Chase Field

Arizona Diamondbacks, National League

9/10

Despite being here a few times, I never got a good shot of the outside.

Looking in, you can see how it looks a bit like a permanent dome.

Looking out, it's a whole different story.

Chase Field is a favourite of mine, for a lot of reasons. Right in the middle of the "Stadium District" in downtown Phoenix, right across the street from what is now the Gila River Arena, it's part of a downtown that has signs of life outside of banker's hours. There's tons of parking, right across the street from the Arena is my favourite. Light rail runs right past the venue and the freeway system for the whole area points right at downtown. I did 6 years of Cactus League baseball in the area as well, so I know it well and have lots of memories here.

This is a retractable roof ballpark with some retro-modern elements, like those dark green seats and wide open concourses with polished concrete. I did two games in here in 2011, Game 162 versus the Dodgers, where I spent most of the night watching the out of town scoreboard to see if I needed to leave for Texas or not, a 2nd Division series game against the Brewers where Paul Goldschmidt cleared the bases with a grand slam off Shaun Marcum, then a spring training game in 2013 against the Reds, and two more that September against the Blue Jays, for a total of 5 times.

For those of you that don't like domes, I have news, Phoenix has to have one. The days I went to see them play the Blue Jays, the mercury sat at 41 degrees Celsius(105 F). 41! In the middle of the summer, it can go even higher, so unless you want a repeat of the Houston Colt 45s playing in oppressive heat all season, this is the way to go. I did see a game with the roof open and it was about as good as can be, especially with the large panels along the exterior wall facing the outfield that will open up as well. I'd give it a half point as it succeeds a little better than other retractable roof parks in resembling an open air park when the roof's open.

The atmosphere here is a little above average, the game versus the Dodgers was a little quiet, as the D-Backs had already locked up the division, but the playoff atmosphere was raucous to say the least. Baseball is probably 3rd most popular around here as the Suns and especially the Cardinals are also on people's radars around Phoenix.  I'd still say the fans here are slightly above average as far as being into the game.

The big plus here is the food, there are Fatburger stands all over the park and as much as I like it, I haven't eaten at one of them yet. The pizza stand features the triple threat pizza, which might be the best pizza outside of Chicago, that I've ever had at a game. Cold stone creamery and I believe some subway rounds out the selection, which is very broad. There isn't really a food item that screams Phoenix, but a good selection of good options more than made up for it.

Overall, if you're looking for a place to cool off in the midst of a brutal Phoenix summer, look no further. A 9/10 from me.

Update 2023: I have not been here in nearly 10 years, but the layout of the park has not changed much at all. There's been nothing I've seen regarding a replacement, even as it is about to enter its 25th MLB season. It's served it's purpose well.

Linescores

2011-09-28

                             123   456  789   R H E

Los Angeles(NL)   101  201 200  7 12 0 

Arizona                 000  000  005 5 7 0

Time: 2:47  Temp: 94F(Roof Closed)  Att: 41,791

2011-10-04

                      123     456     789   RHE

Milwaukee     001   000     000    1  3 1

Arizona          201   050     000    8  11  0

Time: 3:01 Temp: 75F(Roof Closed)  Att: 48,312

Note: Game Three of Division Series

2013-03-29

                      123     456    789   RHE

Cincinnati      000   000      101  251

Arizona         000    010      000  180

Time: 2:33 Temp: 85F  Att: 14,839

2013-09-02

                      123     456    789   RHE

Toronto         020     000     002   450

Arizona        000      000     001  140

Time: 2:19  Temp: 76F(Roof Closed)  Att: 21,014

2013-09-03

                      123     456     789   R H  E

Toronto          140    010     013    10 15 2

Arizona         000    120     100    4  7  2

Time: 3:00  Temp: 77F (Roof Closed)   Att: 19,100