Chase Field: A Great Place to Relax or Go Crazy

Ever since the Diamondbacks were founded in 1998, I have been a huge fan of not only the team, but the stadium itself. I remember the first game I went to so vividly. I had been to Suns games and I always thought, as a small child, that it was such a huge place. Compared to Chase Field, US Airways Center, where the Suns play, is a minuscule place. Chase Field dwarfs it in many ways, and the first time I laid eyes on it I was amazed. Of course back in 1998 it was called Bank One Ballpark, or just, "The BOB," for short, and was changed to Chase Field in 2006. Walking up to the ballpark I was so excited to watch my first professional baseball game, which was strange because I didn't particularly like baseball that much up until Arizona was given a franchise. It is known as a hitter's ballpark, and it is never short of home runs each season. This makes the games a lot more exciting, but can also be detrimental to our own pitchers who try their best to keep the ball in the park. The mood in the ballpark before the game is always so electric, the sound of the crack of the bat as the players take BP, and the cheers from the crowd as a fan makes a nice catch in the outfield bleachers. The smell of the food in the ballpark is mesmerizing to the nostrils. It makes you want to sample everything they've got. The humongous screen in center field shows you all the stats from around the league and when you see them you want to start talking baseball with another enthusiast.

Chase Field (BOB) In Construction

Gonzo Celebrating After Game Winning Hit

We played the San Fran Giants, and I remember sitting in the upper deck. We did win the game, and if my memory is as good as I think it is, Barry Bonds homered that game. Ever since that game I have been hooked on baseball. Nothing quite rivals going to the ballpark for me, and I cherish every opportunity I get to spectate. I can only think of two or three times when I've gone to a game and they have lost. I'm pretty sure I am good luck in some ways. I have had the pleasure of watching both Randy Johnson, and Curt Schilling pitch back in the glory days of Dback's baseball. I always say if there is one moment I could time travel back to, I would travel to Game 7 of the 2001 World Series, and I would take the best seat in the house. Right above the Yankees dugout to watch Luis Gonzalez celebrate down the first base line, and see Jay Bell run into Matt Williams arms at home plate as my favorite team hoisted there first trophy. I would also have the call from Greg Schulte, the Dbacks' radio broadcaster in my ear. "A little blooper!! BASE HIT!!! DIAMONDBACKS WIN!!! THEY"RE THE WORLD CHAMPIONS!!!" I get goosebumps just thinking about it.

More Celebration

In more recent years, I still attend games in my free time to revisit the majesty of the mammoth ball park I know and love. In 2011, the Dbacks were National League West Champs, and Kyle Schuster and I went to games 3 and 4 of the series. We didn't get home field advantage over the Brewers, so we had to play two out of three in Milwaukee. Games 3 and 4 were by far the most exciting games I have ever attended. It's amazing how much more exciting playoff baseball can be. A highlight for me was when Paul Goldschmidt cranked a grand slam in Game 3 to give us a sizable lead to work with. Every fan in the park knew he was going to hit it, and when he did the roof nearly collapsed with all the cheers. I remember jumping up and down and high-fiving everyone around me. These are the good times that Chase Field and the Dbacks have given me and I will never forget them. Hopefully I can get to many more games in the future to support the team I have grown up with and loved.

Chase Field from Home Plate