that horrible virus that would eventually result in the loss of nearly a half million lives in this country through February. Three days later, spring training came to an end in Surprise. Plans for the opening of Globe Life Field were altered. The March 14 premiere event, a concert featuring award-winning singer Chris Stapleton was canceled. The start of the Major League Baseball season, which was to have included the first regular season game at Globe Life Field on March 31, was suspended. When MLB finally returned to play with a 60-game season in late July, no fans were present throughout the regular season. Globe Life Field hosted its first game with an exhibition between the Rangers and Colorado Rockies on July 21. The regular season opener took place three days later between those two teams.
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But Globe Life Field would ultimately host nearly 400,000 individuals through a variety of events conducted with strict health and safety protocols and limited capacities. A timeline of Globe Life Field in 2020: High School Graduations: Beginning on May 29, Globe Life Field hosted 60 high school graduations from a number of local Independent School District. The first public event in the facility’s history was the graduation for Jack E. Singley Academy in Irving. Overall, just over Rangers starter Lance Lynn throws the first 25,000 students were able to graduate in person regular season pitch in Globe Life Field history, July 24, 2020 versus Colorado. at Globe Life Field. Public Tours: The Rangers began offering public tours of Globe Life Field on June 1. The Luminova Holidays: Globe Life Field hosted hour-long tours, which were limited to small nearly 50,000 people for Luminova Holidays, groups in each session, attracted over 27,000 which encompassed 2.7 million twinkling lights curious individuals in 2020. on the upper concourse and an outdoor ice skating Major League Baseball Playoffs: The pandemic pond, children’s train rides, and interactive activities necessitated the need for a neutral site postseason on the North Plaza. The holiday event was held for the final three rounds for 36 nights between of the American and Globe Life Field, a public-private November 20, 2020 and National League Divipartnership between the City of January 3, 2021. sion and Championship Arlington and the Texas Rangers, Wrangler® National Series and the World is not only the team’s new home Finals Rodeo: Globe Series. Globe Life Field but also a multipurpose sports and Life Field was the site was selected to host the entertainment venue that includes of the 2020 Wrangler® NLDS, NLCS, and the capabilities for hosting numerous National Finals Rodeo first neutral site World local, regional, and national events. from December 3-12. Series in the 116 years of The Professional Rodeo the Fall Classic. Cowboys Association’s After the three-game NLDS between the biggest annual event was moved from Las Vegas Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres was to Arlington in September and was coordinated played in an empty park, approximately 11,500 and produced with just three months of lead time. tickets per game were made available the NLCS Over ten nights, 146,696 fans were entertained and World Series. Those 13 games were all with a great experience. sellouts. The seven-game series with the Dodgers Globe Life Field is scheduled to host numerand Atlanta Braves attracted 75,843 while Los ous sports and entertainment events in addition Angeles’ six-game World Series victory over the to the Rangers home games in 2021. But the faTampa Bay Rays drew 68,622. cility’s opening year in 2020 will be remembered. SU R PR ISE S TA D I U M .COM
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2021 TEXAS RANGERS SCHEDULE SUN
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7:05
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EXHIBITION GAMES
TUE 1
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30
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TB 3:05
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8:38
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7:05
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6:05
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CLE 7:05
OAK 3:07
18
7:05
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5:35
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OAK 8:40
8:07
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BAL 6:05
2
CLE 6:05
CLE 2:05
SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
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OwnerProfile
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
John Sherman On August 30, 2019, John J. Sherman reached an agreement to purchase the Kansas City Royals from the Glass family, officially becoming the franchise’s third owner on November 25, 2019. Having lived in Kansas City for over 40 years, Mr. Sherman has been an entrepreneur, civic leader, and philanthropist who is extensively involved in the business, civic, and philanthropic communities in the region. Prior to his purchase of the Royals, Mr. Sherman served as a Vice Chairman and minority ownership partner of the Cleveland Indians, beginning on August 19, 2016. During his threeplus seasons with Cleveland, he was active in the management of the ball club and was also active on Major League Baseball’s Audit Committee.
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He has been responsible for establishing two successful businesses in Kansas City. His first startup, LPG Services Group, grew rapidly and merged with Dynergy (NYSE: DYN) in 1996. Mr. Sherman later founded Inergy L.P., which went public in 2001. He led Inergy through a period of tremendous growth, merging it with Crestwood Holdings in 2013, and continues to serve on the board of (now) Crestwood Equity Partners (NYSE: CEQP). Mr. Sherman was recognized as an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2002 and later inducted into the 2014 inaugural class of the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) Bloch School of Business Entrepreneurs Hall of Fame with a group that included Ewing Kauff-
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KANSAS CITY ROYALS OWNERSHIP GROUP John Sherman, Chairman and CEO,
man – the original owner of the Royals – and Lamar Hunt, a founder of the American Football League (AFL) and original owner of the Kansas City Chiefs. John and his wife, Marny, reside in Kansas City, Mo. The couple is active in numerous charitable efforts with heavy involvement in educational opportunities for the underserved. He is a past Chair of the Board of Directors for both the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City and The Truman Presidential Library Institute. He currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Civic Council, UMKC Foundation and Teach for America Kansas City, while also serving as a trustee of the Kauffman Foundation and the National World War I Museum. Mr. Sherman earned his degree from nearby Ottawa University (Kan.), where he played quarterback for the Braves’ football team.
Brooks Sherman Paul Edgerley Co-Founder/ManagingDirector, VantEdge Partners Bill Gautreaux Managing Partner, MLP Holdings Carl Hughes Hughes Sports, LLC Terry Matlack Co-Founder/Managing Director, VantEdge Partners Paul & Jonalee McLaughlin PJM Baseball, LLC The Dunn Family and JE Dunn The Lockton Family Michael Haverty The Michael & Marlys Haverty Family Glenn Goldstein, M.D. Seventh Inning Stretch, LP Peter & Veronica Mallouk President, Creative Planning Rob Kaplan Business Leader/Venture Philanthropist PlayBallKC LLC Alan Atterbury, Blue Note, LLC J.B. Hebenstreit, Don Wagner The Bradley Family Mariner Kemper UMB Financial Corporation, along w/ the Kemper Family Kent McCarthy President & Founder, Jayhawk Capital Management Eric Stonestreet Actor/Entertainer Jay A. Pack President, Pack Family Partnership Dan Dees Co-Head of Investment Banking, Goldman Sachs Mark Demetree Chairman, MCD Investments LLC Patrick Mahomes Kansas City Chiefs Quarterback Karen L. Daniel
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Manager Profile
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Mike Matheny M
was named the 17th full-time manager in Kansas City Royals history on October 31, 2019. In his first season at the helm, he led the club to a 26-34 record in a year that was shortened to 60 games due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Matheny’s first season in Royal Blue included a 12-6 finish, with series wins over playoff clubs, Cleveland and St. Louis, and was highlighted by outstanding performances from young homegrown talent, fueling optimism for the 2021 campaign.
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He enters the season with a 617-508 career record (.548) and his winning percentage ranks fourth among active managers, trailing only Aaron Boone (.615), Dave Roberts (.614) and Joe Girardi (.552), while his career win total is eighth among active skippers. Matheny managed the St. Louis Cardinals from 2012-18, being relieved of his duties on July 14, 2018. He compiled a .555 winning percentage (591-474) as the Cards’ skipper, after being named to the position on November 14, 2011. When he was hired, he was the youngest (age 41) active manager in the Major Leagues and youngest St. Louis skipper since Jack Krol (also 41) in 1978. He Led St. Louis to the postseason in each of his first four seasons, becoming the first manager to do that in Major League history. He led the Cards to a Wild Card berth in 2012, then followed that up with three-straight National League Central titles (2013-15). He managed the club to a World Series appearance in 2013, falling to the Boston Red Sox, while his teams reached the National League Championship Series in 2012 and 2014, before bowing to the eventual World Series champion San Francisco Giants both seasons. He enters the 2021 season having managed 43 postseason games, which are third most in the Majors since 2012, trailing only AJ Hinch (50) and Dave Roberts (47). His 21 postseason victories are fifth most in baseball over the last eight postseasons.
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Matheny posted a winning record each year with St. Louis, including a Major League-best 100 victories during the 2015 campaign. During his tenure, the Cardinals had the third-highest winning percentage in baseball. He was hired by the Royals as a Special Advisor-Player Development on November 23, 2018, serving in that capacity during the 2019 season. He served in a similar role with St. Louis (2008-11) before he was hired as manager. A veteran of 13 Major League seasons, Matheny was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers out of the University of Michigan in the eighth round of the 1991 draft. He made his debut with the Brewers in 1994 and played for Milwaukee (1994-98), Toronto (1999), St. Louis (2000-04) and San Francisco (2005-06) in his career. Matheny was a four-time Rawlings Gold Glove Award winner (2000, 2003-05) at catcher and holds the Major League catching record for most consecutive errorless games (252) and at one time held the mark for consecutive errorless chances (1,565), until it was broken by Mike Redmond in 2010. He led National League catchers in fielding percentage twice (2003, 2004), while his .994 career fielding percentage ranks 21st all-time among Major League catchers (min. 500 games). Earned the Darryl Kile Award in 2003 – an annual award that recognizes the Cardinals’ player who best demonstrates the qualities that Kile brought to the clubhouse…also won the “Willie Mays Award” in 2005 for being the most inspirational player on the Giants. Matheny and his wife, Kristin, have five adult children: Tate, Katie, Luke, Jacob and Blaise. The couple also has three grandsons: Gunner, Tate, and Jax Tyler. Mike’s oldest son, Tate played baseball at Missouri State University and was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 2013. His daughter, Katie, played women’s ice hockey at the Ohio State University. His sons, Luke (Oklahoma State and St. Louis University), Jacob (Indiana) and Blaise (Missouri State) have also played collegiate
baseball at the NCAA Division I level. Matheny was born on September 22, 1970 in Reynoldsburg, Ohio and graduated from Reynoldsburg High School in 1988. He served as team captain for both the Raiders’ baseball and football teams and was a member of the Connie Mack National Championship team in 1989. He attended the University of Michigan, where he was co-captain of the Wolverines’ baseball team. His wife, Kristin, was also a varsity athlete at Michigan, playing field hockey. In 2005, he organized and created the “Catch-22” charity and saw the opening of the “Catch 22 Miracle Field” at Chesterfield Valley Athletic Complex in St. Louis. The field is designed and constructed to allow children of all abilities to experience the thrill of playing baseball. The charity has also built four handicap accessible fields, two handicap accessible playgrounds, purchased rehab and therapy equipment for a pediatric hospital and funded multiple foundations and research funds in aiding disadvantaged youth. In 2015, he published a book titled The Matheny Manifesto, which is about coaching youth baseball with the philosophy about respect, ownership, self-motivation and no-nonsense sportsmanship.
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Royals Reload for Return to Glory By Nick Kappel, Manager, Communications & Broadcasting
T
he magic of the Royals’ World Series run in 2015 cast a spell on fans who had gone 30 years without a postseason berth. But the reach of that team extended far beyond the limits of Kansas City. In the neighboring state to the south, Andrew Benintendi and his friends at the University of Arkansas watched in amazement as the Royals captivated baseball fans across the country with a style of play that this generation had never seen. “It was electric,” Benintendi said. At the time, he was just a few months removed from being selected seventh overall by Boston in the 2015 First-Year Player Draft. He debuted in the Major Leagues the following year, before finishing second in the American League Rookie of the Year voting in 2017. One year later,
Andrew Benintendi 36
he led Boston to a World Series championship. And now, five and a half years after admiring Kansas City’s championship team from afar, Benintendi is a Royal himself. Kansas City capped a flurry of offseason moves by trading for the 26-year-old Benintendi, who is expected to slot into left field following the retirement of Alex Gordon last season. He’ll be one of several new faces in the Royals lineup, joining All-Star first baseman Carlos Santana (who went to the World Series in 2016 with Cleveland) and center fielder Michael A. Taylor (who won the World Series in 2019 with Washington), both of whom signed free-agent contracts with Kansas City in December. That trio of new position players will add speed, on-base skills and power to a lineup that finished tied for next to last in runs scored in 2020. In particular, Benintendi and Santana have excelled in their careers at Kauffman Stadium. Benintendi, for example, has hit .485 (16-for-33) in eight career games in Kansas City. “I’ve always loved playing there,” Benintendi said. “I feel like I see the ball well.” Santana, meanwhile, has a .327 average and .628 slugging percentage in 74 career games at The K, and his 18 home runs are fifth most by any visiting player. In addition to Benintendi, Santana and Taylor, who the Royals believe has elite defensive ability, speed and untapped power potential, Whit Merrifield, Adalberto Mondesi and Salvador Perez are all coming off strong seasons at the plate. Jorge Soler and Hunter Dozier – who finished first and second on the club, respectively, in homers and RBI in 2019 – are both expected to bounce back from the shortened 2020 season.
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Add in outstanding defense from Nicky Lopez, whose six outfield outs above average last year tied for the Major League lead among second baseman, and the dynamics of this retooled Royals lineup has manager Mike Matheny excited for the coming year. “I’ve been skipping around here like a fool all day,” he said the day after the Royals announced the trade for Benintendi. The excitement is not just limited to position players. Mike Minor, who pitched to a 2.55 ERA across 77.2 innings for the Royals in 2017, was signed this offseason to help anchor the starting rotation. Although all 65 of his appearances with Kansas City four seasons ago were in relief, 71 of his 72 appearances from 2018-20 were as a starter, including a career-high 32 starts with Texas in 2019. He posted a 3.59 ERA over 208.1 innings that season and won a career-best 14 games en route to an All-Star Game selection. Kansas City capped a flurry of offseason moves by trading for the 26-year-old Benintendi, who is expected to slot into left field following the retirement of Alex Gordon last season. Minor is expected to join proven starters in the Royals rotation in Brad Keller and Danny Duffy, along with Brady Singer and Kris Bubic, who debuted in 2020. Keller led the Royals with five wins in just nine starts last season, and ranked fifth in the American League (min. 50.0 IP) with a 2.47 ERA (15 ER in 54.2 IP). Duffy, who enters his 11th Major League season in 2021 – all with the
Adalberto Mondes
Royals – finished second on the team last year in starts (11), innings (56.1) and strikeouts (57). Singer recorded 64.1 innings and 61 strikeouts in his debut, becoming the second Royal to lead both leagues in innings and strikeouts as a rookie, joining Steve Busby in 1973. Bubic held opponents to two earned runs or fewer in seven of his 10 starts, which tied for the most such starts among American League rookies. He also posted a strikeout rate of 8.82 (49 K in 50.0 IP), setting the club record in any rookie season (min. 10 starts). Jakob Junis, Carlos Hernández and Ronald Bolaños are among those who also made starts in 2020, and 15-year veteran Ervin Santana (who made 32 starts for the Royals in 2013) was signed to a non-roster deal prior to Spring Training. The Royals’ stable of starters goes even deeper than that, as prospects Daniel Lynch and Jackson Kowar, among others, are knocking on the door of the big leagues. Kansas City’s bullpen dramatically improved from 2019 to 2020 – from 27th in ERA to eighth – and the 2021 version promises to be even better. Greg Holland, who ranks fourth in club history with 151 saves, re-signed with the club this offseason after going 3-0 with six saves and a 1.91 ERA (6 ER in 28.1 IP) with the
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Salvador Pérez
Royals in 2020. Jesse Hahn bounced back from injury to post a 0.52 ERA (1 ER in 17.1 IP) in 18 appearances last year. His .071 opponents’ average (4-for-56) was the lowest single-season mark in Major League history (min. 50 batters faced). Holland and Hahn may also be joined by former World Series hero Wade Davis, who signed a minor league deal with the club this offseason after a three-year stint in Colorado. The veteran trio could lead the way for a bullpen that is young and talented thanks to the presence of Scott Barlow, Josh Staumont, Kyle Zimmer and Tyler Zuber. Barlow led the Majors with 32 appearances last season. Staumont recorded a whopping 37 strikeouts and a 2.45 ERA in 25.2 innings in 2020, while accounting for five of the top six pitch velocities in the Majors. Zimmer, a former first-round pick, posted a dazzling 1.57 ERA in 23.0 innings. And Zuber did not allow a run in 17 of his 23 appearances as a rookie last season. Those strong performances in 2020 led to a 26-34 record over the 60-game season, which put the Royals on pace for a 70-win season over 162 games. That would have represented an 11-win improvement from 2019. Another step in that direction this year would place the Royals 38
in postseason contention for the first time since Benintendi and his friends in Arkansas witnessed the club’s historic 2015 World Series run. The optimism that this Royals team can return to that level of play extends throughout the organization. “I’ve been hearing [the excitement] from [our players],” Matheny said. “They think [the offseason moves] are a statement by our organization. And it’s a huge statement to our fan base that man, watch. Just watch this. Because we’ve got some really cool pieces in place.”
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Jorge Soler
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Alex Gordon
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A
n eight-time Rawlings Gold Glove Award winner and three-time AllStar, outfielder Alex Gordon capped a spectacular career last season, spending his entire 14-year career with the Royals. He’s one of three position players to play 14 seasons or more in Kansas City, joining George Brett (21 seasons) and Frank White (18 seasons). He was drafted second overall in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Nebraska and helped lead a rebuild of the Royals that culminated in the franchise’s second World Series championship in 2015.
He finished his career ranking in the franchise’s Top 10 in nearly every statistical category, including first in hit-by-pitches (121), in which he broke Mike Macfarlane’s previous club record by 43, while he was also third in walks (684), fourth in homers (190), fifth in doubles (357), extra-base hits (573) and total bases (2622) and sixth in runs (867), hits (1643) and RBI (749). Defensively, the two-time Rawlings Platinum Glove winner was second in franchise history with 102 outfield assists, trailing only Amos Otis (116). After changing positions following the 2009 season, Gordon’s outfield assist total was the highest in baseball between 2010-20, while he led the league in both 2011 and 2013. He became the first player since 1972 (Roberto Clemente and Wes Parker) to win a Rawlings Gold Glove in his final big league season, and the first ever to win a Platinum Glove in his final year. SU R PR ISE S TA D I U M .COM
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2021 Kansas City Roster as of Feb. 25, 2021 No.
Pitchers (19)
B-T
Ht.
Wt.
Born
Birthplace
2020 Club
58
Scott Barlow
R-R
6-3
215
12-18-92
New London, CT
KANSAS CITY
64
Scott Blewett
R-R
6-6
245
04-10-96
Syracuse, NY
KANSAS CITY
57
Ronald Bolaños
R-R
6-2
230
08-23-96
Santa Cruz del Notre, Cuba
KANSAS CITY
50
Kris Bubic
L-L
6-3
220
08-19-97
Cupertino, CA
KANSAS CITY
30
Danny Duffy
L-L
6-3
205
12-21-88
Goleta, CA
KANSAS CITY
32
Jesse Hahn
R-R
6-5
215
07-30-89
Norwich, CT
KANSAS CITY
43
Carlos Hernández
R-R
6-4
250
03-11-97
Guayana, Venezuela
KANSAS CITY
35
Greg Holland
R-R
5-10
205
11-20-85
Marion, NC
KANSAS CITY
24
Jakob Junis
R-R
6-3
210
09-16-92
Jacksonville, AR
KANSAS CITY
56
Brad Keller
R-R
6-5
230
07-27-95
Snellville, GA
KANSAS CITY
55
Richard Lovelady
L-L
6-0
180
07-07-95
Hinesville, GA
KANSAS CITY
23
Mike Minor
R-L
6-4
210
12-26-87
Chapel Hill, TN
TEXAS
68
Jake Newberry
R-R
6-2
195
11-20-94
San Diego, CA
KANSAS CITY
51
Brady Singer
R-R
6-5
215
08-04-96
Leesburg, FL
KANSAS CITY
63
Josh Staumont
R-R
6-3
200
12-21-93
La Habra, CA
KANSAS CITY
46
Daniel Tillo
L-L
6-5
230
06-13-96
Sioux City, IA
61
Angel Zerpa
L-L
6-0
175
09-27-99
Valle de la Pascua, Venezuela
Burlington (Rookie)
45
Kyle Zimmer
R-R
6-3
225
09-13-91
San Francisco, CA
KANSAS CITY
53
Tyler Zuber
R-R
5-11
190
06-16-95
White Hall, AR
KANSAS CITY
No.
Catchers (4)
B-T
Ht.
Wt.
Born
Birthplace
2020 Club
36
Cam Gallagher
R-R
6-3
230
12-06-92
Lancaster, PA
KANSAS CITY
13
Salvador Perez
R-R
6-3
250
05-10-90
Valencia, Venezuela
KANSAS CITY
48
Sebastian Rivero
R-R
6-1
195
11-16-98
Maracay, Venezuela
OAKLAND
72
Meibrys Viloria
L-R
5-11
220
02-15-97
Cartagena, Colombia
KANSAS CITY
No.
Infielders (8)
B-T
Ht.
Wt.
Born
Birthplace
2020 Club
17
Hunter Dozier
R-R
6-4
220
08-22-91
Wichita Falls, TX
KANSAS CITY
38
Lucius Fox
S-R
6-1
185
07-02-92
Nassau, Bahamas
KC/TB
19
Kelvin Gutierrez
R-R
6-2
215
08-28-94
San Francisco de Macoris, D.R.
KANSAS CITY
1
Nicky Lopez
L-R
5-11
175
03-13-95
Naperville, IL
KANSAS CITY
9
Ryan McBroom
R-L
6-3
235
04-09-92
Fredericksburg, VA
KANSAS CITY
27
Adalberto Mondesi
S-R
6-1
190
07-27-95
Los Angeles, CA
KANSAS CITY
66
Ryan O’Hearn
L-L
6-3
220
07-26-93
Dunedin, FL
KANSAS CITY
41
Carlos Santana
S-R
5-11
210
04-08-86
Santo Domingo, D.R.
CLEVELAND
No.
Outfielders (6)
B-T
Ht.
Wt.
Born
Birthplace
2020 Club
16
Andrew Benintendi
L-L
5-9
180
07-06-94
Cincinnati, OH
BOSTON
0
Nick Heath
L-L
6-1
190
11-27-93
Atlanta, GA
KANSAS CITY
15
Whit Merrifield
R-R
6-1
195
01-24-89
Florence, SC
KANSAS CITY
14
Edward Olivares
R-R
6-2
190
03-06-96
Caracas, Venezuela
SAN DIEGO
12
Jorge Soler
R-R
6-4
235
02-25-92
Havana, Cuba
KANSAS CITY
2
Michael Taylor
R-R
6-4
215
03-26-91
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
WASHINGTON
KANSAS CITY
40-Man Roster MANAGER: Mike Matheny (22); COACHES: Terry Bradshaw (44); Larry Carter (34); Cal Eldred (21); Pedro Grifol (6); Rusty Kuntz (18); John Mabry (47); Tony Pena Jr. (39); Vance Wilson (25) W-L
ERA
G
GS
CG
SV
IP
H
R
ER
BB
SO
MLS
2-1
4.20
32
0
0
0
30.0
27
14
14
9
39
2.030
0-0
6.00
2
0
0
0
3.0
6
2
2
1
4
0.031
0-2
12.27
2
2
0
0
3.2
8
7
5
3
2
0.056
1-6
4.32
10
10
0
0
50.0
52
29
24
22
49
0.164
4-4
4.95
12
11
0
0
56.1
53
33
31
22
57
9.085
1-0
0.52
18
0
0
3
17.1
4
1
1
8
19
5.067
0-1
4.91
5
3
0
0
14.2
19
9
8
6
13
0.081
3-1
1.91
28
0
0
6
28.1
20
8
6
7
31
8.163
0-2
6.39
8
6
0
0
25.1
35
18
18
6
19
3.087
5-3
2.47
9
9
1
0
54.2
39
16
15
17
35
3.000
0-0
9.00
1
0
0
0
1.0
1
1
1
1
0
0.100
0-5
5.60
7
7
0
0
35.1
35
23
22
13
35
9.138
1-1
5.48
5
4
1
0
21.1
15
13
13
7
27
1-0
4.09
20
0
0
0
22.0
20
12
10
12
24
1.151
4-5
4.06
12
12
0
0
64.1
52
29
29
23
61
1.000
2-1
2.45
26
0
0
0
25.2
20
8
7
16
37
1.072
KC Alternate Training Site
0.000 0.000
1-0
1.57
16
1
0
0
23.0
14
4
4
10
26
1.064
1-2
4.09
23
0
0
0
22.0
15
11
10
20
30
1.000
AVG
G
AB
R
H
2B
3B
HR
RBI
BB
SO
SB
MLS
.283
25
53
10
15
5
0
1
3
6
11
0
2.106
.333
37
150
22
50
12
0
11
32
3
36
1
9.050
Alternate Training Site
0.000
.190
15
21
1
4
1
0
0
0
2
9
0
AVG
G
AB
R
H
2B
3B
HR
RBI
BB
SO
SB
MLS
.228
44
158
29
36
4
2
6
12
27
48
4
3.060
.111
4
9
0
1
0
0
0
0
3
6
0
1.049
.201
56
169
15
34
8
0
1
13
18
41
0
1.139
.247
36
81
8
20
3
0
6
10
4
30
0
1.027
.256
59
219
33
56
11
3
6
22
11
70
24
3.088
.195
42
113
7
22
6
0
2
18
18
37
0
2.034
.199
60
206
34
41
7
0
8
30
47
43
0
10.115
Alternate Training -Site
1.020
0.000
AVG
G
AB
R
H
2B
3B
HR
RBI
BB
SO
SB
MLS
.103
14
39
4
4
1
0
0
2
11
17
1
4.062
.154
15
13
2
2
1
0
0
3
2
6
2
0.158
.282
60
248
38
70
12
0
9
30
12
33
12
4.101
.176
13
34
4
6
1
0
1
3
2
14
0
0.161
.274
18
62
5
17
1
1
2
7
2
11
0
.228
43
149
17
34
8
0
8
24
19
60
0
5.143
.196
38
92
11
18
6
0
5
16
6
27
0
5.129
2021 Kansas City Kansas City Royals Spring No.
Pitchers (18)
B-T
Ht.
Wt.
Born
Birthplace
2020 Club
87
Jonathan Bowlan
R-R
6-6
265
12-01-96
Arlington, TN
KC Alt. Training Site
31
Brad Brach
R-R
6-6
215
04-12-86
Freehold, NJ
NEW YORK-NL
59
Jake Brentz
L-L
6-2
195
09-14-94
Ballwin, MO
KC Alt. Training Site
86
Austin Cox
L-L
6-4
185
03-28-97
Macon, GA
KC Alt. Training Site
71
Wade Davis
R-R
6-5
225
09-07-85
Lake Wales, FL
COLORADO
85
Jon Heasley
R-R
6-3
215
01-27-97
Plano, TX
KC Alt. Training Site
81
Jake Kalish
L-L
6-2
215
07-09-91
Red Bank, NJ
KC Alt. Training Site
37
Jackson Kowar
R-R
6-5
190
10-04-96
Weddington, NC
KC Alt. Training Site
33
Asa Lacy
L-L
6-4
215
06-02-99
Bryan, TX
KC Alt. Training Site
52
Daniel Lynch
L-L
6-6
205
11-17-96
Newport News, VA
KC Alt. Training Site
96
Alec Marsh
R-R
6-3
210
05-14-98
Waukesha, WI
KC Alt. Training Site
83
Noah Murdock
R-R
6-8
190
08-20-98
Henrico, VA
Burlington (R)
74
Carlos Sanabria
R-R
6-3
165
01-24-97
La Victoria, Venezuela
HOUSTON
54
Ervin Santana
R-R
6-2
175
12-12-82
San Cristobal, D.R
65
Eric Skoglund
L-L
6-7
215
10-26-92
Sarasota, FL
Omaha (AAA)
84
Colin Snider
R-R
6-4
200
10-10-95
Murfreesboro, TN
Wilmington (A+)
69
Andres Sotillet
R-R
6-1
175
03-02-97
Cumana, Venezula
Omaha (AAA)
67
Gabe Speier
L-L
5-11
175
04-12-95
Santa Barbara, CA
KANSAS CITY
No.
Catchers (3)
B-T
Ht.
Wt.
Born
Birthplace
2020 Club
62
Nick Dini
R-R
5-9
205
07-27-93
Monroe, NJ
KC Alt. Training Site
78
Freddy Fermin
R-R
5-10
195
05-16-95
Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela
KC Alt. Training Site
70
MJ Melendez
L-R
6-1
190
11-29-98
Daytona Beach, FL
KC Alt. Training Site
No.
Infielders (9)
B-T
Ht.
Wt.
Born
2020 Club
49
Hanser Alberto
R-R
5-11
215
10-17-92
77
Gabriel Cancel
R-R
6-0
185
12-08-96
Birthplace San Francisco de Macoris, D.R. Manati, P.R.
90
Clay Dungan
L-R
6-1
190
06-02-96
Muncie, IN
Lexington (A)
75
Jeison Guzmán
L-R
6-2
200
10-08-98
Santo Domingo, D.R.
KANSAS CITY
89
Nick Loftin
R-R
6-1
185
09-25-98
Corpus Christi, TX
Wilmington (A+)
26
Erick Mejia
S-R
5-11
190
11-09-94
Villa Mella, D.R.
KANSAS CITY
88
Nick Pratto
L-L
6-1
195
10-06-98
Huntington Beach, CA
KC Alt. Training Site
73
Emmanuel Rivera
R-R
6-2
215
06-29-96
Mayaguez, P.R.
Omaha (AAA)
7
Bobby Witt Jr.
R-R
6-1
190
06-14-00
Bedford, TX
KC Alt. Training Site
No.
Outfielders (5)
B-T
Ht.
Wt.
Born
Birthplace
2020 Club
76
Kyle Isbel
L-L
5-11
190
03-03-97
Fontana, CA
KC Alt. Training Site
99
Seuly Matias
R-R
6-3
200
09-04-98
La Isabela, D.R.
KC Alt. Training Site
98
Anderson Miller
L-L
6-3
210
05-06-94
Lexington, KY
Omaha (AAA)
79
Erick Pena
L-R
6-3
190
02-20-03
Santo Domingo, D.R.
DSL Royals
11
Bubba Starling
R-R
6-4
215
08-03-92
Gardner, KS
KANSAS CITY
BALTIMORE Omaha (AAA)
40-Man Roster Training Non-Roster Invitees W-L
ERA
G
GS
CG
SV
IP
H
R
ER
BB
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1-0
5.84
14
0
0
0
12.1
8
8
8
14
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0-1
20.77
5
0
0
2
4.1
9
10
10
3
SO
MLS 0.000
14
8.063 0.000 0.000
3
11.029 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000
0-0
9.00
2
0
0
0
2.0
3
2
2
3
2
Did not pitch
0.000 0.031 13.123 1.109 0.000 0.000
0-1
7.94
8
0
0
0
5.2
9
5
5
4
6
AVG
G
AB
R
H
2B
3B
HR
RBI
BB
SO
SB
0.105
MLS 0.053 0.000 0.000
AVG
G
AB
R
H
2B
3B
HR
RBI
BB
SO
SB
MLS
.283
54
219
35
62
15
0
3
22
5
30
3
4.085 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000
.071
8
14
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
7
1
0.091 0.000 0.000 0.000
AVG
G
AB
R
H
2B
3B
HR
RBI
BB
SO
SB
MLS 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000
.169
35
59
5
10
1
0
1
5
4
27
0
1.147
SURPRISE STADIUM
50/50 Sundancer Raffle
Accessible & Companion Seating:
The Surprise Stadium is excited to team up with the Surprise Sundancers, the official spring training volunteer organization of the Kansas City Royals, Texas Rangers and City of Surprise. The Sundancers are a registered 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization that currently consists of over 750 members who provide volunteer services at the Surprise Stadium and other City Special Events. As a nonprofit volunteer organization, the Surprise Sundancers raise charitable donations and receive contributions to support greater Surprise/Northwest Valley youth-related programs and projects, including the award winning Dream Catcher Park.
Accessible seating is located throughout the Surprise Stadium. Guests may purchase tickets for these sections at any Stadium ticket window or by phone. Companion seating is located in the disabled seating sections.
50/50 raffle tickets are sold during each game and drawing is held at the middle of the 8th inning to determine which lucky fans gets to split the total jackpot for that game with the Surprise Sundancers.
Surprise Stadium 15850 N. Bullard Avenue Surprise, AZ 85374
48
Accessible Parking: Accessible parking is available for all Spring Training Games and special events. This accessible parking is located in the southwest corner of the main lot outside of the 3rd base gate. Address and Phone Numbers:
Surprise Stadium Box Office – 623.222.2222 Aramark Concessionaire – 623.222.2384 Surprise Stadium Operations Office – 623.222.2230 Lost and Found – 623.222.2230
SU R PR ISE S TA D I U M .COM
2021 A-Z GUIDE Alcohol Policy:
Baby Strollers:
No outside alcoholic beverages will be permitted into the stadium. Valid I.D. is required for purchase. A guest that appears to be 30 years of age or younger must produce a valid form of acceptable identification.
Baby strollers are welcome in Surprise Stadium however when not in use, are to be folded so to not impede or interfere with guests in all seating areas. Upon use, please use caution when walking along concourse, sidewalk or accessible seating areas. Children ages 2 and older are required to have a ticket for admission.
Acceptable forms of valid United States identification for alcoholic beverage purchases are: U.S. Driver’s License, Passport, State Issued I.D. Card w/ Photo, Military I.D. w/ Photo. All alcoholic beverage sales will be discontinued at the first pitch of the eighth inning. All guests must be 21 years of age to purchase an alcoholic beverage. Animals: Animals are not permitted within Surprise Stadium with the exception of trained service animals for Guests with disabilities. The ADA defines a service animal as a dog or miniature horse individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability. Automated External Defibrillators (AED): Automated External Defibrillators are located for emergency use on the main concourse near sections 111, 112 and Centerfield entry.
Backpacks/Bags: Surprise Stadium has instituted a No Bags Policy, with the limited exception of medical bags and manufactured diaper bags for fans accompanying young children, as well as a personal clutch (5 in. x 8 in.) that may be visually inspected. Guests who arrive at the venue with these items will be asked to return them to their car. Banners and Signs: Banners and/or signs may not be hung in the field of play or are to be displayed while the game is in progress to avoid game interference or guests viewing obstruction. Additionally, signs or banners may not be commercial in nature, obscene, or cause a disturbance amongst other guests. Poles for displaying banners or signs are not permitted in the stadium.
Baby Changing Tables: Baby changing tables are available in all restrooms. Restrooms are located at Centerfield entrance, 1st Base Concourse, 3rd Base Concourse and Stadium Upper Deck. SU R PR ISE S TA D I U M .COM
49
Beverages, Bottles and Cans:
Box Office:
Glass bottles, metal containers, thermos, aluminum cans or outside beverages are not permitted in the stadium. Guests are permitted to bring up to one (1) sealed plastic water bottle, up to 1 liter into the Stadium.
The Surprise Stadium Box Office is located just outside the Main Centerfield Entrance. Box office hours are the following :Game day ticket office hours are 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Cashless Payment
Billy Parker Field: The City of Surprise christened Billy Parker Field at Surprise Stadium in 2002 upon the opening of the new spring training home of the Kansas City Royals and the Texas Rangers. The former City of Surprise Parks and Recreation Director made his Major League debut on Sept. 8, 1971 with the California Angels and hit a game-winning home run in his first game. His professional career included stops in Quad City, Iowa, El Paso and Salt Lake City. The Salt Lake City Angels team he played for in 1971 won the Pacific Coast League title. Parker was named to the league’s All-Star team. He played for the Angels until 1973 and his contract was purchased by the New York Yankees in 1974. He retired from baseball in 1976. Following his career in baseball, he worked in home construction until taking over the position of Director of Parks and Recreation with the City of Surprise. Bicycle Parking Rack: Bicycles are NOT permitted inside Surprise Stadium, however guests may lock and secure bicycles at their own risk at the following location: south area near entrance of Surprise Stadium Centerfield Team Shop. Blankets: Blankets are permitted in Surprise Stadium, as long as they are carried in through security screening over the shoulder. 50
All tickets, concessions, and retail points of sale will be going cashless. Capacity Reduction Stadium capacity will be reduced to 25% to meet local, MLB, and CDC guidelines to help limit the spread of COVID-19. Cameras and Video Devices Personal still photo cameras are welcome into the stadium. Tripods or any other equipment used to stabilize or elevate any type of camera may not obstruct walkways or view of seated guests. Video reproduction is strictly prohibited without written consent of Major League Baseball. Children’s Entry: Children ages 2 and older are required to have a ticket for admission. Any child who enters without a ticket must share a seat with a ticketed accompanying adult. Chairs Chairs are not permitted into Surprise Stadium at any time. This includes any form or type of chair/and or seat that is intended to elevate an individual above the ground. Portable bleacher style chairs/cushions are permitted.
SU R PR ISE S TA D I U M .COM
Cleanliness
Elevator Service – Upper Deck/Stadium Suites:
Surprise Stadium has increased the frequency and scope of cleaning and sanitizing between events as well as between guests at events. Hand sanitizing stations for public and staff use have been added to high-traffic areas. Surprise Stadium has implemented the use of industrial-grade, mobile sanitization units that will be used to disinfect surfaces throughout the stadium prior to, during and after events. Hand sanitizer will be made available at various points throughout the stadium. Concessions & Retail Locations When possible, food will be served in covered, individual containers. Condiments and similar items will be distributed in pre-packaged servings. All concessions and retail locations will have social distant line queuing and plexi barriers at each payment location to ensure social distancing. Surprise Stadium allows food to be brought into the stadium. The food must be presented in a one-gallon clear ziploc/freezer bag. One clear, sealed one (1) liter plastic water bottle or empty plastic water/sports bottles will be allowed, as will single serving juice boxes, baby food and formula. No beverages, other than water or boxed juices will be allowed. (Food and Beverage policy may vary by event) Containers/Coolers/Ice Chests: Hard sided containers, coolers, thermoses or ice chests of any kind are not permitted into Surprise Stadium.
A service elevator is available for ticketed guest accessing stadium suites and Upper Deck and Legends Deck Seating Levels 201-206. The service elevator is located in the Surprise Stadium operations lobby, located behind home plate on the main concourse. Entry and Exit Locations: The Surprise Stadium offers three designated areas that serve as guest’s point of entry and exit locations – 1st Base Entry, 3rd Base Entry and Centerfield gate. Game re-entry is permitted provided that guests follow proper re-entry procedures. Guests re-entering stadium must enter through security screening. Locations may vary by event. Exchanges (Tickets): Surprise Stadium Box Office has a policy of no exchanges or refunds for tickets purchased. All dates and times are subject to change; such changes do not constitute reason for refund or exchange. Please see Tickets for more information. Face Coverings: Surprise Stadium is requiring that all guests age two and up must wear a face covering at all times (other than while actively eating or drinking, which is only permitted in your seats). It is strongly recommended that fans arrive at the stadium wearing face coverings, and wear them walking to and from parking lots or public transit. All Surprise Stadium Staff & Surprise Sundancer Volunteers are required to wear face coverings. Please assure that your face coverings (whether disposable or reusable) follow CDC Guidelines listed here CDC guidelines for proper face coverings.
SU R PR ISE S TA D I U M .COM
51
Family Restrooms: There are family restrooms located throughout the ballpark, which are available for individuals with small children, elderly or anyone with a disability. • Centerfield Plaza • Main Concourse; behind seating section 109 Fan Conduct: The Surprise Stadium are committed to creating a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable sports & entertainment experience. Guests attending sporting events and activities at Surprise Stadium are to expect an environment where: • Guests will be treated in a consistent, professional and courteous manner by all Surprise Stadium staff. • Guests will be allowed to enjoy the events at Surprise Stadium free from disruptive behavior, including foul, abusive, discriminatory, obscene or threatening language, gestures or actions. More specifically, Surprise Stadium explicitly prohibits such language and behavior that are based on characteristics including, but not limited to, gender, sexual orientation, gender identification, age, race, national origin, religion, military status, disability status or any other characteristic. • Guests who are under the influence of alcoholic beverages or any other intoxicating substance who behave in an irresponsible manner will be handled in a prompt and safe manner. • Guests will sit only in their ticketed seats and show their tickets when requested. • Guests will not engage in fighting, taunting, throwing objects, attempting to enter any competition surface or field of 52
play or other conduct that will disrupt the competition. Those who engage in any of these actions will immediately be ejected from the event. • Guests will smoke in designated smoking areas only. • There will not be any obscene or indecent messages on signs or clothing, or obscene or indecent conduct. • Guests will comply with requests from Guest Services staff regarding venue operations and emergency response procedures. • Guests must not interfere with any ball in play. Fan Screening All guests entering Surprise Stadium will pass through metal detection devices. If a guest has a medical condition in which this process cannot take place, guests shall alert security personnel before undergoing security screening. As part of the process, guests will have to remove cell phones, cameras and other large metal objects before passing through the detectors. Guests in wheelchairs and those with medical devices that may set off the detector are subject to alternative screening methods. All persons consent to allowing the Surprise Stadium and/or their designees to inspect his/her person (and that of any minor accompanying such person) and any approved/ permitted bags, clothing, or other articles for security purposes, by any means determined by the Surprise Stadium. Field Access: Per Major League Baseball rules and Surprise Stadium policy, only authorized personnel will be permitted on the field before, during or after a game. Any unauthorized person going onto the field will be removed from the ballpark and subject to arrest.
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First Aid: First Aid is located on the main concourse behind seating section 101. Emergency medical personnel are on duty at each Spring Training Game. Should you need assistance, please notify the nearest uniformed employee. Food and Beverage Policy Surprise Stadium allows food to be brought into the stadium. The food must be presented in a one-gallon clear ziploc/freezer bag. One clear, sealed one (1) liter plastic water bottle or empty plastic water/sports bottles will be allowed, as will single serving juice boxes, baby food and formula. No beverages, other than water or boxed juices will be allowed. (Food and Beverage policy may vary by event) Foul Balls: Guests are welcome to keep any foul ball hit into the stands. At no time should a foul or home run ball be thrown back on the field. Violators will be subject to ejection. Any Guest interfering with a ball in play will be subject to ejection from the ballpark. In addition, any Guest going onto the playing field will be ejected from the ballpark and may be subject to arrest and prosecution. Surprise Stadium cannot be held responsible for the conduct of other Guests when attempting to obtain a foul or home run ball. Spectator of professional baseball assumes the risk of any injury to person or property resulting from any of the inherent dangers and risks of such activity and may not recover from an owner of a baseball team or an owner of a stadium where professional baseball is played for injury resulting from the inherent dangers and risks of observing professional baseball, including but not limited to being struck by a baseball or a baseball bat. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, Guests assume all risks and danger incidental to the game of baseball, whether occurring prior to, during or subsequent to the actual playing of the game, including without limitation, injury from thrown bats, fragments thereof, thrown or batted balls and spectator conduct. Guests agree that neither the Surprise Stadium, City of Surprise, the opposing team, their respective players and agents, Major League Baseball shall be liable for injuries or damages caused by such risks or dangers. Please review the stadium ticket terms for further details: SurpriseStadium.com/Terms Game Cancellation: There are no refunds or exchanges unless an official game is not played. In the event that 5 innings of one game are not played, except when the home team is in the lead at the end of 4 innings, the following policy will apply: Exchanges due to an official game cancellation: All paid tickets purchased through an authorized Surprise Stadium outlet, may be exchanged at the box office only for any future 2021 Spring Training Game at Surprise Stadium for the same home team. Exchanges are subject to seat availability on a game by game basis. Complimentary tickets may not be exchanged under any circumstances. Refunds For Tickets Purchased At The Surprise Stadium Box Office, By Phone, Via The Internet or At Any Tickets.Com Outlet: If a game for which you purchased tickets is cancelled, rescheduled, postponed or has restricted capacity that prohibits the specific seats you purchased from being used, the ticket value of the impacted game(s) will be
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refunded in the same manner by which the ticket(s) were purchased. Except as expressly stated herein, all sales are final and there are no refunds. Refund excludes service and delivery fees. Complimentary tickets may not be refunded or exchanged under any circumstances 2021 Surprise Stadium Ticket Assurance As we prepare for the 2021 season, we are dedicated to protecting the health and safety of our fans with enhanced precautions and procedures, while continuing to provide the great ballpark experience to which you are accustomed. If, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a game for which you purchased tickets is cancelled, rescheduled, postponed or has restricted capacity that prohibits the specific seats you purchased from being used, the ticket value of the impacted game(s) will be refunded in the same manner by which the ticket(s) were purchased. Except as expressly stated herein, all sales are final and there are no refunds. Refund excludes service charges and handling fees. Should you have any questions, please contact the Surprise Stadium ticket office for more details.
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Gates and Gate Opening: Centerfield, 1st Base Entry and 3rd Base Entry will open 1 ½ hours prior to game time. Gate opening times may vary if game is rescheduled. Entry times and gate entry locations may vary by event. All ticketing holders should enter through their assigned gate, which is displayed on their mobile ticket. 1st Base Entry – Odd Sections (101-205) Centerfield Entry – Lawn Pods (Odd Pods: Left Field Even Pods: Right Field) 3rd Base Entry – Even Sections 102-206 Health & Safety Protocols Surprise Stadium’s top priority is the public safety and health of fans, players, staff and the community. The City of Surprise, in conjunction with the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers, have worked with state and industry leaders to develop a proactive and consistent COVID-19 Stadium Occupancy Plan in order to create a safe, socially distant environment for all involved. Acknowledgement of Potential Exposure: The Surprise Stadium has taken enhanced health and safety measures - for you, other patrons, staff and/or players. You must follow all posted instructions while visiting Surprise Stadium. An inherent risk of exposure to Communicable Disease (as defined below) exists in any public place where people are present. Communicable Diseases are extremely contagious and can lead to severe illness and death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, senior citizens and guests with underlying medical conditions are especially vulnerable. By attending the premises, holder, on his/her own behalf and on behalf of minor(s) (“Holder”), knowingly and voluntarily assume the risk of exposure to
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Communicable Disease and possible infection and is deemed to have given a full release of liability to the Released Parties (as defined at https://www.surprisestadium.com/terms) to the fullest extent permitted by law.
a ticket to attend the Event with Holder (each of whom Holder represents have authorized Holder to act on their behalf in accepting these terms). Injury Disclaimer:
FAN HEALTH PROMISE: Holder acknowledges and understands that, if infected with COVID-19 or other Communicable Disease (as defined at the conclusion of this paragraph), Holder and/ or any Accompanying Parties (as defined as the conclusion of this paragraph) may infect others that they may subsequently come in contact with, even if they are not experiencing or displaying any symptoms of illness, and that the risk of exposure to others remains at all times. Accordingly, Holder agrees that neither Holder nor any Accompanying Party will attend the Event if within fourteen (14) days preceding the Event, they have:
1. tested positive or presumptively positive for COVID-19 or other Communicable Disease or been identified as a potential carrier of COVID-19 or other Communicable Disease; OR 2. experienced any symptoms commonly associated with COVID-19 or other Communicable Disease; OR 3. been in direct contact with or the immediate vicinity of any person who is confirmed or suspected of being infected with COVID-19 or other Communicable Disease.
A “Communicable Disease” as used herein is COVID-19, any strains, variants, or mutations thereof, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, and/or any other communicable and/or infectious diseases, viruses, bacteria or illnesses or the causes thereof. An “Accompanying Party” as used herein is any accompanying party for whom Holder retains
The Surprise Stadium cannot be held responsible for the conduct of other Guests when attempting to obtain a foul or home run ball. Spectator of professional baseball assumes the risk of any injury to person or property resulting from any of the inherent dangers and risks of such activity and may not recover from an owner of a baseball team or an owner of a stadium where professional baseball is played for injury resulting from the inherent dangers and risks of observing professional baseball, including but not limited to being struck by a baseball or a baseball bat. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Guests assume all risks and danger incidental to the game of baseball, whether occurring prior to, during or subsequent to the actual playing of the game, including without limitation, injury from thrown bats, fragments thereof, thrown or batted balls and spectator conduct. Guests agree that neither the Surprise Stadium, City of Surprise, the opposing team, their respective players and agents, Major League Baseball shall be liable for injuries or damages caused by such risks or dangers. Lost and Found: The Surprise Stadium cannot be responsible for recovery, storage, safekeeping, preservation or return of any lost or found item at Billy Parker Field. With that understanding, any item that has been lost or found during a game should be reported to Stadium Guest Relations located at Home Plate near Section 102/103. Found items are kept in storage after each game; therefore, if an item was lost at a previous game, it will not be obtainable
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without prior arrangements. Please call the Surprise Stadium Lost and Found Hotline at (623) 222-2300 to report a lost item. Leave a detailed description of the item, the date and location it was lost, and your name and phone number. If your item was turned in, you will be called as soon as possible. If your item was not turned in, you will not receive a call unless you specifically request one. Your name will remain on file in case the item is turned in at a later time. A simple way to protect your property is to place your name and phone number permanently somewhere on the item. Items are held for 30 days. During games, guests may inquire about lost and found items at the Stadium Operations Office. Lost Children/Persons
Merchandise Stores: There are four Sport Shops located in Surprise Stadium. The shops are located on the concourse level behind home plate, 1st base, 3rd base, and Center Field. All Sports Shops are open during all games. Parking: There are more than 1,600 parking spaces at Surprise Stadium. Surprise Stadium offers free parking to all guests. The City of Surprise is not responsible for stolen or damaged vehicles; vehicles are parked at their own risk. Accessible parking is available and located outside 3rd base gate. Pod Integrity:
Every child/persons should be told to contact a Surprise Stadium Staff Representative should he or she become lost. A lost child will be taken to the Stadium Guest Relations at Sections 102/103. Lost parents/guardians should follow the same procedure. Parents are encouraged to place tickets in children’s pockets in case of separation. Metal Detectors: As security threats continue to evolve and grow, so does the need for security solutions. As a result, the Surprise Stadium and Major League Baseball have implemented the use of walk through metal detectors at all entrances to Surprise Stadium to ensure the safety of all guests. As part of the process, guests will have to remove cell phones, cameras and other large metal objects before passing through the detectors. Guests in wheelchairs and those with medical devices that may set off the detector are subject to alternative screening methods. Guests will still be required to have their bags inspected prior to entering the stadium. 56
Tickets will be distributed in seat blocks known as “pods” to maintain distance between groups who are not known to one another. Fans are required to maintain pod integrity by only transferring tickets to family or friends within their trusted group. Each ticket holder should have their own mobile ticket on their device. All ticket holders (upon purchase) must agree to maintaining pod integrity as part of the ticket terms and conditions. Postponed Games: The right to delay the start of a game rests with the home club. Once both team managers meet with the home plate umpire and exchange line-up cards, the right to determine whether the game shall be interrupted or terminated is at the discretion of the Umpire-in-Chief and/or teams. Per the Official Playing Rules, the Umpire-in-Chief shall have sole and unquestioned authority to determine whether and when play shall be halted during a game,
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when play shall be resumed, and whether and when a game shall be terminated because of bad weather or unsafe playing conditions.
• All strollers and diaper bags must be
Profanity:
• The following items are prohibited from
Profanity will not be tolerated. Guests will be allowed to enjoy the events at Surprise Stadium free from disruptive behavior, including foul, abusive, discriminatory, obscene or threatening language, gestures or actions. More specifically, Surprise Stadium explicitly prohibits such language and behavior that are based on characteristics including, but not limited to, gender, sexual orientation, gender identification, age, race, national origin, religion, military status, disability status or any other characteristic.
• Surprise Stadium has instituted a No
Practice Fields and Accessibility: For the 2021 spring training season, practice fields will not be open to the public. Prohibited Items: In order to provide a safe and enjoyable atmosphere for our guests, the following will be enforced: • Smoking is not allowed inside any area
• •
•
•
of the stadium (per Provision Chapters 9.29.404/9.29.050). Firearms or deadly weapons are prohibited. Resale of any tickets within 200 feet of any public entrance is prohibited (ARS 13-3718). Animals are not permitted, with the exception of certified service animals for guests with disabilities. No one is allowed on the field of play without proper credentials; such action will result in automatic ejection and subject to arrest.
accompanied by a child.
• Gates will open approximately 1 ½ hours
prior to event time.
being brought into the stadium:
• • • •
•
Bags Policy, with the limited exception of medical bags and manufactured diaper bags for fans accompanying young children, as well as a personal clutch (5 in. x 8 in.) that may be visually inspected. Guests who arrive at the venue with these items will be asked to return them to their car. No coolers, ice chests, thermoses, glass or metal containers. No lawn or legged chairs. No alcoholic beverages. All items being brought into the stadium must be able to fit under a standard stadium seat, and are subject to search and inspection. Beware of Objects Leaving the Playing Field!
Protective Netting: Providing baseball fans with a variety of seating options when they come to the ballpark, including seats behind protective netting, is very important to the Surprise Stadium. The protective netting extends from Sections 101-120. Rain Delay: The right to delay the start of a game rests with the home club. Once both team managers meet with the home plate umpire and exchange lineup cards, the right to determine whether the game shall be interrupted or terminated is at the discretion of the Umpire-in-Chief and/or teams. Per the Official Playing Rules, the Umpire-inChief shall have sole and unquestioned authority
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to determine whether and when play shall be halted during a game, when play shall be resumed, and whether and when a game shall be terminated because of bad weather or unsafe playing conditions. Rain Out Policy: There are no refunds or exchanges unless an official game is not played. In the event that 5 innings of one game are not played, except when the home team is in the lead at the end of 4 innings, the following policy will apply: Exchanges due to an official game cancellation: All paid tickets purchased through an authorized Surprise Stadium outlet, may be exchanged at the box office only for any future 2021 Spring Training Game at Surprise Stadium for the same home team. Exchanges are subject to seat availability on a game by game basis. Complimentary tickets may not be exchanged under any circumstances. If a game for which you purchased tickets is cancelled, rescheduled, postponed or has restricted capacity that prohibits the specific seats you purchased from being used, the ticket value of the impacted game(s) will be refunded in the same manner by which the ticket(s) were purchased. Except as expressly stated herein, all sales are final and there are no refunds. Refund excludes service and delivery fees. Complimentary tickets may not be refunded or exchanged under any circumstances.
Recycling: Recycling will help keep Surprise Stadium clean and green. Please pitch in! Here’s how: To make recycling convenient for baseball fans, blue recycling containers are located throughout The Surprise Stadium including concourses, concession areas, and restrooms as well as the parking lot areas. Recyclable materials, including paper products or plastic cans/bottles, are to be placed in one of two dual stream containers. Remember to look for the recycling symbol on containers to ensure that recyclables are not going into trash cans and ultimately the Community’s waste stream. Re-entry: During games, Guests are permitted to leave the ballpark and return through any of the three entrance gates. Please see the Ticket Gate Supervisor to have both your ticket and hand stamped. When returning to the ballpark, Guests must show their ticket and hand stamp, and should re-enter through the special passout gates at each entrance. (Please see Gates for a list of gate locations.) Guests will be required to go through the same security procedures as when they originally entered the ballpark. All persons and bags are subject to search. Refunds/Exchanges: There are no refunds or exchanges unless an official game is not played. Scoreboard Messages: Add a little more “Surprise” to your special occasion by adding a special message displayed on the Surprise Stadium Score Board. For a $50.00 fee, a guest message will be shown in the middle of the 6th inning. To reserve your special message today, contact the Surprise Stadium Box Office at 623.222.2222.
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Social Distancing Fans are required to follow all physical distancing markers displayed throughout Surprise Stadium. These markers will help everyone line up for security screenings, restrooms and concessions. Please be respectful of others and their space. Ruben’s Row Service Animals: The Surprise Stadium, in honor of Mark A. Coronado and his father, we have been able to share the experience of our traditions through the Ruben’s Row seating program. Mark A. Coronado, was a remarkable leader recognized for his commitment and dedication to the residents of Surprise. Serving as Community and Recreation Services Director from 2000 until his death in 2018, Mark A. Coronado through his determination made a tremendous impact towards the progressive recreational development in the City of Surprise. In his formative years, Mark developed his passion for playing the game he loved, the game that would define his legacy, baseball. Early in his parks and recreation career he gained the experience and momentum necessary to begin work towards making the dream of the Surprise Recreation Campus a reality. Shortly thereafter, Surprise, Arizona became a baseball fan destination through his efforts in bringing the Texas Rangers and the Kansas City Royals to their new spring training development home in Surprise. His vision will live on through the City of Surprise and its community traditions. Seating Policy: Guests should sit only in the seats for which they hold valid tickets. At any time guests may be asked to show their digital ticket or ticket stub if there is confusion over a specific seat.
Animals are not permitted within Surprise Stadium with the exception of trained service animals or service animals in training. Smoking: Smoking and vaping are not permitted in any areas inside Surprise Stadium. A smoking area outside the ballpark will be designated. (per Provision Chapters 9.29.404/9.29.050). Guests who wish to smoke must exit the stadium through either the first base, third base or centerfield locations. All re-entry procedures will be enforced. Staff Protocols and Procedures: All staff members will be directed to wear masks throughout their shift. Staff members will be directed to routinely wash their hands with soap and water as the preferred hygiene method, but when unavailable will use hand sanitizer. Staff members will be directed to socially distance at all times when it is practical in connection with the conduct of their duties Surprise Sundancers Volunteer Wheelchair Guest Services will be available with physical modification to the wheelchair to create physical barrier between volunteer and guest.
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Tailgating: Tailgating in any parking lot must be limited to the area directly in front of or behind the vehicle and may not obstruct the right of way of traffic. Persons may not consume alcohol in the parking lots, including inside their vehicles. Charcoal grills are prohibited. Sundancers:
Throwing Objects:
The Surprise Stadium is excited to team up with the Surprise Sundancers, the official spring training volunteer organization of the Kansas City Royals, Texas Rangers and City of Surprise. The Sundancers are a registered 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization that currently consists of over 750 members who provide volunteer services at the Surprise Stadium and other City Special Events. As a non-profit volunteer organization, the Surprise Sundancers raise charitable donations and receive contributions to support greater Surprise/Northwest Valley youth-related programs and projects, including the award winning Dream Catcher Park.
Guests will not engage in fighting, taunting, throwing objects, attempting to enter any competition surface or field of play or other conduct that will disrupt the competition. Those who engage in any of these actions will immediately be ejected from the event.
50/50 raffle tickets are sold during each game and drawing is held at the middle of the 8th inning to determine which lucky fans gets to split the total jackpot for that game with the Surprise Sundancers. For more information about the Sundancers visit www.surprisesundancers.org Surprise Stadium Concourse Hall of Fame: As one of our most distinguishable stadium feature, the love for the game is prevalent with quotes from Babe Ruth, George Will, Bob Lemon, Bryant Gumbel, Red Smith and Humphrey Bogart. The lower deck concourse also features plaques commemorating the Rangers’ and Royals’ greatest players and managers as well as local community heroes. 60
Tickets & Entry: The Surprise Stadium is striving towards providing the safest Spring Training experience possible, so we have implemented a touchless ticketing process for the 2021 season. Tickets printed from home or digital tickets from an attendee’s mobile phone will be scanned at entry. Tickets are distributed in groups of two, four and six called “pods” this season. Pods are designed to give fans control over social distancing while seated in the seating bowl. There is no social distancing among fans seated together in a pod, but every fan will have at least six feet of social distance from every fan in every other pod. We recommend that pods consist of immediate family members with whom you have been sheltering or others with whom you are comfortable not maintaining a social distance. During the 2021 season, box office transactions will be cashless. Accepted forms of payment at the box office include: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover.
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All ticket holders (upon purchase) must agree to maintaining pod integrity as part of the ticket terms and conditions. Ticket Office Hours: Game day ticket office hours are 9:00 a.m. until 30 minutes after the end of the ball game.
Videoboard: Surprise Stadium Videoboard is located in Left-Center Field. For any special group and/ or birthday announcements, please contact Surprise Stadium Box Office 24 hours in advance. Weapons:
Ticket Resale: Resale of any ticket(s) within 200 feet of any public entrance is prohibited (A.R.S. § 133718). For tickets purchased via StubHub or another reseller, please refer to the help section of the site from which you purchased your tickets for details pertaining to postponed, rescheduled or cancelled events. Surprise Stadium is not responsible for and will not provide any refunds or exchanges of any ticket purchased via StubHub or any other secondary market reseller. Any questions regarding tickets purchased via StubHub for a postponed, rescheduled or cancelled event should be directed to StubHub Customer Service at customerservice@stubhub.com. Umbrellas: Guests may bring small umbrellas under 42” in diameter into the stadium and practice fields as long as they do not interfere with other guests’ view or enjoyment of the game.
Firearms or weapons are prohibited from entering the stadium. For guest wishing to store a weapon outside the gates a limited number of gun safes are available at each entrance. Off duty law enforcement agents must declare their weapon at security check points and check in with on-site law enforcement security. (A.R.S. § 13-3102(A) (10)). Will Call: Will Call will open two hours prior to game time. All will call game tickets may be picked up at the Surprise Stadium main ticket office located at the centerfield ticket office. Proper photo identification is required. Player Will Call is located at the Centerfield Box Office. Will Call orders may be picked up any time the Box Office is open.
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SA AN ND DE ER RS SO ON N LL II N NC CO O LL N N S