It's a retirement community on the outskirts of the Phoenix area with golf courses on seemingly every block and more golf carts than cars buzzing around. But Surprise, Ariz., also boasts a beautiful baseball complex shared by the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals. Both teams call it home every February and March for spring training. It's an easily accessible area for fans to watch players practice on the backfields or catch a game at Surprise Stadium, which holds 10,714.
Where to eatFuzzy's Sports Grill, 18795 N. Reems Road: You can't go wrong with the reuben or prime-rib sliders.Babbo Italian Eatery, 15609 W. Bell Road: A tasty Italian restaurant with several pasta dishes and pizza.Las Cazuelas Mexican Food, 16551 N. Dysart Road: It might not look like much on the outside, but this is a gem for Mexican food.Where to stayResidence Inn, 16418 N. Bullard Ave.: Within walking distance of the Rangers' complex and close to several restaurants.Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, 16540 N. Bullard Ave.: Next door to the Residence Inn, and is in a great location for all things Rangers.Glendale Sports and Entertainment District: There are a few hotels near where the Arizona Cardinals and Phoenix Coyotes play in Glendale, which is built around the entertainment district. It's about a 25-minute drive to Surprise, but it is in a location that is easy to get to.Non-baseball activitiesSurprise Aquatics Center: A relaxing pool area close to the Rangers' complex with enough water slides and activities for a family to spend a day together. It's not a water park by any stretch of the imagination, and it costs $5 a day.Golf: There are several golf courses throughout the Surprise area. Granite Falls Golf Club (15949 W. Clearview Blvd.) was designed by three-time major winner Billy Casper and Greg Nash. For avid golfers, a trip out to the Troon North Golf Club (10320 E. Dynamite Blvd., Scottsdale, Ariz.) would be worthwhile. It features two 18-hole courses and is considered among the best courses in the Southwest.White Tank Mountain Regional Park in Waddell, Ariz.: About 25 minutes southwest of Surprise, this has several outdoor activities to enjoy, including hiking and biking trails and horseback riding.Ticket informationRangers tickets are priced $8 to $27, and can be purchased online at texasrangers.com, by calling 972-726-4377 or at the Surprise Stadium box office. Away games are priced similarly, and can be purchased at the stadium's box office or through the home team's official website.This and thatSurprise is about a 45- to 55-minute drive from the airport. There is no easy public transportation, so a rental car is needed.... Old Town Scottsdale, a popular destination, is about a 50-minute drive from Surprise, as is Tempe, home of Arizona State University.... For autographs, players are most easily accessible on the backfields of the training complex. Players are not required to stay around for the entirety of games once they are pulled out.Drew Davison, 817-390-7760Twitter: @drewdavison
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