If you spend any time in Phoenix during the summer, you’ll quickly realize that the desert ambiance that was so welcoming for spring training in March has become quite tedious by the beginning of June, when it’s simply too hot to be outside. Air conditioning is, at the end of the day, possibly America’s greatest contribution to the globe. Chase Field is also a sanctuary thanks to the air conditioning.
FAST FACTS
401 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix (Directions). On a map of downtown Phoenix, Chase Field is bordered on the east by 7th Street, the west by 4th Street, the north by Jefferson Street, and the south by the Southern Pacific Railroad tracks. Both I-10 and I-17 allow access to downtown Phoenix: exit I-10 at 7th Street and turn south, or exit I-17 at 7th Street and turn north. There are other alternate routes marked by freeway signs that lead to the ballpark via Washington Street (which runs parallel to Jefferson Street). On busy nights, the Diamondbacks advise avoiding taking the 7th Street exit.
If you spend any time in Phoenix during the summer, you’ll quickly realize that the desert ambiance that was so welcoming for spring training in March has become quite tedious by the beginning of June, when it’s simply too hot to be outside.
Air conditioning is, at the end of the day, possibly America’s greatest contribution to the globe. Chase Field is also a sanctuary thanks to the air conditioning. Yes, true Phoenix residents aren’t afraid to be outside in the heat of summer, but it doesn’t imply they’re eager to spend three hours outside on an August evening. Without an air-conditioned ballpark like Chase Field, major-league baseball could not survive in Phoenix, which is wonderful news for the rest of us.
Chase Field was designed for comfort rather than flashiness, by people who wanted to solve a lot of problems but didn’t have the energy to deal with minor details like adornment. To put it another way, Chase Field appears to have been designed by engineers rather than architects. Not that this is a bad thing: overcoming the numerous hurdles of bringing major-league baseball to the Valley of the Sun required a great deal of engineering.
Chase Surface is the first major-league stadium to have a retractable roof, air conditioning, and a grass playing field. (The original Astrodome design featured natural grass beneath a translucent roof, but the experiment failed miserably because the roof did not allow enough sunlight to get through.) As a result, Astroturf was born.) The air-conditioning system provides 8,000 tons of cooling and takes roughly four hours to chill the stands and concourses from 110 degrees to 72 degrees (the playing field is not cooled).
At the ballpark, that isn’t the only engineering accomplishment. It’s difficult enough to grow great grass in Arizona during the summer, especially when it’s mostly shaded. Even when the roof was opened during the day to allow in sunlight, it took the grounds team a few months to find the perfect grassto handle the blazing sun and the extremes between hot days and cool nightsin this case, a blend of Bull’s Eye Bermuda, Kentucky blue grass, and rye grass. (When incandescent growth lights are utilized, sections of turf that don’t get enough sun get their own particular treatment.) Since then, Seattle and Houston have integrated a retractable roof with natural grass with great success.
Chase Field defies expectations in numerous ways. It’s only a few feet higher than Turner Field (which sits a stunning 1,050 feet above sea level), but it plays nothing like Coors Field when it comes to the long ball. Phoenix is in the desert, but there’s nothing in the ballpark that resembles a Western or Southwestern theme. The majority of the ballpark is basic, to say the least, but there is a pool in center field suited for groups of 35 or more; the Diamondbacks were criticized for the pool when it was created, but it has since become a distinctive feature for the ballpark.
In fact, the entire ballpark is a touch boring, but not in a bad way. It’s designed for comfort, not flash, as we’ve already stated. The faade is your normal vintage brick and steel, which, no matter how much the team and stadium designers pretend it fits into Phoenix’s old warehouse district, looks out of place in the Valley of the Sun. (On the south side of the ballpark, an old warehouse was incorporated into the facade.) When you think about Phoenix architecture, you think of these lovely, low-slung structures that are shaded and cool because they are meant to fit with the desert environment. You think of the Biltmore, Taliesin West, modern (as in the spruced-up faade of next-door America West Arena), the Heard Museum, and the Wild West when you think of the Biltmore. You don’t consider a ballpark to be retro.
Chase Field is unlikely to ever be considered a classic ballpark: it’s a little simple, with a focus on utility rather than form. It is, however, a pleasant ballpark that is well worth a visit if you are in the Phoenix region.
It’s impossible to hurl a dead cat at Chase Field without hitting a concession stand. Even by major-league standards, the food is costly. For example, the Oscar Meyer quarter-pound Diamondbacks Dogs cost $4.75, and most baseball fans won’t be disappointed with the traditional stadium fare. Fresh munchies (vegetable and cheese trays) and grilled-to-order sausages and brats are available at smaller stands encircling the concourse. Check out the concession stalls near sections 130 and 325 for a change of pace “For each series, a Visiting Team Special, like as a Dodger Dog, is added to the menu.
If stadium food doesn’t appeal to you, third-party vendors such as McDonald’s (home of the $3 Big Mac), Desert Ice, Blimpie’s, Little Caesar’s, Garcia’s (a local Mexican cuisine), and Ben & Jerry’s have set up shop at Chase Field.
At Chase Field, the beer is plentiful. MGD, Miller Lite, or Bud Light are available on draft at most concession stands ($4 for a small beer, $7 for a large), with Fat Tire beer, a microbrewed beer from Fort Collins, Colorado, available at a select outlets (of all places). Budweiser, Coors, and Sonora (made by a Phoenix microbrewery) beers are available on tap at a variety of other beer outlets. The same beer stands also sell bottled beers ($4.75 for bottles, $8 for cans) “Rolling Rock, Sam Adams, Corona, Fat Tire, Beck’s, Beck’s Dark, Heineken, and Foster’s are among the bombers. Wine, mixed drinks, and slush cocktails are among the alcoholic beverages available at Chase Field (frozen margaritas, strawberry daiquiris).
Within the ballpark, there are two eateries. The Arizona Baseball Club Restaurant features a buffet with white tablecloths and chairs overlooking right field play. Only suiteholders and club-level ticket holders are permitted to attend. The spread was quite lavish during our visit (you could easily spend several innings sampling the meal), and the pricing is reasonable: $27.95. Friday’s Front Row Sports Grill is in the left-field corner; there are no table linens, and the food isn’t as elegant.
Families are required to visit the play area beyond the center-field scoreboard. Your children will be exhausted by a miniature diamond where they may run about and play to their hearts’ content, as well as examine the residence of Baxter, the Diamondbacks’ friendly mascot. Baxter’s Den includes Baxter’s family photos, as well as explanations about his family and team background. Yes, it’s a touch corny, but the kids like Baxter, who visits his lair frequently throughout the fourth and fifth innings. Interactive video games, a batting cage, and skeet ball are also available at the Peter Piper Playhouse.
Near the ballpark, parking is not an issue. Within blocks of the airport, there are 30,000 parking places, and you can easily get anything for $10 or less. On Fourth Street, there is a 1,500-car ramp linked to the ballpark (a skyway connects the ramp to the suite level of Chase Field), as well as a parking lot right south of the ramp; both are $8. The Civic Plaza East Garage (across the street from the ballpark, on Washington and 5th Street) is one of the more expensive downtown spaces at $8, although it, like the adjoining garage on the field’s south side, allows you to park in the shade. Otherwise, there are a bevy of surface lots along Jackson Street to the west of the ballpark.
Several attempts to seed professional baseball in the Southwest, such as the Class C Arizona-Mexico League, have been made since the turn of the century, but none have been successful on a sustained basis.
When the Giants relocated their AAA Minneapolis Millers club to Phoenix in 1958, it became the first truly successful professional baseball franchise in the Phoenix area. The Phoenix Giants used to play at Municipal Stadium, which was located on the outskirts of town.
The P-Gees’ demise was precipitated by the Giants’ decision to relocate the franchise to Tacoma after finding that Municipal Stadium was too far out of town to draw enough spectators. Phoenix built a new Municipal Stadium in response, ostensibly to entice the Giants back to town for spring training. It worked, and the Giants decided to return the AAA franchise to Phoenix.
The Phoenix Giants were the team’s name until 1986, when it was renamed the Phoenix Firebirds. When the Diamondbacks arrived in town, the franchise was relocated.
What is the cost of renting the pool at Chase Field?
The pool is still a draw nearly two decades later. The pool suite sells out for every game, including the upcoming wild-card playoff game, despite a starting price of $4,750.
It’s also become a part of Diamondbacks lore, having outlived its novelty. Team members jumped into the pool when this year’s team secured a post-season berth, continuing a tradition started by the 2011 team.
The dip also served to purify the waters of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who dared to enter after winning the division pennant in 2013.
What makes Chase Field special?
The Northwinds cooling system, which was built to cool off the densely packed facilities in Downtown Phoenix in 2001, is used to keep the building cool. The system cools the ballpark faster than the previous air conditioning system, allowing the roof to stay open longer during the day.
Is there air conditioning at Chase Field?
It was opened in 1998 in the scorching heat of Phoenix, Arizona. The stadium was intended and constructed to be totally air conditioned. It’s fully air-conditioned, which means it works even when the roof is open. Chase is now the only ballpark with a retractable roof that offers this functionality.
What MLB team has an outfield pool?
Fans were able to marvel at Chase Field, a modern structure of baseball extravagance, during this year’s All-Star Game.
The Arizona Diamondbacks’ stadium contains a swimming pool beyond the right-field fence, which is a very unique feature.
How many stadiums can offer pool-side seats, in case anyone questions this choice?
While it may not be as visually stunning as those in other ballparks, the cool scene must be appealing on hot summer days when fans stare down on the opulent combo of ballgame and backstroke.
Is it possible for the Diamondbacks to depart Chase Field?
During the 2018 season, the most recent year for which public finance figures are available, the ballclub generated $73.4 million in such ballpark-related sales.
“In an exclusive interview, Derrick Hall, the club’s president, said, “I’m not sure we’re going to, but it’s sure wonderful to know we can.” “If we stayed downtown, we were searching for financial options for rehabilitation and development. I didn’t have many options for where to stay in this town. As you are aware, we do not receive any government money.
The measure establishes a theme park district on the 20-acre Chase Field site, where the D-backs have played since their inception in 1998. According to the statute, any bonds issued by the district board would bind the franchise to downtown Phoenix until the debt is paid off.
Historically, 30-year public bond offerings have been issued at interest rates far lower than what a private organization like a Major League Baseball team could receive from a bank on its own.
“It gives the opportunity to levy a tax on anything and everything baseball, according to Hall. “On the one hand, it’s fantastic because it’s not funded by the general public or taxpayers. However, we will put a strain on our most ardent supporters and clients. We’ve been given the ability to borrow money at low interest rates and pay off the loan with taxes we’d be paying on ourselves and our followers.
“We’ve been looking for a way to stay here for quite some time. The history fascinates us. We adore the structure. Downtown is one of our favorite places. It will just continue to expand.
The D-backs have a lease at Chase Field that runs through the 2027 season, but they have the option to leave earlier thanks to a 2018 settlement of a lawsuit against the county over who was responsible for paying for critical facilities upkeep and upgrades. According to Hall, the D-backs have identified around $200 million in improvements and have upgraded some of the infrastructural elements.
In exchange, the D-backs took over the stadium’s management and, as Hall explained, began renovating it “kicking the tires elsewhere in the area, even hearing enquiries from Las Vegas investors looking for funding for a new retractable-roof stadium with a seating capacity of around 38,000. At the time, MLB stated that the team would not be leaving the county.
What is the cost of a suite at Chase Field?
The Arizona Diamondbacks play at Chase Field, which is located in the center of Phoenix, Arizona. Throughout the year, this stadium hosts a variety of sporting and entertainment events. SuiteHop has the expertise and exclusive access needed to purchase private suites at Chase Field for certain games or events. Attending a Diamondbacks game or other special occasion from a private suite is a magnificent and convenient way for you and your guests to experience the Suite Life. There’s no need to rush to your sets, and there’s no need to leave your Chase Field suite to obtain food and drinks; it can all be done directly from your suite.
How much do suites cost at Chase Field?
The cost of Chase Field suites vary depending on the matchup and the stadium’s location. Private suites are available for all home games and events, and prices start at $2,500 and go up to $8,000.
VIP parking passes are offered, as well as all-inclusive food and beverage packages, inside and external seating, a lounge area, and concierge services.
The Diamondbacks have a pool for a reason.
The Diamondbacks installed a swimming pool as another differentiating element to help kick-off a brand new stadium with a new expansion team. Aside from cheering on the spectators, participants use the pool for a variety of purposes. It’s used by some players to unwind after a game, while others use it to celebrate major wins.
Is there a lazy river at a baseball stadium?
Baseball is one of the most popular sports in the United States. It can be difficult to decide whether to go to the pool or to the game – but now you don’t have to. Dr. Pepper Ballpark in Frisco has a lazy river where you may relax while watching the Frisco Roughriders play. The 3,000-square-foot river provides guests with panoramic views of the whole park, ensuring that no detail is overlooked.
There is plenty of room to float around and watch the game in the lazy river, which can accommodate up to 200 people. For two and a half hours, you can eat as much as you want of hot dogs, chips, and peanuts. On Thursdays, you can also get $1 beers. In Texas, this is the only baseball park with a lazy river. During the summer, there are a select times when you can get access to the lazy river and the game by attending a large party at The Yard, and tickets are only $10. The celebration is for anyone aged 21 and up, and there will be music, drink deals, and plenty of food.
At the river, tubes will be provided for you, so you won’t have to bother about bringing your own. Outside alcohol and food are not permitted, and you must have your own swimsuit.
Is walking to Chase Field safe?
Yes, it’s a 10-minute walk. When leaving Chase Field, there are always a lot of people around. more than a year ago Yes, it’s accessible, well-lit, and secure.
Is the roof at Chase Field closed?
PHOENIXAs the 2022 MLB season begins, cable concerns will limit the number of times the roof at Chase Field will be opened for Arizona Diamondbacks games.
During a recent examination, the team noticed problems with the wires that help lift and close the roof.
Because of the problems, the stadium roof will not be able to open or close while supporters are inside. During nighttime games, the roof will not be able to be opened after the sun sets, as it has in the past.
That means the team will have to determine whether or not to open the roof during the game earlier in the day. Some of the considerations will include the summer heat and other meteorological conditions.
When the D-backs take on the San Diego Padres on Opening Day, the roof is scheduled to be open.
Summer heat and other conditions could require the roof to close on evenings when fireworks are scheduled, such as July 4, although no formal decisions have been made yet.
The deteriorating cables are just one of many repairs that Chase Field requires.
Governor Doug Ducey approved a bill last year that, among other things, establishes “theme park districts” for venues like Chase Field.
It enables the Diamondbacks to borrow money by issuing government bonds, which are subsequently repaid by taxing certain items within the district, including as those found within the ballpark.
The crew is working on a plan to repair the wires during the season, but it’s unlikely that repairs will be possible until after the 2022 season.