Construction on the park began in 1996, and was finished just before the Diamondbacks' first season began, in 1998. It was only the second MLB stadium at the time to have a retractable roof. It was also the first ballpark to feature natural grass in a retractable roof stadium.
It hosted Games 1, 2, 6, and 7 of the 2001 World Series between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the New York Yankees. The Diamondbacks, who won all four games at The BOB, won the world championship that year in dramatic fashion. With the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning of game seven, D-Backs outfielder Luis Gonzalez sent a single over the head of Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter to score the game winning run from third base. The Diamondbacks overcame Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera, arguably one of the greatest postseason closers of all time, to claim the state of Arizona's first major league professional championship.
Costs for the stadium were originally estimated at $279 million in 1995, but cost overruns pushed the final price to $364 million.
Chase Field's roof is opened or closed depending on the game-time temperature. When the decision is made to close the roof, it is left open for as long as possible before game time in order to keep the grass alive. Even when closed, the park's design allows just enough sunlight to play in true daylight without overheating the stadium.
The roof is closed three hours before game time, and a massive HVAC system drops the temperature inside the park 30 degrees by the time the gates open. Chase Field also has a swimming pool, located in right center field, which is rented to patrons for $6,500 a game. The ballpark also features a dirt strip between home plate and the pitcher's mound, one of only two current ballparks to do so. This dirt strip was very common in old-time ballparks.
One drawback to the park's design is that foul territory is somewhat larger than is the case for most ballparks built in the 1990s. With 80% of the seats in foul territory, the upper deck is one of the highest in the majors. However, the park's luxury boxes are tucked far under the third deck, which keeps the upper deck closer to the action.
The stadium also hosts occasional concerts and international soccer games. For football and soccer, the field is set up with the end lines perpendicular to the third-base line and temporary bleachers added on the east side.
It hosted Games 1, 2, 6, and 7 of the 2001 World Series between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the New York Yankees. The Diamondbacks, who won all four games at The BOB, won the world championship that year in dramatic fashion. With the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning of game seven, D-Backs outfielder Luis Gonzalez sent a single over the head of Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter to score the game winning run from third base. The Diamondbacks overcame Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera, arguably one of the greatest postseason closers of all time, to claim the state of Arizona's first major league professional championship.
Costs for the stadium were originally estimated at $279 million in 1995, but cost overruns pushed the final price to $364 million.
Chase Field's roof is opened or closed depending on the game-time temperature. When the decision is made to close the roof, it is left open for as long as possible before game time in order to keep the grass alive. Even when closed, the park's design allows just enough sunlight to play in true daylight without overheating the stadium.
The roof is closed three hours before game time, and a massive HVAC system drops the temperature inside the park 30 degrees by the time the gates open. Chase Field also has a swimming pool, located in right center field, which is rented to patrons for $6,500 a game. The ballpark also features a dirt strip between home plate and the pitcher's mound, one of only two current ballparks to do so. This dirt strip was very common in old-time ballparks.
One drawback to the park's design is that foul territory is somewhat larger than is the case for most ballparks built in the 1990s. With 80% of the seats in foul territory, the upper deck is one of the highest in the majors. However, the park's luxury boxes are tucked far under the third deck, which keeps the upper deck closer to the action.
The stadium also hosts occasional concerts and international soccer games. For football and soccer, the field is set up with the end lines perpendicular to the third-base line and temporary bleachers added on the east side.
© 2006 by "DiscoveringArizona Inc." · All Rights Reserved · E-Mail: jayq@discoveringarizona.com
Chase Field is best known as the home of the National League's Arizona Diamondbacks. Chase Field was originally named Bank One Ballpark after Bank One of Chicago, giving rise to its nickname ("The BOB"). After Bank One merged with New York-based Chase, the name change was announced on September 23, 2005.
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