DIAMONDBACKS HISTORY

Bank One Ballpark is home to the Arizona Diamondbacks, a 1998 Major League Baseball expansion team. The Bank One Ballpark is located in downtown Phoenix, on a site bounded by Fourth Street to the west, Seventh Street on the north and the Southern Pacific railroad tracks on the south, the ballpark is a state-of-the-art, retractable dome with a natural grass playing surface. Funding for the construction of Bank One Ballpark came from an increase in the general sales tax in Maricopa County. The construction manager for the project was Huber, Hunt & Nichols, Inc. The project architect was Ellerbe Becket, Inc., designers of such facilities as Atlanta's Olympic Stadium, the Rose Garden in Portland, Ore., Boston's Fleet Center and the construction of Madison Square Garden. Bank One Ballpark became the first stadium with natural grass and a retractable roof that closes in five minutes, with air conditioning. Shaped like a massive airport hanger, construction on the stadium began November 16, 1995. Bank One bought the naming rights, and the stadium was named Bank One Ballpark. Opening night for Bank One Ballpark came on March 31, 1998. Over 3.6 million fans filled Bank One Ballparks' seats, to see the Arizona Diamondbacks during their first year of play, and 15 million since their opening season. A four tier grandstand extends from the left field foul pole to homeplate, and around to the right field foul pole. Bleacher seats are behind both the left and right field fences. A 25 foot center field wall serves as the hitters back drop . Above it is the main scoreboard. The most unusual feature at Bank One Ballpark, is the swimming pool, which is located behind part of the right field fence. Besides the swimming pool, Bank One Ballpark has many other amenities. Memorabilia from the Baseball Hall of Fame is located at the Cox Clubhouse. Fans can find videos and displays detailing the history of baseball at the Fox Sport Net Arizona Diamondtown. Overlooking left field and third base is Friday's Front Row Sports Grill, which offers food and entertainment. More than 85 percent of Bank One Ballpark's 48,569 seats are located between the foul poles. There are 69 luxury suites located at the mid-level of Bank One Ballpark, as well as six additional party suites. The roof opens to various positions to make sure a proper amount of sunlight hits the natural turf without heating the concrete and metal within the stadium, thus allowing it to cool quickly and efficiently. With the roof in the closed position, the minimum height over the playing surface is 180 feet and the maximum height is 200 feet. The 17,000 square foot, state-of-the-art press facility is designed to accommodate the needs of both the electronic and print media. The Diamondbacks also have state-of-the-art practice facilities, including batting cages and pitching mounds within the stadium itself. A 1,500-car garage is constructed adjacent to the stadium. With an elevation of approximately 1,100 feet above sea level, Bank One Ballpark is the second-highest facility in the major leagues, trailing only Coors Field in Denver. Scientists have estimated that a fly ball will travel seven feet farther for every 1,000 feet of altitude. In 2001, the Bank One Ballpark saw a historical moment when the Diamondbacks won Game 7 of the World Series against the New York Yankees. Bank One Ballpark is also host to several concerts and other sports events each year. One event it hold annually is the Insight Bowl, a college football bowl game.