Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43
Scottsdale Stadium 7408 E Osborn Rd Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Year Opened: 1992
Capacity: 12,000
The Giants of Scottsdale
In 1957, the MLB Giants team left New York for San Francisco and returned to Phoenix as the San Francisco Giants in the spring of 1958. The Giants moved their spring training to Scottsdale Stadium in 1984, and that venue has been their spring home for almost 40 years.
The city renovated the stadium a few years ago in a phased approach. The renovations included:
Upgrading the practice fields beyond the center and right field fences
Revamping the right field Charros Lodge (including adding shading), making it a popular party deck for spring training games
Refining and expanding the clubhouse, making it a year-round community event center for the city of Scottsdale
Expanding and renovating the main entrance to allow for a larger audience
Upgrading the bleachers, including adding a standing room area with drink rails on the first base side
Improving the building maintenance structure with updates to safety codes, HVAC, Wi-Fi, etc.
It’s a beloved place for spring training as the San Francisco Giants are very popular and have a dedicated, enthusiastic fan base. And Scottsdale is a fantastic Arizona city for a spring visit.
Food & Beverage 4
Fans can get a good assortment of food, snacks, and beverages at Scottsdale Stadium.
Food kiosks abound throughout the entire concourse. A few permanent ones are on the inner concourse. Expect a queue during the game. Our advice is to get there early to avoid the wait. Vendors roam the stands selling cold beer, water, and peanuts. If that’s all you’re looking for, use their services.
Traditional ballpark fare is sold including dogs, bratwurst, nachos, pretzels, pizza, peanuts, and other snacks ($6.49 - $9.49). Other menu items consist of cheeseburgers, mac & cheese, rolled tacos, salads, and fruit ($2.99 - $12.49).
An Island Noodles cart is on the third base concourse, and you certainly can’t go wrong with one of their wok-fired soba noodle choices ($14.99).
Beer and cocktail concessions abound the concourse. The prices are noticeably higher here than in other Cactus League venues. Beer sells for $14.99 (domestic) and $15.49 (premium). Ouch. Different kiosks sell different beer selections. Check around if you have a preference. Canned cocktails and seltzers are $15.49. A stadium pour is $18.99, and fans can purchase margaritas for $15.49 - $18.49. Coca-Cola brand soft drinks run $6.99. Spring training visitors can fill their own water bottles at the stadium’s water fountains.
Atmosphere 3
The seating areas at Scottsdale Stadium consist of traditional green fold-down stadium seats on two levels with a walkway between the seating areas. The second level has nine to ten rows of metal bleachers with backs after row O. The second level has handrails to get up the steps, but they don’t extend to the top rows. Seats beyond the baselines do not face toward the infield (the stadium was built just a few years before that innovation was discovered). The outer baseline seating is bleachers without backs.
Scottsdale Stadium does not offer cup holders in any of the seating areas. The seats are tight. The rows have average legroom. Nets extend across all seating areas down to the foul poles. Net-free seating is only in the berm area.
The Charros Lodge, a shaded party deck for VIPs with tables, chairs, food, and drink is in right field above the home bullpen.
Charro Saloon, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey
Small courtyards dot the outfield concourse and have picnic tables and/or games. These are nice places to relax before the game.
On day games, most seats get the sun the entire game. Sit in the infield second level (sections 211/311 - 212/312) to be in the shade. Check the weather before heading to the game. You may have to bundle up for an early-season or evening game, even in Arizona.
The announcer’s voice is clear; no music is played during announcements. You can hear what’s being said. When the music person does broadcast music, the volume is pleasantly subtle; not obtrusive.
The third base inner concourse houses a big souvenir store with all kinds of San Francisco Giants merchandise. Satellite shops line other parts of the concourse.
Neighborhood 5
The ballpark is adjacent to a thriving downtown neighborhood. Within just blocks (a walking distance of less than a mile) are many areas to eat, drink, shop, and sleep. It is a very safe neighborhood in which to stroll and visit.
Recommended places to eat in downtown Scottsdale are Karsen’s Grill (an exceptional small bar/eatery), Los Olivos Mexican Patio (Mexican and margaritas), and The Mission Old Town (modern Latin cuisine). Goldwater Brewery (an independent local brewery) is a half-mile walk from the stadium. For many other restaurants and bars in the neighborhood, check here for a directory to find others that might suit your tastes.
For places to spend the night, Old Town Scottsdale has many hotels, several within walking distance of Scottsdale Stadium. The Courtyard Scottsdale Old Town, the Holiday Inn Express, and the Comfort Inn Old Town Scottsdale are within a mile of the stadium. Be aware hotel prices skyrocket during spring training.
Besides strolling through the downtown area, other things to see and do within walking distance of the stadium are the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts and the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art.
Other sports to visit when in town are the other East Valley stadiums: Salt River Fields (Diamondbacks and Rockies), Sloan Park (Cubs), Tempe Diablo (Angels), and Hohokam Stadium (Athletics). A little farther away, hockey fans can catch a Coyotes game (Mullet Arena as of this writing), or basketball fans can watch a Suns’ game at Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix. Just five or so miles south of Scottsdale, fans can catch ASU basketball, softball, or baseball.
Fans 4
The Giants fans are decked out in their orange and black shirts, jerseys, and caps. They are usually one of the top drawing teams in the Cactus League. In fact, it gets so crowded fans even must show their tickets to sit in the lawn area. The team is averaging around 6,000 fans per game so far for spring training 2023.
It’s a casual crowd, as are most spring training crowds, but there is an enormous baseball crowd every game.
Scottsdale Stadium Fans in Stands, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey
Access 2
Scottsdale Stadium is at the corner of Drinkwater Blvd and Osborn Rd in downtown Scottsdale. The major highways in Phoenix do not go near the stadium. The Loop 101 Pima Fwy is easily the closest, a few miles east of Scottsdale Stadium. The city is performing loads of road construction on Osborn Rd this 2023 season. Don’t go that way; instead, use Scottsdale Rd.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is the closest airport (only nine or ten miles from the stadium). Taking public transportation is doable but requires some walking and a transfer or two. Check Valley Metro’s Plan A Trip to see if that’s an option for you.
Once at the stadium, the closest public parking area is the Civic Center Library Garage, next to the ballpark on Drinkwater Blvd. The garage is free and will fill up for spring training games. It is near the third base side entrance (which has a ticket booth). The stadium and city do a poor job of identifying and providing handicapped parking. Only three wheelchair spots are noticeably available in the parking area just in front of the stadium. The sign at that parking lot says the lot is full and reserved for players and staff, which is unfortunate for those who really need to park close.
Getting through security is relatively easy. Small bags are allowed in the stadium. Only purses 9” x 5” or less and clear sports bags 12” x 12” x 6” are allowed. Security still needs to search the clear sports bag.
Serviceable bathrooms are open along the inner concourse.
Fans can walk the entire concourse around the field. The pathway is not convenient for those in wheelchairs as a portion of the outfield path is grassy and hilly.
Return on Investment 2
Attending a San Francisco Giants spring game is expensive. It is not family affordable.
Berms seats are $59 for games against popular teams like the Dodgers. That’s insane for a spring training game. But the Giants fans pay it. Prices are a bit more affordable for weekday games against non-rivals like the Chicago White Sox ($18 - $40), but in my opinion still too high.
Beer is expensive. Food is expensive. Hotels are expensive.
Parking is free, so that helps.
Military individuals get 10% off ticket prices. Be sure to ask for that discount if getting tickets at the stadium.
Extras 4
Scottsdale Stadium boasts the Arizona Fall League Sports Hall of Fame. The wall of the main inner concourse has plaques near the bathrooms on the first base side. That wall has a lot of great baseball history on it.
The neighborhood deserves an extra mention because of the many things to see, do, and eat downtown.
The city of Scottsdale took the effort and expense to upgrade and renovate the facility, ensuring the Giants will have a spring home for many years to come.
Gates open at 11am, two hours before the first pitch for day games.
Final Thoughts
The best part of attending a spring training game is striking up conversations with other fans and visitors. Most fans just want to talk baseball and share their stories. Doing this at Scottsdale Stadium is easy as the venue is small and intimate, and music isn’t blared over the speakers. It’s not an affordable outing, but it is enjoyable.
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