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Chase Field
Two Stadiums In One
After seeing games with the retractable roof closed and ones with it open, I can definitely say that I prefer Phoenix's Chase Field (known for years as Bank One Ballpark) better as an open-air park! With the roof closed, it reminds me of a cavernous gym, complete with a gym-esque roof panels (see the shot on the left above) -- with the added disadvantage of some pretty glaring strips of sunlight on the field. With the roof open, though, it is an enjoyable place to watch baseball. I know, I know . . . day games in the dead of summer would be unbearable without the roof closed and the AC on, but night games with the roof open is the preferable way to see the D-backs play. And by the way, the team makes a very big production out of opening the roof, as is happening in the righthand photo above.
The arrangement of seats at Chase Field is somewhat unusual. In other retractrable-roof ballparks, the foul lines typically run parallel to two outside edges of the structure. Not here. Instead, the foul lines run at 45-degree angles from the southern (long) edge of the rectangular structure, meaning far more seats are behind first base and third base than behind home plate (see above). For this reason, you want to be careful in picking out your seats, so click here for tickets at Chase Field. For more views of the stadium, click here.
BASEBALLPARKS.COM'S RANK AMONG ALL 30 MLB PARKS: 27th
RANK IN ITS DIVISION: 5th our of 5
RANK AMONG PARKS BUILT SINCE 1990: 21st out of 22
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