"In 1937, just 25 years after Arizona gained statehood, the city of Tucson built a baseball park in what was still a generally undeveloped desert town. The Tucson Lizards, an entry in the low-level Class D Arizona-Texas League, were the first team to call Randolph Municipal Baseball Park home."
The baseball park was later renamed for Hiram Steven Corbett, an Arizona State Senator and Tucson Baseball commissioner who helped bring the Cleveland Indians to Tucson. The ballpark was renovated in 1992 but ultimately lost its appeal. Tucson Electric Park Baseball hosted its first game February 27, 1998 when the Diamondbacks played the White Sox. Diamondbacks won 6-5.
Spring Training
Teams that formerly conducted spring training in Tucson:
Cleveland Indians 1947-1992
Chicago White Sox 1998-2008
Colorado Rockies 1993-2009
Arizona Diamondbacks 1998-2009
Early Days
Tucson had a number of baseball teams between 1915 and 1958, including the Tucson Old Pueblos, the Tucson Waddies, the Tucson Cowboys (several teams), the Tucson Missions and the Tucson Lizards.
Oury Park Tigers
This was an American Legion baseball team that existed during the 1930s and 1940s in Tucson. This team was from the Barrio Anita neighborhood. During the summer, on Sundays, this team played in Oury Park, Eagle Field and Riverside Park. (Only Oury Park still exists. It is near Davis school and 6th street.)
The team was formed in 1932. The team ended in 1964 when it could not find any sponsor to pay the league fees of $35 per player. Many of the Oury Park Tigers started at Tucson High and some players went on to play for the University of Arizona. The Oury Park Tigers were a major attraction. There were games that had 500 fans in the stands.
Tucson Toros
The Tucson Toros were a Triple-A minor league baseball team in the Pacific Coast League from 1969 to 1997, where they won the PCL Championship in 1991 and 1993. They were affiliated with several Major League Baseball teams over the years, most notably with the Houston Astros. They played at Hi Corbett Field.
Tucson Sidewinders
The Tucson Sidewinders began play in 1998. Previously known as the Tucson Toros, they changed their name when they became an affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. They captured the Pacific Coast League championship in 2006. Following the 2008 season, the team moved to Reno, NV. It was the first time since 1969 that Tucson was not in the Pacific Coast League, but the situation did not last long, as the Tucson Padres filled the slot in 2011. The Sidewinders played at Tucson Electric Park.
Tucson Padres
The Tucson Padres, 2011-2013, were a minor league baseball team representing Tucson, Arizona in the Pacific Coast League. They were the Triple-A affiliate for the San Diego Padres. They played at Kino Veteran's Memorial Stadium.
Tucson Saguaros
The Tucson Saguaros, opens a new window is a professional baseball team based in Tucson that began play in 2016. The club is a member of the Pecos League, an independent baseball league which is not affiliated with MLB or Minor League Baseball. The club plays at Kino Veteran's Memorial Stadium with the exception of Sunday home games, which are scheduled for Warren Ballpark in Bisbee, Arizona.
Sources:
"Hi Corbett Field in Tucson - Colorado Rockies Spring Training, opens a new window." Baseball Pilgrimages Major and Minor League Ballpark Roadtrips.
"Padres' Triple-A team could play more than one season in Tucson." Arizona Daily Star. November 4, 2010.
"Tucson Padres Officially Named." Arizona Daily Star. December 19, 2010.
"Teams ink deal to leave Tucson." Arizona Daily Star. July 17, 2009. Page 1.
“History comes alive Barrio Anita book project educates all.” Arizona Daily Star. July 27, 1999. Page B1.
Telephone call to the Pima County Sports Hall Of Fame, opens a new window on 04/06/2004.
Una Familia Unida. Walking Through Barrio Anita’s History. Tucson, Ariz. : Barrio Anita Neighborhood Assn., c 2001.
Tucson Sidewinders, opens a new window | Baseball Reference.com
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