ballparks
ballparks
When I first arrived at BOB (as the stadium is so affectionately called, an acronym “Bank One Ballpark”) I headed toward the boxy structure on foot from a nearby parking lot. Even though you could fry an egg on the sidewalk in about 30 seconds, none of the vendors were selling hot dogs. Instead, they were selling bottled water. That’s how hot it gets in AZ in the summer.
The park is located, like many retro stadiums, in a revitalized area of downtown Phoenix. It’s near art museums, the convention center, and new condos, but just a few blocks away from low-rent industrial zones. At least that keeps the parking prices down.
Once you get over the heat and look up at the park, you realize what an imposing structure it is. Opening in March of 1998, the park looks like a huge box. It doesn’t haven’t that typical ball park shape from the outside. In fact, you might assume it’s a basketball arena.
One of the most interesting things about the structure is it’s retractable roof. BOB is the first retractable-roof stadium with natural grass field in the United States. It splits in the middle and can open in under 5 minutes. In fact, there is a roof opening song that was specifically scored to the exact amount of time it takes to open and close it. This is key in Phoenix as it get extremely hot (as well as the monsoons that can roll through). The air-conditioning works well... Otherwise Phoenicians would likely stay home and watch the game in the comfort of their own home.
The other fantastic thing about BOB is it’s swimming pool. That’s right, swimming pool. In right field. Not sure how you get to swim in the pool (I can only imagine how much it costs... and likely available only as a group rental which only large corporations can afford), but if you’re lucky you might catch a home run. If you don’t get hit on the head with said home run while playing Marco Polo.
Since I didn’t get invited to the pool party, I settled for a ticket on the first base side up high. And up high I was. In fact, I may have acquired a fear of heights from the upper deck. The stairs are so steep, that it’s a little freaky. It’s basically a black diamond ski run, and you feel like one missed step with your beer and peanuts and it’s yard sale time.
One of my later trips I went with a friend, Colin Tanji, to the game. We both ordered one of the foot long hot dogs. He got some sort of “western” dog with lots of chili. To this day, he considers it one of the best hot dogs he’s ever had. Just sayin’!
My one big beef is the amount of sponsorship that is plastered around the park. I know I should be getting used to it, but it seems especially in your face at BOB.
Update: Shortly after my visit the park was renamed “Chase Field” in September 2005 after Bank One merged with Chase.
Arizona Diamondbacks - Bank One Ballpark
Tuesday, September 7, 2004