From its signature swimming pool to its retractable roof, Chase Field has become
one of the game's most recognizable landmarks in just a few seasons. Since the air-
conditioned facility first opened its doors to a regular-season game on March 31, 1998,
nearly 15 million baseball fans have enjoyed the opportunity to watch the Arizona
Diamondbacks without worrying about Phoenix's summer heat or monsoon storms.
Owned by Maricopa County, the 49,033-capacity ballpark joins nearby US Airways Center in making downtown Phoenix the sports hub of the Valley of the Sun. It is located just one block east of US Airways Center, home of the NBA's Phoenix Suns. The ballpark is bounded by Jefferson Street on the north, Fourth street on the west and Seventh Street on the east. Easiest freeway access is by taking the Seventh Street exit from either I-10 (turn south) or I-17 (turn north).
With an elevation of approximately 1,100 feet above sea level, Chase Field is the second-highest
facility in the major leagues, trailing only Coors Field in Denver. Scientists have
estimated that a fly ball will travel seven feet farther for every 1,000 feet of altitude.
The Structure
Ground was broken on Nov. 16, 1995, for a construction project that took 28 months and
cost $354 million. It was designed by Ellerbe Becket, with architect Bill Johnson as the design principal. John Wasson was the project manager for the Arizona Diamondbacks, with Huber, Hunt
& Nichols serving as the managing contractor.
The structure incorporates the traditional look of red brick and green structural steel in a
setting that blends into its surroundings. Many of the design details are borrowed from
the warehouse district that surrounds the Ballpark. One former warehouse, the Stern
Produce Building, is actually preserved and incorporated into the south facade of the
building. Appropriately, that former food warehouse is used as a commissary for the
Ballpark's concessions stands.
The retractable roof, comprising 9 million pounds of structural steel, operates on the
same tried-and-true technology found in drawbridges and overhead traveling cranes. A
pair of 200-horsepower motors open or close the roof in slightly more than four minutes,
utilizing more than four miles of cable strung through a pulley system. Each half of the
roof consists of three moveable trusses which telescope over a fixed end truss. The east
and west sides of the roof can operate either in unison or independently. Either side of the
roof can be opened to any position in order to maximize sunlight on the turf and
minimize it on the interior steel and concrete.
It took some experimentation before the turf at Chase Field hit the Bull's Eye. In
this case, it means Bull's Eye Bermuda, which was installed on the playing field over the
All-Star Game break in July, 1999, and proved the best solution to date for growing a
natural grass field in a roofed facility.
For the 2000 season, the playing field was Bull's Eye Bermuda, overseeded with
Kentucky blue grass and perennial rye grass.
Even though more than half of the Diamondbacks' games are played with the retractable
roof in a closed position, the turf receives sunlight at every opportunity. Even on game
days, the roof remains open into the afternoon to allow maximum exposure. When areas
of the field receive too little natural sunlight, large incandescent growth lights provide a
substitute.
The layout of the field includes a unique, visible feature that takes baseball fans at Chase Field back in time almost 100 years. There is
a dirt path between the pitchers mound and home plate, reminiscent of the paths seen in
very early pictures of the game.
In a way, that path is symbolic of the Chase Field experience: The best of baseball
history displayed in a setting that features all the modern conveniences.
The 8,000-ton cooling system is the equivalent of air conditioning for more than 2,500
typical Arizona homes. The system incorporates air handlers and a large cooling tower on
the south side of the Ballpark. The air handlers push 1.2 million cubic feet of air per
minute across cooling coils containing water chilled to 48 degrees (several degrees cooler
than an average residential system).
The system, which is designed to bring the temperature down by 30 degrees in three
hours, is configured to deliver cool air only to the seating areas and concourses. It will
not cool the entire volume of the Ballpark.
Because Chase Field is a baseball-only facility, its sight lines are second to no
other facility. More than 80 percent of the seats are inside the foul poles, and there is no
upper deck around the outfield. What's more, the seats down the foul lines beyond the
infield are slightly canted so that no fan will have to twist his or her body to look toward
second base and the pitcher's mound.
All lower-deck seating is directly accessible from the lower concourse, which is at the
same level as the outside pedestrian entry plazas and gates. The concourse itself is open
to the playing field so fans can stay in touch with the game while using the concessions,
merchandise store or other amenities.
The Insight Diamond Level concourse is designed to serve as a continuous lounge and
dining area servicing approximately 4,400 club seats. Above those seats are 69 private
luxury suites designed to offer the utmost in comfort and catering.
One floor up from the suite level, the upper concourse will seat approximately 20,000
fans. Escalators on the west side of Chase Field will take guests to either of the
upper levels.
Located on the Insight Diamond Level, the Sprint Business Center will create an
opportunity for product demonstrations and personal contact with companies using the Center
for pre-game meetings and other corporate functions.
Finally, behind the centerfield wall is the Picnic Pavillion with seats available to
individuals or groups. The Pavilion has picnic tables on tiers to allow approximately 600
fans a full view of the action while enjoying a picnic or family gathering. During the
1999 National League Division Series, a portion of the picnic area was converted into an
overflow press box.
On a warm evening in Phoenix, some folks like to relax around the pool. Others prefer to
go to the ballgame. Patrons of the Riviera Pools Pavilion at Chase Field will be able to
do both.
In re-creating an upscale Arizona backyard, the Riviera Pools Pavilion gives about 35 guests the
opportunity to see the Diamondbacks play while enjoying a swimming pool, hot tub,
fountains, catering and other amenities.
The Riviera Pools Pavilion is located next to the outfield wall in right-center. With the pool
approximately 415 feet from home plate, home runs occasionally make a splash. When a
Diamondback homers, water cannons celebrate by firing streams 30 to 35 feet into the
air.
Like any downtown sports facility, Chase Field utilizes the established parking
infrastructure for its guests. An attached 1,500-car parking garage provides parking
for guests on the Insight Diamond Level. Away from the park, downtown Phoenix boasts
some 33,000 parking spaces within a 15-minute walk of Chase Field. The
Diamondbacks estimate that about 15,000 spaces are necessary to accommodate a sellout
crowd.
Traditional baseball means organ music, and Chase Field has some of the best in
the talented fingers of Bobby Freeman. He moved into the major leagues without a hitch
in 1998 after being a long-time fan favorite as organist for the Pacific Coast League's
Phoenix Firebirds.
Ballpark
