Dingers in the Desert
Major League Baseball was introduced to Arizona by Jerry Colangelo, the owner of the city’s NBA team, in March 1995. America’s Southwest was christened with its first professional baseball club: the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The D-Backs are one of the youngest teams in the MLB (along with the Tampa Bay Rays) and have an impressive resume for being the new kids in the league. The Phoenix-based squad has appeared in the playoffs five times, emerging as victors once in the 2001 World Series against the New York Yankees in a nail-biting game seven.
Since their inception into the league, the Diamondbacks have had their fair share of exceptional talent fill their rosters. The team is currently led by seasoned slugger Paul Goldschmidt and flamethrower Zack Greinke.
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Traveling America’s Southwest, you’ll pass national monuments, breathtaking landscapes, and the ultimate baseball sanctuary. That’s right, nestled in the epicenter of downtown Phoenix is the Diamondbacks home ballpark – Chase Field.
The stadium is shaped like a gigantic airport hangar and was the first ballpark to feature a natural green grass field and retractable roof. The roof allows fanatics to celebrate the D-Backs during the intense summertime heat that scorches the region. Another unique feature: A swimming pool and bubbling hot tub behind right field. Yes, you hear that right.
The 8,500-gallon pool allows fans to cool off in the Valley of the Sun while watching America’s pastime. If you’re lucky, a homer may just sink your way. That said Chase Field is no stranger to home runs – producing a total of 221 dingers during the 2016 season.
The stadium is capable of hosting more than 48,000 Diamondbacks fans, and poolside tickets sell out in a blink of an eye.
Taking a dip in the pool may be enticing, but nothing rivals the adrenaline rush one receives from catching a home run ball from the convenience of a seat. Check out our home run heat map below to see which sections will boost your chances of showcasing that souvenir long ball in your trophy room.
Chase Field, Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix, Arizona
There are several home run hot spots along the outfield fence, specifically just beyond right and left field – sections 103, 104W, 105, or 139, 140W, and 141. Taking a dip in the pool also increases the likelihood of a long ball landing your way. If those seats are sold out, then try snagging a spot near the right field bullpen, or sections 105 and 107W. Chances are pretty high if you’re situated in left-center field, which converts to sections 143 and 144 on the seating chart.
Whether you’re going for a quick dip in the pool or are looking to catch a home run ball for yourself, be sure to head over to Fanatics and stock up on the latest Diamondbacks fan gear and apparel!
Sources
- http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teams/dbacks.shtml
- http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/history/mlb_history_teams.jsp
- http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ARI/
- http://www.ballparksofbaseball.com/ballparks/chase-field/
- http://rare.us/entertainment-and-culture/these-10-ballparks-have-totally-random-oddball-features-you-wont-see-anywhere-else/
- https://www.si.com/mlb/strike-zone/2014/04/11/ballpark-quirks-chase-field-swimming-pool-arizona-diamondbacks
- http://www.hittrackeronline.com/detail.php?id=2016_3244&type=ballpark&sortm=true_dist&sort=desc
- https://seatgeek.com/venues/chase-field/seating-chart
