There's something about Surprise Stadium... something about the architecture, that absolutely screams the South. I don't know what it is... maybe the materials used or design features... I'm not an architecture enthusiast, but coming to Surprise Stadium for the first time, that this place is the Spring Training home of the Texas Rangers made total sense.
First, it appears the easiest way to get here from Sky Harbor is on 60, which is more of a major city street than a highway. Give yourself time time for traffic lights.
Free Parking. Yes, it's been mentioned in reviews ad nauseum, and for good reason. Because it's friggin FREE Parking and that's awesome! However, I would just like to say that the parking attendants are terrible. Look... there is a baseball game. Why on earth would you direct people into the library parking lot only to tell them when they're in the lot that they need to get out and go to the back of the line of cars? Sigh...
Walking into the park, it's very nice. The grassy outfield is a bit shallow, and the lack of lawn area is made worse by the builpens and the Home Run Party Deck eating into lawn space in right field. I'll admit that Salt River Fields has completely spoiled my expectations, because the main concourse, which is perfectly average for a Spring Training ballpark, seems unbearably small. The seats are on the snug and narrow side. It would also be awesome if the eating areas (which are all outside the grandstand) had sunshades. On a warm to hot day, people getting out of the sun will crowd the concourse under the grandstand. Then all the people in line for food... it's gets ridiculously crowded under there.
Food here is great. There are all the ballpark standards, including my personal favorite - bratwursts. There is also a BBQ joint on the far end of the third base line that serves some decent Q. You get your pick of Texas Smoked and Kansas City sauce. Cute.
Surprise Stadium does have a beautiful field, the food is great, and is nice place to come watch a game. But, some of the other Cactus League parks have set the bar high, and Surprise is just solidly midpack.