Chase Field

401 E Jefferson Street

Phoenix, AZ 85004

August 24, 2018

Thanks to the guided tour earlier in the day, we got to see most of Chase Field already so we didn't have to get to the game as early as we typically do to explore. Game time was 6:40 pm and gates opened at 5 pm. We found a small street lot near the park for $20. According to Lisa's weather app, it was 102 degrees.

Outside the stadium, we took our traditional photos:

 

As you can see, we're already sweating. After security, we stopped and took what's now becoming our traditional All Star Game photo: 

We wanted to check out food options and get a photo of the roof closed. We headed up to the 300 level. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While wandering around, we found what the D-Backs call, "The Legends." The Legends include Randy Johnson (Diamondbacks' most beloved player it seems), Luis Gonzalez, Mark Grace, and Matt Williams and they race around the warning track in the top of the 6th inning. It's hilarious. Here's a video for your amusement.

 

 

 

Randy Johnson was Serena's favorite. If we hadn't bumped into them wandering around, we would've been able to meet them over by Baxter's Den following the race. It was fortunate that we met them prior to the race because when we looked over at that section from our seats, it was a mob scene.

We had a hard time with food options here. Nothing peaked our interest, but the heat did do a number on our appetite. We did check things out so that we could report back to you. This is what we found:

*The Double Headers concession stands offer $2 value items and $4 draft beers
*There is a Churro Dog for $10.50
*Specialty hot dogs that look like they'd make you spent the night in the bathroom after eating them: the Tot Dog, Asada Dog, Sonoran Dog, and Chicken Enchilada Dog.
*Taste of Chase stand offered vegan and other healthy dishes like the Field Roast Vegan Dog, the Classic Vegan Burger,  Chicken Kale Caesar salad, and the Sonoran Vegan Wrap.

What we ended up choosing was your basic soft serve in a helmet cup for $8. Lame, we know. Both of us got the swirl option, but Serena went with rainbow sprinkles and chocolate syrup and Lisa ordered rainbow sprinkles and crumbled oreos.

 

Here's a view of our seats right above home plate, our favorite view of any field. You'll notice the dirt path leading from home to the pitcher's mound. This is called a "Catcher's Walk." Chase Field included this in their field design as a nod to the old school ballparks. They were the only ballpark in the league to boast this feature until Detroit opened Comerica Park. Copy cats.

There was a woman in the 300 level that brought a sh*t ton of flags in and spent the entire game alternating flags and performing choreographed moves. Lisa obviously videoed her. There's probably a special place in hell for people like us who photograph and film total strangers in their element. And then upload it to their blog. A blog that no one reads.

Lisa decided that when she's old and grey, she too will be traveling to games and performing with flags.

In the 4th inning, you can meet Baxter at his Den in the Sandlot. We needed to do that. There was no question. It was practically a moral imperative. It should be noted that we were second on line. Behind a small child. A very small child.

Baxter is kind of a bad kitty. He arrived on the scene and threw his couch cushions around.

The game did not go so well for the D-Backs. The matchup was Zack Godley of the Diamondbacks and Erasmo Ramirez of the Mariners. It was a borderline ass kicking with some effort on the part of the Diamondbacks to stage a comeback. The final score was 6-3.

Post game, the roof opened in order to accommodate the fireworks show. The arena immediately became twenty degrees hotter. As promised by the John the tour guide, the roof only took four minutes to open.

 

 

 

Immediately following the fireworks show, there was a performance by a Christian rock band, but we didn't stay for that because we didn't care. To each his own.

We got back to the hotel in 10 minutes, which was a nice treat compared to what we're accustomed to dealing with in New York. Usually it takes us anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour and a half.