Phoenix

On Nearly Melting

Chase Field, 2008

Monday, June 30, 2008
Milwaukee Brewers vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
Chase Field
Major League Baseball, National League
Phoenix, AZ
6:40 PM


Outside the Game:
I left El Centro in the early afternoon to finish the drive out to Phoenix. Upon arriving at my hotel, I got out of my car, and my brain nearly broke trying to process the information that it was actually hotter here than in El Centro. This was confirmed by the hotel manager, who said that it was, in fact, 115 degrees that day. He did give me an analogy that helped me process the situation more readily. He said that in the Northeast, there are several months out of the year where people don't go outside unless they have to because of the cold. In Phoenix, it is the same situation, but only switch cold and heat.

After a nap in a thankfully already-cold room, I drove out to Chase Field. This was a little of an adventure, as there are two one-way main streets through Phoenix, and one of them was under heavy construction to install a street car or some such.


At the Game with Oogie:
I was able to get seats right behind home plate, but only in one of the first rows of the "View" level, which was still a great seat, given the bargain price.

Sitting next to me was a gentleman in full Mets attire. It turns out that he and his fiance were visiting her family in California (where he caught some Mets-Angels games), and they were taking in a game in Phoenix on their way back East.


The Stadium & Fans:
Chase Field was the first of the retractable dome parks that I would see this trip, and the dome for that night's game was thankfully closed, the air conditioning system keeping the seats about 30 degrees cooler than if we had been exposed directly to the merciless, merciless sun.

The stadium itself was nicely appointed, with the de rigor promenade level going around the playing field, various food choices and the play area for the kids. The dome design was well done, so it didn't seem as claustrophobic or convention-centery as, say, Tropicana Field.

Outside of the dome, the major unique points in the stadium are the Jumbotron that was clearly built on a bet on how big one could build a Jumbotron, and the hot tub area out in left field.

For a mid-week game, it was well-attended, and the fans were enthusiastic. There were a lot of bailers who left as soon as the game looked to be decided, but I can hardly blame them, as they were probably ecstatic to be able to walk around outside without bursting into flames, as the night temperature dipped to a frigid 85 degrees.

One puzzling item was the number of Brewers fan in attendance. You can explain a large showing of away fans for the Mets, Yankees, Red Sox, or Cubs, as they seem to have fans everywhere, but the stadium may have been up to half Brewers fans. I was able to talk with a group of said fans after the game, but they were drunk and originally from Boston, and apparently didn't like black basketball players. Needless to say, I didn't get the most insightful information from them on the mysterious Milwaukee-Phoenix juncture.


The Hot Dog:
The "Diamond Dog" was another brat-sized hot dog, this time in a toasted bun.


The Game:
Both teams put up two runs in the first, but the D-Backs pitching settled down after that, while their offense broke out in the fifth on their way to a 6-3 win.


The Scorecard:

Brewers vs. Diamondbacks, 06/30/08. Diamondbacks win, 6-3.

The scorecard was part of the $3 program. It was spacious with large boxes, and although it was on shiny paper, it was possible to erase and re-write without difficulties.


Oogie's East Coast Connection of the Day:
See "At the Game with Oogie."


The Accommodations:

Phoenix Airport EconoLodge, Phoenix, AZ

As I had to fly out to Denver the next day, I stayed at the EconoLodge by the airport, which was exactly what I needed it to be: cheap, quiet, cool, and literally right next to the airport. As the game was an early start, I was able to get back to the hotel at a reasonable hour and get a full night's sleep while still rising early to get my flight.

Click here to see all the pictures from this trip.

2008 West Coast