Tempe Diablo
Stadium / Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Year Opened |
1969; renovated in 1993 and 2006 |
Capacity |
9,785 |
Dimensions |
340L, 420C, 360R |
Playing Surface |
Grass |
Address/Directions |
Take
Broadway Street exit off I-10 (coming from either
direction); travel west on Broadway to 48th Street; turn
left; Tempe Diablo Stadium is 1/2 mile on the left.
Enter ballpark by turning left on Alameda. |
Written by: |
Kevin
Reichard |
Rating |
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The entrance to the ballpark was updated in 2006.
The best ballparks in
Arizona for Cactus League baseball are by and
large the old ones -- like
Scottsdale
Stadium, Phoenix Municipal Stadium and Hi
Corbett Field. All have been significantly updated
through the years,
but
they still retain a historic charm.
Chief among these
older ballparks is Tempe Diablo Stadium, currently
the spring home of the Los Angeles Angels of
Anaheim. It opened in 1968 and was the spring home
of the Seattle Mariners between 1977 and 1993; it
was then renovated and then became the spring home
of the Angels. When it opened, one of the best
things about the ballpark was its scenic location
next to the buttes of Tempe; that's still true
today despite some dramatic renovations to the
ballpark.
The buttes dominate past the outfield wall.
Tempe Diablo Stadium
sits in an industrial area off I-10; there are no
amenities near the ballpark and nothing to do
except take in the action. That's OK for the
thousands of Angels fans making their way to
Arizona for spring training: the ballpark is comfy
and intimate, with the berm -- a great addition to
the ballpark -- a popular spot for the college
crowd. Some attend spring training for fun in the
sun, but Tempe Diablo Stadium attracts the
hardcore Angels fans: a spring game features a sea
of red in the stands and plenty of cheers for the
"home" team.
Like every other
spring-training venue, player entrances are
dominated by autograph hounds.
The ballpark is set up
with a familiar concourse in back of the seating
bowl, with a structure containing suites and the
press above. The concourse extends past third base
to a corner picnic area and berm wrapping around
the foul pole, extending to the batters' eye. The
left-field corner also features a large grill --
be prepared for some long lines -- and a picnic
area.
A new picnic area was added in 2006.
One byproduct of the
2006 renovation was the addition of minor-league
training facilities; previously the minor-league
Angels squads had trained at Gene Autry Park,
located a distance away.
There is nothing
spectacular about Tempe Diablo Stadium: no
signature ballpark item save perhaps the many
steps leading up the concourse (indeed; the front
of the ballpark does resemble a bunker). Still,
for the Angel faithful and sun worshippers, it's a
comfortable, intimate place to watch a ballgame.
Concessions
A decent selection of beer is available,
including Gordon Biersch, Sam Adams, Blue Moon and
Leinenkugel's, of all things (no, we're not quite
sure how a Sunset Wheat brewed in the north woods
of Wisconsin translates to the multicultural crowd
at an Angels spring game). The grill features
burgers, brats and hot dogs, while other
concession stands offer Biersch garlic fries and
other ballpark staples.
Parking
Attending a game at Tempe Diablo Stadium can
be a nightmare, even if you arrive early. There's
basically only one entrance into the ballpark: S.
48th St. off Broadway and I-10. You can try
approaching from the south and making your way
through side streets, but we doubt that will be
help you much.
There is limited
street parking in the area (and the cops are
certainly out patrolling for scofflaws,
particularly on weekdays when local businesses
need their parking lots), so most game attendees
will park in one of the two parking lots
straddling the ballpark.
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