Visit Round Rock's Dell Diamond
Welcome to Round Rock's Dell Diamond, where Nolan Ryan's influence looms large. Take real swings in a virtual setting, hobnob with a train-loving dog and enjoy the famous grilled cheese hot dog in an outfield rocker.
Round Rock Express (Triple-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers since 2015)
Established: 2000
Ballpark: Dell Diamond (opened 2000)
League: Pacific Coast League
Notable Alumni: Hunter Pence, Roy Oswalt, Yordan Alvarez, Kyle Tucker, Joey Gallo, Josh Jung
Championships: 2000 (in the Texas League)
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The Round Rock Express, located just north of Austin, Texas, were members of the Double-A Texas League from 2000-04. Following that season, the Double-A team relocated to Corpus Christi, Texas, and became the Hooks. In a corresponding move, the Triple-A Edmonton Trappers moved to Round Rock and assumed the Express moniker. Ryan Sanders Sports & Entertainment owns the Express and operates as co-owners of the San Antonio Missions (Double-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres); the "Ryan" part of that equation includes Hall of Fame flamethrower Nolan Ryan and his son, Reid. The team's Express moniker is an homage to Nolan's "The Ryan Express" nickname.
For the entirety of their existence, the Express have alternated affiliations between Texas' two Major League teams. They were aligned with the Houston Astros from 2000-10, the Texas Rangers from 2011-18 and the Astros in 2019 and 2020. The Express entered into a 10-year affiliation with the Rangers prior to the 2021 campaign.
Dell Diamond
Google Maps
Round Rock Express roster
Round Rock Express schedule
3400 East Palm Valley Boulevard
Round Rock, Texas 78665
(512) 255-2255
Capacity: 11,631
Dimensions: left field, 335 feet; center field, 400 feet; right field, 325 feet
When the Express played their inaugural season in 2000, Round Rock's population was approximately 60,000. It has since doubled and then some. This growth is indicative of a larger population explosion, as the 2024 census estimated the Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown metropolitan statistical area has increased to more than 2,500,000 people. Dell Diamond, located on what used to be farm land, is convenient but not particularly scenic. It is located off State Route 79, in close proximity to the nation-spanning north-south behemoth that is I-35.
Features
It's easy to say something is "Texas-size" when talking about something in Texas, but in the case of Dell Diamond, it's true. This is a ballpark with plenty of room to move, via a 360-degree concourse that is particularly expansive on the right-field side of the park. Moving toward center from the foul pole, one will find spacious lawn seating and three special attractions: Home Run Dugout, Bullpen Bar and Tom Foolery’s Backyard presented by Kalahari.
The fun that can be had at Tom Foolery’s can't be found at many, or perhaps any, other ballparks. It includes a rock-climbing wall and a giant train-themed playground.
As for the aforementioned Home Run Dugout, it's one of the most unique group areas in Minor League Baseball. Included are two video bays equipped with a soft toss pitching machine. Participants can hit against a variety of ballpark backdrops, with key stats such as distance, velocity and launch angle displayed on the screen. The Bullpen Bar, in collaboration with Home Run Dugout, offers full bar and kitchen services. Home Run Dugout can be booked for group outings during Round Rock Express games.
Concessions
Dell Diamond's food and beverage are managed in-house by the RS3 Hospitality. The concourse is ringed with uniquely branded food and drink areas, ranging from ballpark staples (see the loaded nachos, pictured above) to local specialties.
The Beer Garden, near the left-field foul pole, offers a wide variety of local craft beers. Find the Express' famed Grilled Cheese Hot Dogs at Saucy Bird, and Southside Market and Barbeque (based in the area) sells Texas-style BBQ with all the fixins.
Mascot
Spike, an erstwhile railroad worker who hopped off a Union Pacific boxcar and made his home at Dell Diamond, is a giant dog. Known for leading late-inning rallies and teaching fans to dance on top of the dugout, Spike loves to have fun, and fun is what you'll likely have if you're anywhere near the vicinity of this overall-wearing canine.
Local Attractions
When in Round Rock, why not check out the round rock for which the city is named? It's located near Chisolm Trail Street, in the middle of Brushy Creek. A corresponding historical plaque notes that it "marked an important low-water wagon crossing" for early settlers traversing the region, and ruts made by wagon wheels are still visible in the limestone creek bed.
Even closer to the ballpark is a massive Kalahari Resorts, advertised as "America's largest indoor waterpark." It's located across the street from Dell Diamond, on what used to be farmland.
Round Rock is bordered by Austin to the south, and that self-consciously "weird" city offers plenty of things to do. Go kayaking! Ogle bats! Visit the state capitol building! While away the day at vintage stores, book stores and record stores! Channel your inner McConaughey by visiting the shopping center where portions of Dazed and Confused were filmed! And so on and so forth.
There are also numerous other professional sports teams in the area, from the Austin Spurs of the NBA G League to Austin's League One Volleyball team and beyond.
Food and Drink
If you want barbecue, you'll find it. One esteemed place to get it is Stiles Switch, located in the Violet Crown Shopping Center (yes, the very same shopping center where Dazed and Confused was filmed). There is also an outpost of Salt Lick Bar-B-Q in very close proximity to the ballpark.
Matt’s El Rancho in Austin is one of the area's most popular Tex Mex spots. Famous for its hand-shaken margaritas, sizzling fajitas and the iconic Bob Armstrong Dip, Matt’s El Rancho has been in operation since 1952.
Where to Stay
There are innumerable places to rest your head in the area, of course. Rooms will generally run a little cheaper in Round Rock than in Austin proper. There's an abundance of options along I-35, just minutes from Dell Diamond.
Moving On
The Round Rock Express are one of seven Minor League teams in the state of Texas. It would require a lot of driving -- and fortuitous schedule alignment -- but all of them could be visited in a week's time. Suggested itinerary: Amarillo to Midland to Frisco to San Antonio to Corpus Christi to Round Rock to Sugar Land. Or vice-versa.
The Road to Arlington
The four teams in the Texas Rangers' system are split between two regions. The Express and Double-A Frisco RoughRiders make their home in the Lone Star State, while the Single-A Hickory Crawdads and High-A Hub City Spartanburgers call the Carolinas home.
Single-A: Hickory Crawdads (Hickory, N.C.)
High-A: Hub City Spartanburgers (Spartanburg, S.C.)
Double-A: Frisco RoughRiders (Frisco, Texas)
Triple-A: Round Rock Express (Round Rock, Texas)
