It might be a scorching 100 degrees outside during the summer in Phoenix, but at Chase Field, you can step inside, enjoy the air-conditioned comfort, and even take a dip in a pool while watching the Arizona Diamondbacks play ball! Opened in 1998, Chase Field was the first stadium ever constructed with a retractable roof and a natural grass field. After Major League Baseball announced that Phoenix would be awarded an expansion franchise, plans for a new stadium were set in motion. Construction began on November 16, 1995, on a structure shaped like a massive airport hangar. Originally named Bank One Ballpark, the venue was rebranded as Chase Field in September 2005 following the merger of Bank One and JP Morgan Chase.

Due to Phoenix’s extreme summer temperatures, a traditional open-air ballpark wasn’t feasible. Instead, Chase Field was designed with a retractable roof, allowing the team to play outdoors during cooler parts of the season while providing a climate-controlled environment during the summer.

The Arizona Diamondbacks made their debut at Chase Field on March 31, 1998, before a packed house. In their inaugural season, over 3.6 million fans visited the ballpark to experience both the new team and its innovative stadium. The seating arrangement features a four-tier grandstand that stretches from the left-field foul pole to home plate and around to the right-field foul pole. Bleacher seats are situated behind both the left and right-field fences, while a 25-foot center-field wall serves as the hitter’s backdrop, with the main video scoreboard positioned above it.

One of the most unique features at Chase Field is the swimming pool located behind a section of the right-field fence. Fans can rent the pool area for a truly distinctive game-day experience. Beyond the pool, Chase Field offers many other amenities, making it a standout venue in Major League Baseball. Though the Arizona Diamondbacks are one of MLB’s youngest franchises, they achieved remarkable success early in their history, capturing their first World Series title in 2001 with a thrilling victory over the New York Yankees.

Following the 2018 season, the Diamondbacks announced a significant change to their playing surface, replacing the natural grass field with a state-of-the-art synthetic turf designed specifically for baseball. This switch addressed the challenges of maintaining natural grass in Phoenix’s desert climate, provided a consistent playing surface for players, and allowed the roof to remain closed during the summer, ensuring a comfortable temperature for fans.

Chase Field remains a symbol of innovation and fan-friendly design, offering a one-of-a-kind experience for baseball fans in the heart of the desert.

Chase Field Pictures