Review by Jeff Summers, Stadium Journey Correspondent
Chase Field
FANFARE Ratings: 28
Food: 4 – some of the unique offerings include homemade tamales, Hungry Hill Sandwich, sushi, and garlic fries. The sit down restaurants are more upscale and offer a new menu for each opponent. Beer comes in several sizes including Small 14 oz ($4), Large 24 oz ($9), 16 oz bottle ($7), 22-24 oz bottle ($10.50)
Atmosphere: 4 – the retractable roof with specially commissioned music is great, natural grass, and of course the swimming pool in the outfield is unique. The upper deck kid’s Sandlot with miniature replica of Chase Field is great for families. Good sightlines from all seats.
Chase Field Retractable Roof
Neighborhood: 4 – located in the heart of downtown and adjacent to the US Airways center there are a lot of spots to choose from for pre and post game activities. With the new light rail you are able to continue the party all the way to Tempe.
Fans: 3 – most of the fans are transplants from other areas and there are times when they do not seem to know when to cheer. There are a few diehard fans but they are more of the exception than the rule. This probably should be expected given the team is only 12 years old.
Access: 4 – there are literally thousands of parking spots available within walking distance and prices seem to be based on proximity to the stadium. The stadium has an abundance of restrooms including family restrooms to allow parents to assist their children.
Return on Investment: 5 – Chase Field offers some of the most affordable tickets in all of baseball. The Diamondbacks are nearly always among the lowest prices in MLB. There are value items available at concession stands and in the team shop to make it affordable to every fan.
Etc.: 4 – it is a unique venue with the pool, kids club, arcade, and retractable roof. The team goes out of its way to cater to families and the fans are very friendly even to those wearing the opposing team’s merchandise. Guest relations was very helpful and the location of the stadium makes it easily accessible from all directions.
Taking in an Arizona Diamondbacks game at Chase Field is more than just watching a baseball game. The stadium is almost as big an attraction as the on-field product. Built in 1998, Chase Field has been the home for the Diamondbacks since their inception.
Located in the heart of downtown Phoenix, the ballpark is easily accessible by two freeways that connect Phoenix to the surrounding suburbs. Located just a block from US Airways Center where the Phoenix Suns play basketball, Chase Field shares many of the parking structures in the surrounding area.
Parking is available all around the stadium with prices ranging from $4 to $20 depending on the garage and the opposing team. Besides driving, you can also take the new Phoenix train which has a stop directly adjacent to Chase Field.
The stadium has been designed to have an old ballpark field with a brick facade and exposed steel. One of the first things you notice is the large retractable roof that opens in just over four minutes. On days when outside temperatures are below 95 degrees they will play with the roof open. During the hot desert summer the roof is closed during the game and the stadium is air conditioned to a comfortable 78 degrees.
With a seating capacity of 49,075 the park looks massive from the inside. The seats have all been angled towards home plate making it quite comfortable to watch a game without having to rotate and sit on the side of your seat to see the game action.
Chase Field has several unique features besides the retractable roof. There are large mosaic panels above the outfield that can be opened to provide more air flow and give the fans a view of downtown Phoenix and the surrounding mountains.
The playing surface is natural grass and the park is relatively symmetrical although there are several nooks and crannies that come into play quite often. Beyond the right field wall in center is a swimming pool that can be rented on a per game basis. When Diamondbacks players hit a home run fountains shoot off spraying water into the pool area.
Above center, Chase Field is the home to the largest scoreboard in baseball with a high definition screen measuring 144 feet wide by 55 feet high. During the game the scoreboard shows crowd images and messages that are amazingly clear and life-like.
Center Field Scoreboard
Food selection is rather varied and at several price points. There are three sit-down restaurants in the stadium. Above the left field bleachers is Friday’s Front Row Grill and above right field is the Arizona Baseball Club which offers gourmet food with the menu changing for each opponent. The third restaurant is actually located under the seats behind home plate, a unique perspective.
There is the standard baseball fare with some local offerings including homemade tamales and freshly made sausages. The Diamondbacks also offer an all-you-can-eat section in the second deck which always seems to be filled to capacity.
In the upper deck is a children’s area featuring a replica of Chase Field where kids can play wiffleball. There is also a high speed batting cage for the older kids. There are playgrounds with equipment in the upper deck and an arcade beyond the centerfield wall making it a very family-friendly venue.
Overall Chase Field has been designed to provide entertainment as well as offering a comfortable venue to watch a baseball game. The game staff is extremely friendly and properly staffed to handle any size crowd. A visit to Guest Relations showed that they offer booster seats for younger fans and if you tell them it is your first game or your birthday they will give you a button commemorating your event.
