Chase field

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.

Besides driving, you can take the new Phoenix light rail train which has a stop directly adjacent to Chase Field to get downtown.

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.  Beyond the right field wall in center is a swimming pool that can be rented on a per game basis (for about $6,000 a game!) 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. (from stadium journey)

Chase field with the roof retracted:

A view of Chase Field with the roof closed and the large 'shutters' also closed...

Riding the light rail to Chase Field is the easiest way to get downtown... This is the light rail and Valley Metro transit hub at 19th Avenue and Bethany Home Road by the Christown Spectrum Mall...

Inside Chase Field this was the view from my seat... it was still light outside at this point in the evening:

Zooming in on home plate and the pitcher's mound:

The "windows" on the side of the stadium open to let more breeze in and provide a great view of Downtown Phoenix and the Mountains...  The roof was fully retracted that night as it was a perfect 78 degrees outside!  You can also see the High Definition jumbo screen in center field... it is the largest screen in an MLB stadium at 144 feet wide and 55 feet high... its REALLY big...

The screen up close with the announcement of the attendance... 21,316 fans there, or about 45% of capacity... Chase Field can comfortably seat nearly 49,000 Diamondbacks fans:

The D-backs beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-2 and the had the obligatory handshake at the end of the 9th inning:

After the game and the fireworks they dim the stadium lights and light up the interior using the jumbotron as a giant nightlight: