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| - Scottsdale Stadium is a great place to be seen wearing orange. But since no one looks good in orange, I wouldn't recommend it. The home of the San Francisco Giants is the 9th stop on my Cactus League stadium tour. This is a familiar facility since I've attended a few Arizona United soccer games here. Still, I was excited to catch my first ball game in downtown Scottsdale.
I nearly missed getting to this stadium for the most annoying reason. Luckily, I found a $14 ticket for the lawn on a Monday night. Thanks for offering the evening game Scottsdale! But what the hell!? I had a chance to catch a few other games here, but the lawn seats were $47! Each! Spring Training is suppose to be good cheap fun for everyone. I don't care that you think there are "premium games" based on who the visitor is. This isn't a freaking Bruce Springsteen concert! I digress...
The parking situation made a bad first impression. I arrived an hour early, hoping to get into the garage on the north side of the stadium. I drove all three levels and realized it was full. I didn't see anyone collecting money, so I presume it's free. My patience was rewarded with another free parking space down the street about a block away. As I walked back to the stadium, I could see that someone finally put up a "Full Lot" sign. Parking around this stadium is really, really pathetic.
Scottsdale Stadium was built in 1992. That might also be the age of the sound system. (Not good!) Still, it's impressive for a couple of reasons. It holds 12,000 fans and does it without a second deck. And the outfield features the tallest berms in the Cactus League. Seriously, the lawn seating is nearly as high as the bleachers. Beware of right field. The slope is way too steep. I walked through left field on my way to my seat in right, and it didn't seem as steep. The lawn seating is different here. There are lots of trees, too many walls and fences due to the bull pen locations, and a light pole in front of the lawn in right field. Sitting in the outfield actually feels further away from the game.
There are a lot of bleacher seats down first and third. And they get the fans pretty close to the players. I haven't seen any players signing autographs this year until this game. But all those bleachers without any shade are doing a great job keeping the tanning salons out of the vicinity of the stadium.
And about the stadium... It's actually more interesting from the street side. I love the red brick and green steel. The main concourse under the stadium is actually very nice and spacious. But when you take your seat in the outfield, you are stuck facing one of the most uninspired press boxes ever. It almost resembles a poor take on a western storefront, which fits with the western theme Scottsdale is so fond of.
The game was entertaining, and the Diamondbacks beat up the Giants 7-3. My brat was also pretty good, and I got to enjoy a draft Anchor Steam IPA. I presume they have Lagunitas as well (saw an advertisement but not a vendor).
Finally, this footnote hasn't been mentioned in ANY of the previous eight stadiums I've been to this season. The lawn was disgusting after this game! There was garbage everywhere. Could've been the wind. Might have been the steep hill. Still, I blame the fans, not Scottsdale, for not picking up after themselves. Have pride in your team! And show some respect for where they play.
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