Chase Field Looks to Expand Programming with Arizona State, NCAA

Chase Field opened its gates to Arizona State’s wrestling team on Saturday, Jan. 11, and, in doing so, became the first ballpark to host a collegiate wrestling event in history.  It marked the start of what Chase Field hopes will be an expanded partnership with NCAA athletics, not just for their own venue, but for MLB ballparks across the country.  Read more here.

As Season Rolls to a Close, Still Time to Gobble Up ‘SI Cover Dog’ and More

For Arizona Diamondbacks fans who like to stick to the basics at home games, peanuts, popcorn, and Cracker Jack remain obvious options.  But for those whose game-day taste borders on outrageous, Stephen Tilder, executive chef at Chase Field in Phoenix, has some options.  Read more and view photos here.

Speculating About MLB in Vegas

It was reported earlier this summer that officials in Henderson (NV) were quietly trying to lure the Arizona Diamondbacks from Phoenix (AZ), where efforts to build a new major league ballpark have stalled. And that was before Las Vegas Ballpark was christened and the Las Vegas Aviators (Triple-A, Pacific Coast League) began obliterating attendance records.  Read more here.

Henderson Tried to Bring Diamondbacks to Vegas Area

Last year, Henderson (NV) officials quietly began a push to lure the Arizona Diamondbacks from the team’s Phoenix home to their city. Although discussions have stalled, the move signals Henderson’s desire to grow as a professional sports-caliber city.  Read more here.

D-Backs Ballpark Renderings Leaked?

It is no secret the Arizona Diamondbacks are looking for a new place to play, but renderings of a possible stadium have apparently been mistakenly made public on the Internet.  Read more here.

County Settles Lawsuit, D-Backs Can Now Seek New Ballpark Deal

This past week, the Maricopa County (AZ) Stadium Board of Directors voted 4-1 in favor of settling a lawsuit that will give the Arizona Diamondbacks a chance during the next five years to build a new ballpark somewhere else in the county and leave Chase Field by 2022.  In exchange, the D-backs have to manage and maintain the existing stadium as long as they remain there.  Read more here.

D-Backs Strike Deal with County Over Chase Field Dispute

Maricopa County has struck a deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks over Chase Field that allows the team to immediately begin looking for another home if it drops a lawsuit arguing the county should pay $187 million in repairs.  Read more here.

Diamondbacks Introduce New Food Items

The Arizona Diamondbacks have introduced a host of new food items at Chase Field for the 2018 season, including a hot dog hot dog topped in carne asada, french fries, guacamole, queso and pico de gallo.  In the past, Chase has been the home to a bevy of hot dog options, including the cheeseburger dog, churro dog — and, naturally, churro dog 2.0.  Read more and see photos here.

Diamondbacks Will Use Baseball Humidor in 2018

Chase Field’s standing as one of baseball’s most hitter-friendly ballparks is subject to change.  The Arizona Diamondbacks officially will unveil a humidor for 2018.  The humidor – a climate-controlled chamber in which baseballs are stored – could drastically impact how hard balls are hit and, as a result, how far they travel.  Read more here.

Dollars Approved for Needed Chase Field Repairs, but No Upgrades

The Maricopa County Stadium District has approved a $3.75 million contract for additional improvements to Chase Field, home field of the Arizona Diamondbacks, but it falls far short of the $187 million in upgrades the team is seeking.  Read more here.

Salt River Fields Sets Spring Training Attendance Records

Salt River Fields at Talking Stick — the spring-training home of the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks — has set attendance records for this year’s Cactus League games.  Read more here.

Revolutionary Salt River Fields

Joe Mock from BaseballParks.com takes look at Salt River Fields — the impressive baseball complex near Scottsdale (AZ) that revolutionized MLB spring training.  An edited version of Mock’s article appeared in the USA TODAY Spring Training Preview on Feb. 22, 2017.  Read more and view photos here.

Diamondbacks Sue County Over Ballpark Lease

The Arizona Diamondbacks have filed suit against the Maricopa County Stadium District to ask for the removal of a clause in their contract that prevents the team from exploring other stadium options.  At issue is the $135 million in capital improvements that the Diamondbacks say the county must make to Chase Field.  Read more here.

Generals, D-Backs Agree to PDC

PRESS RELEASE –  2017 will mark the beginning of a new era for minor league baseball in West Tennessee, as the Generals and Arizona Diamondbacks announced a four-year player development contract Monday. With the agreement in place, the Jackson Generals will be Arizona’s Double-A affiliate through at least 2020.

Maricopa County Moves to Sell Chase Field

Maricopa County’s Stadium District Board of Directors unanimously voted Wednesday to sign a letter of intent, opening the door for Integral Group, LLC, to negotiate to buy Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks, for a minimum price of $60 million.  Read more here.

Diamondbacks Threaten to Leave Chase Field

The Arizona Diamondbacks are threatening to sue Maricopa County (AZ) to get out of their lease unless the county spends $187 million to repair/renovate Chase Field.  Read more and listen to press conference here.

Goodyear Managing Ballpark Financials Without AZSTA Funding

In the shadow of reports that the financial situation of the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority (AZSTA) could prevent the city of Goodyear (AZ) from receiving committed reimbursements from the organization for the construction of Goodyear Ballpark, Goodyear finance director Larry Lange has issued a public statement assuring residents that the city is financially okay without the payments.  Read statement here.

D-Backs Introduce Churro Dog

The Arizona Diamondbacks have announced a new addition to their ballpark food menu: the Churro Dog.  Priced at $8.50, the C-Dog is a hot dog bun-shaped chocolate frosted doughnut wrapped around a cinnamon pastry churro topped with a combination of frozen yogurt, caramel and chocolate sauce.  Read more here.

ICYMI (though we're not sure how), the Churro Dog is kind of a hit: http://t.co/qAu4MR7QEm pic.twitter.com/kPcuMrMSAZ

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) March 5, 2015

Cougars Reveal ‘Raging Cougar Ale’ As Organization’s Own Branded Beer

PRESS RELEASE – The Kane County Cougars, with the help of their fans and social media followers, have announced the name for the organization’s specialty Cougars craft beer. “Raging Cougar Ale”, created by Warrenville-based Two Brothers Brewing Company, was the consensus name as chosen by fans in a beer-naming campaign through the Cougars’ social media channels.

Hops, Diamondbacks Extend PDC

PRESS RELEASE – The Hillsboro Hops (@HillsboroHops), announced today that they have extended their affiliation with Major League Baseball’s Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) through the 2016 season. The Hops have been a Diamondbacks affiliate since 2001.

Ballpark Quirks: Chase Field’s Swimming Pool

In a new series called “Ballpark Quirks,” Sports Illustrated takes a look at the distinctive features and oddities that make up each of MLB’s 30 parks.  Up now:  Chase Field’s swimming pool.  Read more and view photo here.

Diamondbacks Introduce $25 D-Bat Corn Dog

The Arizona Diamondbacks have unveiled the new D-Bat Dog that will be sold at Chase Field this season for a cool $25.  It’s an 18-inch corn dog stuffed with cheddar cheese, jalapenos and bacon, served with a side of fries.  Read more here.

D-Bat Dog, Arizona Diamondbacks photo

Watch Nifty Time-Lapse Video Showing Conversion of Sydney Cricket Ground to Baseball (See Game Schedule Too)

The MLB Opening Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks will be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney (AUS) on March 22 and 23.  You can watch a cool time-lapse video here showing the conversion of the facility’s playing surface from a cricket field to a baseball field.  Go to mlbsydney2014.com to learn more about the Opening Series.  Below is the schedule:

MLB Makeover for Sydney Cricket Ground

Starting Friday, the Sydney Cricket Ground will begin its 20-day transformation into a baseball field in preparation for Major League Baseball’s Opening Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks on March 22 and 23.  Read more here.

Preparing Sydney Cricket Ground for Opening Series, MLB Facebook photo

MLB Coming to Sydney (AUS) Cricket Ground

Major League Baseball is coming to Sydney, Australia, as the Los Angeles Dodgers will play a two-game  opening series against the Arizona Diamondbacks at the Sydney Cricket Ground in March 2014.  Read more here.  Thanks to Graham Knight for the posting the story on Facebook.

New Hermosillo Ballpark Coming With a Little Help From the D-Backs

Executives from the Arizona Diamondbacks were in Hermosillo (Mexico) Sunday to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Hector Espino Stadium, home of the Hermosillo Naranjeros of the Mexican Pacific Winter League, while touring the site of the new very cool $40 million stadium currently under construction.  The D-Backs pitched in to help the

Rawhide, Diamondbacks Renew PDC

PRESS RELEASE – The Visalia Rawhide and the Arizona Diamondbacks agreed on a four-year Player Development Contract extension yesterday, ensuring that the D-backs will remain in the South Valley through 2016.

BayBears, Diamondback Extend PDC

PRESS RELEASE – Mobile BayBears Professional Baseball, Baseball America’s Minor League Team of the Year in 2011, announced today they have extended their player development contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The extension runs through the 2014 season and ensures the club’s Double-A affiliation with the 2011 National

Salt River Fields Named Ballpark of the Year

PRESS RELEASE – Baseballparks.com has been presenting its Ballpark of the Year Award since 2000, but never had a spring-training park won the honor.  Until now.

Zizzy, Other Mascot Friends Converge on Chase Field to Celebrate D. Baxter’s Birthday

Goodyear Ballpark‘s mascot Zizzy and other team mascots in Arizona visited Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks, to celebrate D. Baxter Bobcat‘s birthday.  D. Baxter has been the Diamondbacks’ mascot since 2000.  Zizzy was modeled after “The Ziz,” the $450,000 baseball-themed fiberglass sculture sitting outside of Goodyear Ballpark.  Read more here.

Baseball-Themed Cactus Statues to Celebrate 2011 All-Star Game

Major League Baseball has partnered with Forever Collectibles to create four designs for 10 baseball-themed cactus statues that will be placed in key locations throughout the greater Phoenix area for the 2011 All-Star Game.  Each statue will be over seven feet tall and weigh over 700 pounds.  Read more here.  View unveiling of first cool statue here.

Ballpark Visit ALERT: Salt River Fields at Talking Stick (Spring Training)

Digital Ballparks visits the new Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, the spring home for the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks.  Read more and view photos here.

Packing Them In at Salt River Fields, Attendance Down at Other Spring Ballparks

Fans of Spring Training are packing the house at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, the new spring home for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies, while attendance at the other Cactus League venues is down by 9 to 33 percent compared to last season.  About 8,50o per game were expected at Salt River Fields, but attendance has been averaging 10,334.  Read more here.

Salt River Fields at Talking Stick Opens For Business

Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, the new spring home for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies, had its grand opening on Saturday, and it was a resounding success.  Read more and watch video here.  View some great aerial photos of the ballpark during construction.

Rawhide, D-Backs Extend PDC

PRESS RELEASE – The Visalia Rawhide announced that they have extended their Player Development Contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks in a press conference earlier today.

Salt River Community, D-Backs-Rockies Break Ground on Complex

The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community and team executives held a groundbreaking ceremony on Monday for the new $100 million spring training complex for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies.  The development will include an 11,000 seat stadium, 12 practice fields, two clubhouses, ticket offices, and team shops.  It will be the first big league sports complex ever built on Indian land.  Read more and view photos here.

Diamondbacks Spring Home: Made in the Shade

The new spring training ballpark for the Arizona Diamondbacks being built by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community will provide shade for up to 85 percent of the 7,000-seat grandstand.  The $100 million spring training complex was designed by Dallas-based HKS Sports Design Group.  Read more here.