Description: Arizona is no stranger when it comes to baseball. From as far back as 1929 starting with the Detroit Tigers, the Phoenix metro area has been home to spring training camp for many teams. Today, the league is now split into the Grapefruit and Cactus League, which trains in Florida and Arizona, respectively. The suburbs of Phoenix are dotted with stadiums and sports complexes in which fifteen teams call home for a short time leading up to Opening Day.
It was no surprise that when Major League Baseball decided to add two new teams to the league in 1998, that the Arizona Diamondbacks was one of them. The Diamondbacks wasted no time and in four short years, they put together a team which eventually won the World Series. They have followed it up with three more National League West titles, most recently in 2011.
The Diamondbacks play their games at Chase Field. Located in downtown Phoenix, it sits directly across from the US Airways Center, home of the NBA’s Phoenix Suns. I debated long and hard about the best way to get to the stadium. Like most major cities, Phoenix has a light rail system, which has a stop right outside the stadium. There is also the D-Express, a luxury bus that picks up fans at the Foothills Mall in Tucson and shuttles them to the game. But instead, I opted to park downtown knowing the outrageous parking fees I would have to shell out. As I got closer to the stadium, I pulled into a parking garage and to my disbelief; game day parking was only $5. The best part of it was that I was a block from the stadium. This was truly one of the cheapest parking rates that I have ever paid for a baseball game.
As we got to the stadium, the temperature was just hovering around 100 degrees, but once inside, the temperature made you want a coat. That is because the stadium has a massive HVAC system which lowers the temperature inside about thirty degrees. Because of the oppressive heat that is common in Phoenix, the stadium has a retractable roof that can be opened depending on the temperature. Chase Field was the first stadium to have a retractable roof. And unlike some of the other stadiums that have followed in its path, Chase field does not use artificial turf. Therefore, the roof stays open as long as possible to allow the grass to get as much sunlight before it’s closed so that the stadium can be cooled.
While my seats in left field offered a great view of the field, it appeared that there isn’t a bad seat in the entire stadium. Perhaps no one can say that better than those sitting in some of elegant suites situated around the stadium. One of those suites, located in right center field, is another first for a ballpark. That is because Chase Field is the first stadium to have a swimming pool and hot tub in the outfield. It can be rented out as a suite and it holds 35 people. What better way to watch a ballgame while you are relaxing in the pool.
Chase Field has designed its stadium in a way that sets it apart from other major league stadiums. Arizona continues to be the Mecca of baseball and it is evident from the moment when one steps inside this stadium of firsts.
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