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D-backs Spring Training
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Spring Training Info
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| Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies Spring Training | Area Info - Scottsdale |
| Stadium | Location | Parking | Seating | Schedule | Hotels | Restaurants |
Salt River FieldsSpring Training home of the Diamondbacks and Rockies since 2011 Ballpark address: Opened: 2011 |
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The Cactus League's crown jewel stadium is at the center of a 140-acre complex that was built on land belonging to the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC) that was previously home to an 18-hole golf course. Although it has a Scottsdale address, the stadium is just barely east of that city's limits. It is visible from the Loop 101 freeway, which marks the eastern boundary of the complex.
Directions
Take Loop 101 (aka Pima Freeway) to the Indian Bend Road exit (#44) and go west until you come to Pima Road. Turn right (north) on Pima and the stadium is about a half-mile away on the right. Alternatively, the stadium can also be reached from the 101 by exiting at Via de Ventura Road (exit #43) and traveling west to Pima Road, onto which a left turn is made. Then the stadium is a short distance ahead on the left.
Time saving tip: Most fans arriving at the stadium exit the 101 at Indian Bend Road. But on game days when at least near capacity crowds are expected traffic can get backed up, although not necessarily where expected as Indian Bend Road does a good job at handling whatever load is on its road. The logjam begins once turning off Pima Road and onto the street that leads to the stadium's parking lot, where autos creep along slowly as a result of the constant stopping and going necessitated by having to pay parking lot attendants. There is, however, a way to avoid much of the backup, as a shortcut into the parking lot can be taken through the Pavilions shopping center. Just take Pavilions Boulevard, which is a quarter-mile away right turn at the first traffic light after exiting the 101, and after another quarter-mile you will have arrived at the side street entrance into the parking lot.
Parking
Lots scattered about the complex collectively hold an estimated 3,000 cars. The multiple lots - there are four - vary in size but all their spaces are paved. If needed, a pair of grass fields near the ballpark's home plate and left field gates can handle any overflow.
Cost: $5
Stadium Information
Salt River Fields is modeled after Camelback Ranch. Each were designed by HKS Architects and built by Mortenson Construction. Similarities include the listed price tag of the entire complex ($100 million) and a lake stocked with fish leading up to the stadium's main entrance. The two complexes are almost identical in size (Glendale's, at 141 acres, is an acre bigger) and each has walking trails from its parking lots that were designed to give fans intimate access to the dozen full-sized practice fields through which they weave. Fortunately for fans visiting Salt River Fields shade is plentiful in the grandstand, where it's mostly absent in Camelback Ranch, thanks to a uniquely designed roof that mimics the traditional Native American ramada. Such a touch is important to the group that funded the entire cost of the complex, the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. The motto for the facility they own is “Two Tribes. Two Teams. One Home.” The Pima and Maricopa tribes joined forces in 1879 and 130 years later they were able to lure the Diamondbacks and Rockies away from Tucson and to their reservation by agreeing to build the teams a home that they officially named Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on June 4, 2010. The name was chosen to pay homage to the tribes' heritage and to further their "Talking Stick" brand, which was first applied to a nearby golf course and casino.
Fast Facts
Types of Seating
All seats are of the chair back variety with armrests and cup holders. The berm spans the length of the outfield.
Notes about the seating
Sections and rows
1 to 12 in sections 101-102; 1 to 10 in sections 103-104; 5 to 12 in sections 105-108; 1 to 10 in section 109; 1 to 12 in sections 110-114; 1 to 10 in section 115; 5 to 12 in sections 116-119; 1 to 10 in sections 120-121; 1 to 12 in sections 122-123; 1 to 16 in sections 203-205; 1 to 14 in sections 206-208; 1 to 16 in sections 209-211; 1 to 14 in section 212; 1 to 16 in sections 213-215; 1 to 14 in sections 216-218; 1 to 16 in sections 219-221
Seats to avoid
Even for modern ballparks, this one is exceptional. The seats down the baselines, the appropriately named Baseline Reserve, would normally be the worst, but at Salt River Fields they are A) in prime autograph territory and B) angled towards home plate. So the fact they are the sunniest and furthest from home plate seats in the ballpark are offset by their best benefit and design. From berm to grandstand, and all standing spaces in between, this place was designed with sightlines in mind so no matter where you sit (or stand) you should be quite pleased with the view, which is a roundabout way to say there are no seats to avoid.
Seats in the shade
The stadium has a roof, but the only seats that it covers are those adjacent to the second story party decks. Fortunately, fans sitting in the grandstand are not forgotten, as the roof was uniquely designed to cast shade upon them. Widely touted by the tribes and teams as shading 85% of all fans in the 7,000-seat grandstand during the course of an afternoon game, the percentage of seats that are shaded at game time (1:10) is actually much smaller. Specifically, all rows in sections 205-211 will be shaded at first pitch, when most seats in section 212 also enjoy sun protection. As for the rest of the grandstand at game time, just about all the seats in sections below the cross aisle (i.e. the 100-level sections) are completely sun-drenched, while all of the above the cross aisle (200-level) sections enjoy varying levels of shade within their upper portions, which is defined as never below row 10. As advertised, around the middle innings of the game the total percentage of seats shaded has greatly increased: at 3:00 all above the cross aisle are and ditto for sections 104-112. If the game lasts three hours, basically the whole grandstand will be shaded, as at 4:10 only sections 101 and 123 get any sun.
VIP seating
At press box/suite level, open-air party decks are even with first and third base. Each is sponsored by a brand of reduced-alcohol beer (Coors Light and Miller Lite) and can hold 200 people, primarily in two rows of padded stadium seats. Behind home plate and atop the press box is the Pepsi Patio, which offers up to 400 people breathtaking views of the complex and its mountainous backdrop. The patio's primary seats are chairs stationed behind a drink rail that overlooks the field. In the roomy open space behind them are high-top bar tables then wicker chairs with cushions, which are set up around flat screen TVs. The stadium also has four 15-person capacity luxury suites.
Game Day
The ballpark's four gates all open 1 hour and 40 minutes prior to game time. That translates into 11:30 a.m. for day games that start at 1:10, which is the most common game time at Salt River Fields.
Food, drink and bag policy
Getting autographs
The official company line from the folks at Salt River Fields is: "Guests are permitted to 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." Well, that's somewhat true as the place where you want to be is correct but the timing is amiss since you want to be in those sections beginning 40 minutes prior to game time. From then up until the National Anthem is a great time period to get autographs at either location. Depending on the day, a lot more autographs may be signed in those areas after the game than before it. Given that they're the hometown team, the Diamondbacks seem to go out of their way to sign for their followers in the Phoenix area following the game. Their dugout is on the third base side of the ballpark and the four sections (120-123) between it and their bullpen in the left field corner are the places to be shortly after the final out is recorded. The opposite side of the ballpark is where the Rockies take up residence when they are at home and half of the four sections (101-104) between their dugout and bullpen are the collective spots to be. The reason that Rockies fans only have two good sections to acquire autographs in is that the tarp that is used to cover the field during bad weather is rolled up and stored in front of sections 102 and 103, a placement that generally puts the kibosh on opportunities there. But since the winter and summer locales of the Rockies aren't the same as their complex mates demand for autographs from Colorado-bound or hopeful players isn't as strong as it is for their always Arizona-based brethren so the two unobstructed sections -- 101 and 104 -- down the right field line are enough to handle the desires of the Rockies fans gathered there.
Unique ballpark fare
Local restaurants that sell their goods at concession stands include Crust Gourmet Pizza Bar and Salty Senorita. The headquarters for Cold Stone Creamery are next door to the stadium and the national chain's ice cream is served there. Seven styles of wieners are found at Home Plate Hot Dogs, whose location is part of its name. Vegetarians will find more options than normal, as specialty wraps, salads, bean burritos and sweet potato fries are part of the healthy selections line-up. For something quite clever, six bucks will get you the chocolate-covered strawberries and bananas on a stick item known as berrie kabobs. They are easy to find since vendors walk the aisles and concourses selling the confection. In all, the stadium has nine permanent concession stands and over 25 portable carts that are set up on game day. The ballpark is a Pepsi place when it comes to soda offerings and suds on tap are numerous. For example, here is the full rundown of the inaugural year selection of beer on draft that was found at various points of sale throughout the ballpark: Leinenkugel's Honey Weiss, Red Lager and Summer Shandy; Belgian White and Spring Ale by Blue Moon; the old standbys of Coors Light and Miller Lite; Mexican brewed Dos Equis and Pacifico, and locally-based SanTan Brewing's Devil's Ale, which is made just 22 miles away in Chandler.
2024 Diamondbacks Spring Training Schedule(only home games at Salt River Fields are listed) |
| February/March | ||||||
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| 24 Rockies 1:10 Tickets |
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| 25 White Sox 1:10 Tickets |
26 | 27 Rangers 1:10 Tickets |
28 | 29 Giants 1:10 Tickets |
1 | 2 |
| 3 Brewers 1:10 Tickets |
4 | 5 Padres 1:10 Tickets |
6 | 7 | 8 Cubs 1:10 Tickets |
9 Reds 1:10 Tickets |
| 10 | 11 A's 1:10 Tickets |
12 | 13 Rockies 1:10 Tickets |
14 Royals 1:10 Tickets |
15 | 16 |
| 17 Angels 1:10 Tickets |
18 A's 1:10 Tickets |
19 | 20 Rockies 1:10 Tickets |
21 | 22 Mariners 1:10 Tickets |
23 Guardians 1:10 Tickets |
* Single game tickets go on sale Friday, December 15. Links in calendar are to TicketNetwork inventory.
See the full 2024 Diamondbacks Spring Training schedule
2024 Rockies Spring Training Schedule(only home games at Salt River Fields are listed) |
| February/March | ||||||
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| 23 D-backs 1:10 Tickets |
24 | |||||
| 25 | 26 Dodgers 1:10 Tickets |
27 | 28 Angels 1:10 Tickets |
29 | 1 Mariners 1:10 Tickets |
2 Reds 1:10 Tickets |
| 3 | 4 Giants 1:10 Tickets |
5 | 6 Rangers 1:10 Tickets |
7 Royals 1:10 Tickets |
8 | 9 |
| 10 Brewers 1:10 Tickets |
11 | 12 Royals 1:10 Tickets |
13 | 14 | 15 Rangers 1:10 Tickets |
16 A's 1:10 Tickets |
| 17 | 18 | 19 Guardians 1:10 Tickets |
20 | 21 Cubs 1:10 Tickets |
22 | 23 |
| 24 White Sox 1:10 Tickets |
25 | 26 Brewers 1:10 Tickets |
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* Single game tickets go on sale Friday, December 15. Links in calendar are to TicketNetwork inventory.
See the full 2024 Rockies Spring Training schedule
Ballpark Area Info
Although Salt River Fields at Talking Stick is built on an Indian reservation, that reservation has been developed commercially by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community to become an entertainment destination, and as thus is anything but remote. Close to the stadium, the tribes' 15-story, 497-room Talking Stick Resort opened in 2010 adjacent to their always open Casino Arizona, which has 240,000 square feet of gambling space. Near the casino and resort is the Talking Stick Golf Club, a 36-hole public course that was designed by Ben Crenshaw's firm and opened in 1997. While much development has yet to take place, Scottsdale Pavilions (renamed The Pavilions at Talking Stick in 2011) has been open for two decades and contains numerous specialty stores, national retailers and restaurants on both sides of Indian Bend Road, which is the road most fans will arrive at the spring training complex by.
Travelers' notes
 Hotels close to Salt River Fields |
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| Distance | Hotel | Street Address | City/Zip | Phone |
| 0.1 miles | Days Inn | 7330 N Pima Rd | Scottsdale, AZ 85258 | 480-948-3800 |
| 2.9 | Scottsdale Suites on Shea | 10801 N 89th Place | Scottsdale, AZ 85260 | 480-314-1200 |
| 3.6 | Hampton Inn | 10101 N Scottsdale Rd | Scottsdale, AZ 85253 | 480-443-3233 |
| 3.6 | Holiday Inn Express | 7350 E Gold Dust Ave | Scottsdale, AZ 85258 | 480-596-6559 |
| 5.4 | Hyatt House Old Town | 4245 N Drinkwater Blvd | Scottsdale, AZ 85251 | 480-946-7700 |
| 5.7 | Holiday Inn & Suites | 14255 N 87th St | Scottsdale, AZ 85260 | 480-922-6500 |
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 Restaurants close to Salt River Fields |
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| Distance | Restaurant | Street Address | City/Zip | Phone |
| 0.6 miles | Oriental Garden Super Buffet | 8909 E Indian Bend Rd | Scottsdale, AZ 85250 | 480-362-1530 |
| 0.75 | Sweet Tomatoes | 9029 E Indian Bend Rd | Scottsdale, AZ 85250 | 480-991-6010 |
| 0.75 | Arby's | 9049 E Indian Bend Rd | Scottsdale, AZ 85250 | 480-905-1814 |
| 0.8 | Taco Bell | 9059 E Indian Bend Rd | Scottsdale, AZ 85250 | 480-596-1260 |
| 0.8 | 5 & Diner | 9069 E Indian Bend Rd | Scottsdale, AZ 85250 | 480-949-1957 |
| 0.85 | YC's Mongolian Grill | 9120 E Indian Bend Rd | Scottsdale, AZ 85256 | 480-948-8011 |
| 0.9 | McDonald's | 9140 E Indian Bend Rd | Scottsdale, AZ 85256 | 480-443-0080 |
| 0.9 | Denny's | 9160 E Indian Bend Rd | Scottsdale, AZ 85256 | 480-991-2909 |
| List your restaurant or bar |
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 Airports close to Salt River Fields |
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| Distance | Airport | Airport Code | ||
| 17.1 miles | Phoenix Sky Harbor International | PHX | ||
| 129 | Tucson International | TUS | ||
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