Bank One Ball Park - Home of the D'Backs |
Bank One Ballpark is where the Arizona Diamondbacks call home. The facility joins America West Arena in downtown Phoenix. The venue resides at 1,100 feet above sea level and is the second highest facility in the Major Leagues. The $354-million ball park was completed in 28 months from the time ground was broken on November 16, 1995. The red brick and green structural steel blends the venue into its surroundings. The design details match those from the warehouse district in which the park is located. |
Capacity: 49,033 Address:
401 East Jefferson Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85004 Dimensions:
Left field - 328'
Left-center - 376'
Center field - 402 '
Right-center - 376'
Right field - 335'
2004 Attendance:
Home Games: 81
Total Attendance: 2,519,560
Percent Capacity: 63.4%
Rank (by Pct. Cap.): 15th
Per-Game Average: 31,105
Rank (by Average): 15th |
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Like Safeco Field in Seattle, Bank One Ballpark includes a retractabe roof. The 9 million pounds of structural steel that comprise the steel roof can be opened or closed in around four to five minutes. Each half of the roof consists of three moveable trusses that can be adjusted so that either side of the roof can be positioned in order to maximize sunlight on the field while minimizing it on the interior steel and concrete.
ue to the heat of the southwest desert, Bank One Ballpark is air conditioned with an 8,000 ton cooling system. The powerful system can cool the temperature by 30 degrees in three hours and offers fans a comfortable environment for all games. Additionally the concourses of Bank One Ballpark offer open views of the field from anywhere in the park. Therefore when one is utilizing the concessions or merchandising facilities, one can keep an eye on the game. As for the seating, there are no seats in Bank One Ballpark that are obstructed and seats down the foul lines beyond the infield are kinked slightly toward second base and the pitcher's mound to add comfort to one's neck.
Probably the most unusual aspect of Bank One Ballpark is the MasterCard Pool Pavillion. The area resembles an upscale Arizona backyard more than a ball park facility. Included in the pavillion is a swimming pool, hot tub, fountains, and catering amenities. Situated next to the outfield wall in right-center, the pool resides 415 feet from home plate. Occassionally a homer drops into the pool itself!
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The D'backs took high school short-stop Stephen Drew with their first pick in the 2004 draft. But Drew, who is |
| represented by Scott Boras, was out of the D'backs' price range going in and had not signed him as of late January. This selection widened the rift between then-managing general partner Jerry Colangelo and the rest of the ownership group, eventually leading to Colangelo's departure. |
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Major League Baseball Tix |
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Carlos Quentin's professional debut was highly anticipated after having surgery to repair an elbow ligament |
following his college career at Stanford. He did not disappoint, having one of the more solid offensive seasons in the minors. Between Double-A and high Class A, he hit .339 with a .435 OBP, and showed impressive power with 33 doubles, 21 home runs and a .561 slugging percentage.
Very strong and athletic, he drives the ball hard to all fields and has good bat speed. He is an aggressive hitter, but is disciplined at the plate (0.76 BB/K). By standing on top of the plate, he set a minor league record by getting hit by a pitch 43 times last season.
Quentin has the type of throwing arm that can alter a game, possessing outstanding on-line carry, and he covers sufficient ground in right field. With an outfield opening in Arizona, a good performance in spring training could land him a job in the majors. |
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