Monday, November 15, 2010

field day... Baseball in Scottsdale

field day…
BASEBALL IN SCOTTSDALE


If you have not heard, the Salt River reservation area continues to boom with development despite the current economic woes. Fresh off the completion and opening of the new Salt River Talking Stick Casino and Resort is the new baseball project from the Salt River Indian Community. Visible off the Loop 101 freeway and Indian Bend Road exit is the site of the brand new Cactus League spring training facilities for both the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies.

According to the Arizona Republic, the design of the new field has been rendered to incorporate the greatest fan experience possible.  When finished the 100-million dollar ballpark will be positioned to the northeast in order to create the greatest amount of shade for fans. Talk about a relief. Even during the months of spring baseball it can get a bit warm in the afternoon sun. As you enter the ballpark, fans will be able to see batting cages as well as practice fields. I could see my sons thoroughly enjoying this experience when they were younger.  What a great way to experience the game from practice to competition!  If that was not enough, the design of the concession stands allows fans to continue to watch the game without the hindrance of a grandstand. A completion date is set for February 2011, just in time for teams to arrive for practice.

I could not be more excited for this new addition to the Scottsdale area. This project is intriguing on many levels. For one, at the very least this is sure to bring foot traffic throughout the area. I would hope this would benefit the Scottsdale Pavilions shopping district immensely as it is less than a mile from both the casino and baseball field. As a resident of Scottsdale/Paradise Valley for many years I have witnessed the highs and lows of this once-busy shopping area and can only hope future development will continue in this plaza enrich the Scottsdale district.

Those who live in the same vicinity that I reside will find that the field is a mere five to ten minute trip down either Via de Ventura Rd. or Indian Bend Rd. from Scottsdale Rd. Given the popularity of baseball I would believe Scottsdale spring time will be a very exciting time as surely surrounding restaurants, hotels, etc. will benefit from the afflux of traffic. It makes for a great way to spend the day. Lastly, it’s simple. Baseball, hotdogs, popcorn, watching young ones gleam with excitement, Scottsdale weather IN March! What’s not to love?