Arizona Diamondbacks Spring Training - Colorado Rockies Spring TrainingDiamondbacks and Rockies Spring Training Home is both Historic and Modern
Both baseball teams moved their spring training home to the greater Phoenix area, joining the other 13 teams already playing there. Although this unfortunately meant the end of Tucson spring training, it also marked an important new beginning.
Both the Colorado Rockies and the Arizona Diamondbacks now share a beautiful, modern spring training facility — Salt River Fields at Talking Stick — on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community along the eastern edge of Scottsdale.
While the two teams aren't the first to share an Arizona spring training baseball site, they are making history by having the first Major League Baseball spring training location on Native American land. Both teams wanted a state-of-the-art stadium offering the ultimate baseball fan experience. The $100 million, 140-acre Arizona Diamondbacks spring training and Colorado Rockies spring training complex features an 11,000-seat ballpark at its center, 12 practice fields, Major and Minor League clubhouses, training facilities and offices. A three acre artificial lake provides water for the irrigating all of the fields and also attracts a number of birds. The new Arizona Diamondbacks spring training and Colorado Rockies spring training site was quite popular its inaugural spring training season. The ballpark has numerous fan-friendly elements including the most shade and lawn seating of any baseball stadium, easy in-and-out access, affordable ticket prices, and panoramic mountain views. It also has a 24-foot by 48-foot LED video screen, the largest video screen of any spring training facility. Plus, the teams offer plenty of seating options priced in the $8 - $15 range.
In addition to being a custom, state-of-the art ballpark, the Rockies spring training and Arizona Diamondbacks spring training stadium showcases the rich and diverse cultures, histories and artistry of the Salt River Pima and Maricopa tribes. The ballpark's location has commanding views of several famous landmarks including Camelback Mountain, the McDowell Mountains, the Four Peaks, the Superstition Mountains and Red Mountain, which is a sacred peak to the Salt River Pima and Maricopa peoples. Hosting ball games on their lands is nothing new for these tribes. Historically, many cultures throughout the Americas played ball games. There have been more than 200 ball courts unearthed in Arizona alone. Colorado Rockies spring training and Arizona Diamondbacks spring training is a modern continuation of this ancient tradition. Mortenson Construction was the general contractor for the stadium, having built numerous sports facilities across the nation. HKS Architects designed the Arizona Diamondbacks spring training complex. Both firms also collaborated on the design and construction of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox's Glendale Camelback Ranch ballpark, which opened in 2009 in Glendale, Arizona. The two teams played against each other for the inaugural game at Salt River Fields on Saturday, February 26, 2011. See the Arizona Diamondbacks spring training schedule and the Colorado Rockies spring training schedule.
Salt River Fields at Talking Stick SeatingFans cross a bridge over a small water feature that flows into the lake on the right. From here, you'll get views of the practice fields and batting cages as you enter the Salt River Fields at Talking Stick ballpark.The Rockies clubhouse is on the first base side and the Diamondbacks are on the third base side. A nice plus is that the stadium faces northeast, providing the most shade for the grandstand, a big difference from most other Arizona spring training sites. As a matter of fact, Salt River Fields has the most shade seating of any Arizona spring training stadium. By midway through the game, about 80% of the seats should be in shade. Those looking for the best shaded seats will do well to choose seating along the first base side. Instead of the traditional brick or block grandstand facade, the stadium has an open layout with a graceful, overlapping grandstand roof above the seating area. Fans enter on the concourse level, walking into a bowl of 7,000 seats, which includes some premium seating on the press box level.
For those who love lawn seating, there are two outfield berms that seat 4,000 - the most of any Cactus League ballpark. There's also separate concessions and restrooms for the lawn seating too. Salt River Fields also has three party decks. The Coors Cold Zone is on the 1st base line. The Miller Light Taste Zone is along the 3rd base line. The Pepsi Party Deck sits atop the press box. Access is $19 per person and allows you to wander freely through all three party decks. The party decks have a lounge-like atmosphere with tall bar stools, high-topped tables, lounge seating, patio areas, and great views as well as offering different food tastings.
Food & Drink at Salt River Fields at Talking StickYou won't have to worry about missing any of the action when you go grab a bite to eat because the concession stands on the concourse have good views of the field as well as the nearby minor-league game fields too.Salt River Fields has a wide variety of concessions, so there should be something to eat for just about everyone.
Along the third base concourse is the Cattle Co. Grill, Dos Rios southwestern food, Home Plate Hot Dogs and Native New Yorker for wings. Near first base you'll find Crust, a gourmet pizza bar, The Show, with traditional ballpark fare and the Salty Senorita's taco bar. A variety of mobile kiosks found throughout the stadium serve cotton candy, Italian ice, fresh-squeezed lemonade, kettle corn and fresh-brewed ice tea. We really liked the stir-fried vegetables and noodles (meat optional) at the Island Noodle cart. Kids will love the Cold Stone Creamery Kids Area, which has a whiffle ball batting practice and other play areas. There's also a Cold Stone Creamery Cool Cart where you can buy ice cream. It's located on the main concourse in right field.
Getting Autographs during Arizona Diamondbacks Spring Training & Colorado Rockies Spring TrainingSalt River Fields intimate stadium design allows baseball fans the opportunity to wander the trails from the parking lots to the stadium and through the complex past all twelve practice fields, similar to the U.S. Open Tennis Center in New York.This arrangement allows fans to walk alongside players to get autographs and take pictures. Diamondbacks officials also created a designated spot in left field near the clubhouse where players can meet with fans and sign autographs. Otherwise, fans can seek autographs from players along the railing between sections 101 – 104, and 120-123 up to 40 minutes prior to game time, or until the end of batting practice, whichever comes first. The Centerfield Gate, located on the eastern part of the main stadium, opens 2 hours and 40 minutes prior to game time for those who want to view batting practice. The remaining gates will open 2 hours and 10 minutes prior to game time. Salt River Fields asks that you please be considerate by not inconveniencing guests seated in these areas.
Parking for Arizona Diamondbacks Spring TrainingRockies and Arizona Diamondbacks spring training fans shouldn't have any trouble parking at Salt River Fields as there are over 3,000 parking spaces.
Access points into the baseball complex are off of Via de Ventura, Pima and Indian Bend roads. If you are an Arizona Diamondbacks spring training fan, you can park on the northwest side of the complex. To easily access the Rockies' fields, go to the lot on the southern end. Day-of-game parking costs $5.00 in all lots. RV and bus parking costs $15.00. Salt River Fields parking lots open 3 hours prior to game time. Parking passes can be purchased in advance at the Salt River Fields ticket windows. Disabled Parking: The disabled drop-off area is located across from the centerfield gate on the east side of the ballpark. For alternatives to Loop 101, you can use Pima, Indian Bend, Via de Ventura, McDonald Drive and 90th Street to get out of the area, which is heavily traveled by the 4 p.m. commute time.
Hotels, Restaurants and Attractions Near Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks Spring Training
These Scottsdale accommodations are some of the closest to the Colorado Rockies & Arizona Diamondbacks spring training ballpark. They include hotels, suite style lodgings and smaller resorts, all with convenient locations and quick access to the freeway.
If you want to be near where the action is, downtown Scottsdale hotels are your ticket. Stay here and you'll be close to dining, shopping and night life as well as Scottsdale Stadium. These hotels tend to fill up fast during spring training, however, so book your room early.
Downtown Restaurants in Scottsdale AZ Looking for a good spot to eat before or after the game? One of the many downtown restaurants in Scottsdale make a good option. Downtown is a short drive away on the freeway from Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks spring training. You'll have a widest variety of eateries to choose here too.
Although there is a Diamondbacks or Rockies spring training game almost every day, you may find yourself wanting to do something post-game. Luckily, there are plenty of Scottsdale attractions, both nearby the stadium and out in the desert.
The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian CommunityTwo distinct Native American tribes form the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.
The Pima, Akimel O'Odham, are the "River People". The Maricopa, Xalychidom Pipaash, are the "People who live toward the water". Both once farmed the lands along the Gila River, but were forced to move to the lower Salt River in search of better irrigation for their crops. The Pima have lived in the Sonoran Desert for centuries. The Maricopa, a Yuman-speaking culture, once lived along the Colorado River but were forced off their lands by other Yuman groups in the early 18th century. Today, the Salt River Pima-Maricopa have over 8,700 enrolled tribal members.
Their lands comprise 52,600 acres with 19,000 acres held as a natural preserve. About 12,000 acres are farmed and cotton is one of their most important crops. The towns of Fountain Hills, Scottsdale, Tempe and Mesa all border the Community. The Community's commercial development properties are located along the Loop 101 Freeway, which is the Community's western boundary. They also own and operate a number of businesses including two Casino Arizonas, the Talking Stick Golf Club and the new Talking Stick Resort.
Fast Facts: Salt River Fields at Talking Stick BallparkTickets:Arizona Diamondbacks Spring Training Tickets Colorado Rockies Spring Training Tickets Salt River Fields Address: 7555 North Pima Road, Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Phone: 480-270-5000 Location: Salt River Fields at Talking Stick ballpark is north of Indian Bend Road on the west side of the Loop 101 Freeway, a few miles north of the Pavilions Shopping Center, on Scottsdale's east side. Directions: You can reach Salt River Fields one of two ways: 1) From Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) northbound: 2) From Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) southbound: Number of Seats: 11,000 including 4,000 lawn seats. Accessible seating is located throughout the stadium. See the complete Arizona Baseball Spring Training Schedules Note: This Rockies & Arizona Diamondbacks spring training information was accurate at the time of publication. All contact information, availability, access, directions and prices should be confirmed directly with the facility before making reservations and/or travel plans. Return to Arizona Spring Training Baseball Locations and Teams
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