2 “Let’s Play Ball.” Spring Training in Surprise has finally arrived. Here’s everything you need to know — from the preseason warm-up, to Welcome to Surprise parking, to the PA Progress. Surprise personality. Progress is published by the City of Surprise Public Information Office and distributed to all City residents via mail. It includes an insert from the Dysart School District that is intended to inform residents about Vote March 11. Mayor Joan Shafer and what is going on in the A CITY ON THE MOVE . VOLUME 3 NO. 1 February 2003 6 two incumbent council members face a total school district. We hope of six challengers, while newcomer Martha you like our format and Bails is running uncontested in her bid for a content. We’d like to council seat. Voters will also consider the hear from you about Home Rule Option. Surprise Progress. Please call or e-mail us. Meet the “First Lady” of Elections. 7 City Clerk Sherry Aguilar goes the distance to ensure a smooth-running election. CITY OF SURPRISE Public Information Office: T: 623.583.4840 Dave Reuter, Get a move on. From Teddy Bear Tea Time Public Information Officer 8 to T’ai Chi, there’s plenty to do and learn at the E: [email protected] Surprise Recreation Campus. Sign up for classes today! DYSART UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT Community Relations Office: T: 623.876.7169 E: [email protected] surprise the road to spring We all know about Cinderella snagging her prince; the Spokane. In March 2000, Pupo and Bobby Brett met for a farewell underdog tortoise beating out the hare, and now there’s the meal before Pupo headed to his new job and it was there the idea of a fairy tale story of Spring Training in Surprise: How Cactus League team in Surprise was born. the once-sleepy square mile farming community successfully Pupo knew it was a long shot. courted two teams away from their Florida training spots, "I figured there was less than a 1 and landed $32 million in public funding to build a $48.3 percent chance that we would succeed,” he said. Brett helped to set up million Cactus League Spring Training facility. a meeting with the teams and the City scrambled to produce a video presentation, "Let’s Play Ball." It’s a story of the right people at the right place at the In October, right time … It worked. Surprise announced plans to build a multi- use Cactus League sports facility that would serve as a spring training As the world celebrated Y2K, 3,000 new homes a year were home for the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers. The Nov. 7 being built in Surprise, the first new commercial passage of Proposition 302 gave Surprise a funding source. developments were under construction, and the City was (Proposition 302 established a 1 percent hotel bed tax, and 3.25 under the direction of a new City Council and a new City percent car rental surcharge in Maricopa County to pay for the Manager, Bill Pupo. Community and Recreation Services Cardinals’ Stadium as well as Cactus League facilities.) On Dec. 12, Director Mark Coronado had come to Surprise from nearby the TSA unanimously approved Peoria to join Pupo in making recreation a top City priority. $26 million for a Cactus League facility in Surprise. Pupo, who had come to Surprise from Spokane, Meanwhile, the City Council, Pupo, Coronado and a handful of Washington, had a longtime friendship with the Brett family. others, went to work developing a plan for what has now become the The Brett name is synonymous with baseball with George crown jewel of Surprise – the Surprise Recreation Campus. Brett being a Baseball Hall of Fame inductee, and his On May 21, 2001, the City entered into an brother, Bobby, owner of three minor league teams in intergovernmental agreement with the TSA guaranteeing $26 The “voice” of the Surprise Recreation Campus The Schedule: Visit www.surpriseaz.com. Click on Jim Korey is a baseball fan from way back But it didn’t become a "Spring Training" on the home page and that makes him slightly opinionated, semi-regular "job" until and open the Ticket Brochure, or call but when the microphone clicks on, the about 10 years ago when, the Surprise Stadium box office at "Voice of the Surprise Stadium" is as one of the founding 623.594.5600. determined to deliver an unbiased, but members of the non- never dispassionate, play-by-play. profit Diamond Club at Opening Weekend: the Peoria Sports Feb. 27 – The Royals and Rangers "I can’t say what I want to say on the PA," Complex, he was drafted break-in the field with a charity game said Korey, who’s booming voice and to announce Spring Jim Korey scheduled for 1:05 p.m., followed by infectious laugh is only slightly more Training games for the the Rangers taking on the University recognizable than his signature slick, bald, San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners. of Texas Longhorns at 4:05 p.m. It’s head. Too bad Korey forgot that a reporter The Padres flew him out for a few home two games for the price of one and a was in the booth when he commented games and they’ve dangled a full-time chance to get a sneak peak at the that Dusty Baker had substituted everyone announcer carrot should he ever decide to players and the park. into the game except his own mother. A retire – an idea he’s toyed with for a good-natured call from the San Francisco couple of years. Feb. 28 – Expect a few surprises on Giants coach the next day, however, left the very first official opening day of Korey a little red-faced and tongue-tied. In the meantime, Korey is moving a few Spring Training. Trumpet player Jessie miles west to Surprise Stadium. He debuts McGuirre will play the National The Chicago native who cut his teeth on Feb. 14 as the announcer for the Coca- Anthem, the baseballs for the opening hot dogs at Wrigley Field, spent a year Cola Spring Training Classic, a college pitch will be delivered via sky divers, playing for his beloved Cubs before he baseball tournament. and everyone attending will receive a signed up for a stint in the Korean War. commemorative ticket. He won a contest to become the on-air Mark Coronado, director of Community March 1 talent for Armed Forces Radio with an off- and Recreation Services, calls him an all- – The Royals take on the the-cuff monologue. The prize was an star in the field of Spring Training PA. Oakland A’s at 1:05 p.m. with extended tour – 22 months in all. And, "Jim's distinguished voice, energy and Ranger/Royal key chains going to the from time to time, the founder and upbeat personality only compliment his first 2,000. president of Food Service Marketing Inc. knowledge and experience," he said. March 2 – The Rangers take on the and a 30 percent owner in the Phoenix Stadium Manager Jim Mallon puts it this Milwaukee Brewers at 1:05 p.m. with Roadrunners hockey team, had to pinch- way: "You always know when it’s James Chan Ho Park Bobble-heads going to hit at the microphone when his regular Earl Jones, don’t you? Well you’ll always the first 2,000. announcers couldn’t make it. know when it’s Jim Korey. 2 Spring Training Tradition Begins training in surprise million toward the nearly $48.3 million complex, and foot team clubhouses; two major league lighted fields; two signed lease agreements with the Kansas City Royals and four-field cloverleaf practice fields, two half-fields and 10 outdoor Texas Rangers for the 2003 spring training season. batting tunnels. Ceremonial "first pitches" were thrown at the site, located Also at the Surprise Recreation Campus: on the northwest corner of Greenway and Bullard roads. A lawsuit filed in September by developer John F. Long in 10,500-square-foot Surprise Aquatic Center September stopped the TSA from selling bonds, but 23,000-square-foot Surprise Regional Library Surprise continued construction using its own 13,500-square-foot Surprise Recreation Center funds. On Feb. 7, 2002, the TSA upped its commitment to 37-acre community park with five-acre urban fishing lake Surprise pledging an extra $600,000 a month (up to a total On the drawing board are the Sundancer DreamCatcher Park - an of $32 million) for every month it was unable to sell bonds athletic complex for special needs children - walking and bike trails, to pay off Surprise. lights for night games and activities, tennis courts and more. In December - just days before the Stadium’s dedication - the lawsuit was denied and the TSA was finally allowed to proceed with bond sales. See the Legends of the Game The remaining $28 million is expected before When it comes to America's favorite pastime, the 17th annual Celebration Feb. 28, the official opening day of Spring Training of Baseball covers all the bases. in Surprise. Sponsored by the Arizona Chapter of the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association (MLBPAA), the Feb. 22-23 event at the Surprise The Surprise Recreation Campus is located on nearly Recreation Campus offers fascinations for every fan: Youth Baseball Clinics, 200 acres in the heart of Surprise. The campus consists Arizona Diamondbacks Home Run Derby, autograph sessions, and a card of the 132-acre Spring Training Facility, which includes show. the 10,560-seat Surprise Stadium; two 31,000-square- The main event is the Legends Baseball Game scheduled for 2 p.m.